Stories from Monday, March 10, 2003

Entry 1532, "Colton Checking the Corn" (left), by Connie Guernsey of Parks took first place and $50 in the Gazette's People, Pets and Places Photo Contest for February. Entry 1529, "Lincoln waters -- Hey, I think I know you!" (below) by Marcy Ham of Benkelman won $35 for second place. Entry 1437 "Not for sale" (below, left) by Brenda Kincaid of Parks took third place and $15 in the contest...

The family of Mildred Mustion are hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday March 17. Her husband is Roy Mustion and her children are Richard and wife, Marlene, Margie and husband, Neal Hauxwell, Jean and husband, Richard Hester and Barbara and husband Brian Petersen. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 1107 Westridge Parkway, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Katherine Adams is hosting a card shower in honor of her 92nd birthday, March 17. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 704 West 14th, McCook, NE 69001.

The family of Doris Thompson is hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, March 15. Cards of congratulations will reach her at HC 68 Box 1, Stockville, NE 69042.

Carissa Ann Howell and Kyle Douglas Stritt, both of Minden, were united in marriage Jan. 29, 2003, at Heritage Hills Golf Course club house in McCook with the Rev. Steve Bales officiating. Parents of the couple are Thomas Howell of Grand Island, Natalie and Jim Rickel of Lexington, Dale Stritt of Indianola and Linda and Lee Maiden of McCook...

The family of Ron and Sandy Harpham of McCook is hosting a card shower in honor of the couples 40th anniversary, March 14. Children of the couple are Marc and Patty Harpham, Darrin and Shelly Harpham, all of McCook, and Scott and Kara Harpham of Portsmouth, Va. The couple has six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 303 East Sixth, McCook, NE 69001...

Dear Editor: We hear about the "benefits" of breastfeeding but the use of that word (benefit) implies that it offers something better than normal. Rather, breastfeeding allows a child to achieve their normal state of health. Unfortunately, the rates for exclusive breastfeeding drop off considerably in the early days of a baby's life. ...

If voting could make it rain, drought would be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, domestic and foreign political forces have conspired with Mother Nature to leave the Golden Plains just that -- golden brown, not greening as they should be with the approach of spring...

This year the American Cancer Society is taking a humorous approach to help people become more comfortable with colon cancer and the benefits of being tested. The society is using Polyp Man to grab people's attention and make them aware of the importance of testing for colorectal cancer...

Dear Editor, The meetings are over and now the time has come to digest the information and make the best decision for the education of our kids. There have been a lot of people expressing concerns and thoughts, some well-thought out and researched, others simply based on misperceptions and emotion. It is now time to forget small-village politics and do what is best for the children, economically feasible and has projected long-term viability...

Felicia McKenzie and Chad Christensen, both of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Jack and Nancy McKenzie of McCook and Dean and Sylvia Christensen of Lincoln. The bride-to-be is a graduate of the University of Nebraska of Lincoln with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. ...

Cassie Miller and Rick Spencer announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Mel and Jerry Miller of McCook and Rod and Deb Spencer of Culbertson. Grandparents of the couple are Carl and Augusta Miller of McCook, Opal Tincher of McCook and the late Henry Pollmann, Leo and Betty Rousselle of Culbertson, Kenneth and Stannis Spencer of McCook and Delphine Spencer of McCook. ...

Lawrence and Nancy Tinkham of Imperial and Rick and Tracy Ruggles of McCook would like to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Kelcy Ann to Jeffrey Ray. The bride-to-be is a 1998 graduate of Chase County High School. She attended Southeast Community College in Beatrice and is employed with Nebraska Bull Service, LLC of McCook. ...

A Blackhawk helicopter with medical markings leaves the McCook Municipal Airport on Saturday evening after a refueling stop. Reserve and National Guard activations, as well as troop movements and other activities are apparent as the United States moves closer to war with Iraq...

While cleaning out boxes left from the previous homeowner, Larry Mack of Casper, Wyo., came across an old, autographed baseball. After asking around with little success, Mack finally determined that the ball was signed by the entire McCook Braves' baseball team, which existed in McCook from 1956-1959. The Braves were one of eight teams in the Nebraska State League, a Class D organization created expressly for rookies...

Fred Pinkal (center) is assisted with a fresh air tank by Becky Yost, (from left) Adam Quinn, and Leslie Peterson. In the background, McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham and Red Willow Western Fire Chief Bill Elliot discuss plans as Mike Pochop watches crews prepare a house in the 1100 block of West B Street for burning. ...

The Red Willow County Health Department reminds parents that children starting kindergarten and seventh grade this fall will need to get their required school shots. School boosters can be given as early as four years of age. Because of the 6 month time period needed to complete the 3 shot hepatitis series, parents are urged to make appointments to start the series as soon as possible. ...

TRENTON -- Hitchcock County commissioners plan a public hearing Monday, March 17, at 1:15 p.m., in the courthouse in Trenton, to discuss the application of a grant to help finance the ethanol plant proposed east of Trenton. Commissioners are requesting a $608,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. ...

The first "I Am" statement made by Jesus carried with it a promise and a challenge, according to the Rev. Charles Hooton, pastor at First Assembly of God Church. The first Community Lenten message of 2003 drew a congregation of nearly 150 people to the sanctuary at First Congregational Church Friday afternoon...

YUTAN -- Surgeons in Boston plan an eight-hour surgery March 18, to stop the strokes suffered by the 21/2-year-old granddaughter of Bartley residents. Amber Nicole Norton suffered a major stroke about the same time she celebrated her second birthday June 2, last summer, and has suffered two, less severe strokes since...

"War or Peace: -- A Time of Decision," is the topic of the 2003 Norris Essay Contest, sponsored by the George W. Norris Foundations and McCook Community College. "The American philosophy accepts both sides of any issue, and patriots have not always favored war," according to the essay commentary. ...

The McCook Public Schools board of education will consider changing the effective date of West Ward's salvage declaration during its regular board meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., in the junior high conference room. In January, board members declared West Ward salvage, effective Oct. 1. After members of the public objected, the board, during a special meeting Feb. 28, agreed to a $10,000 study looking into modernization of the three existing elementary buildings...

Hayes Center -- William E. Smith, 66 died Wednesday (March 5, 2003) at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born May 25, 1936, to Earl Raymond and LaRue G. (Walbridge) Smith. He graduated from Palisade High School in 1954, and from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961...

CAMBRIDGE -- Bernard Karash, 87, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at the Cambridge Manor. He was born Dec. 23, 1915, near Cambridge, to John and Mary (Kaveny) Karash. He worked on the farm with his dad. He later bought a pickup and did deliveries around Cambridge for Ralph King at the Lumber Yard. He moved to the Cambridge Manor in 1989, and has lived there until his death...

SALEM, Ore. -- Otho Stone, 78, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at his home in Salem, Ore. He was born Jan. 6, 1925, in Hayes County, to Cecil and Zelma (Wright) Stone. He grew up in Hayes County where he attended school. He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers...

SELDEN -- Edward "Bill" Vaughn, 81, died Saturday (March 8, 2003) at Via Christi Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was born Nov. 4, 1921, in Medford, Ore., to Bert S. and Muriel (Custard) Vaughn. He was raised in Selden. He attended Selden Grade School and High School where he graduated in 1939. He attended Hays Electrical School in Chicago, Ill...

BENKELMAN -- Evert Leon Preston, 91, died Saturday (March 8, 2003) at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. He was born Jan. 30, 1912, on a farm near Oglesby, Okla., to Zachariah T. and Perlina J. (Chadwell) Preston. In 1927, the family bought a fruit orchard just outside of Harrison, Ark. ...

BEAVER CITY -- Estas "Bill" Williams, 83, of Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of the Beaver City and Precept area, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at a nursing home in Albuquerque. He was born Dec. 17, 1919, at Plattsmouth, to Calvin and Gladys (Cook) Williams. He was raised in the Precept area near Beaver City and Stamford. He moved to California as a teenager...

DRESDEN -- Cynthia "Cindy" Schillig, 48, died Sunday (March 9, 2003) at her home in rural Dresden. She was born Feb. 27, 1954, in Detroit Lakes, Minn., to Maurice and Leila (Yoder) Grieser. She attended grade school and high school in Washington, Iowa...

Last Sunday, the three M's (Mike S., Mike F., and Mike H.) played golf at the Village Course at Kapalua Golf Club in Hawaii. Except we weren't really IN Hawaii. We were at Golf Nutz in Kearney, an incredible place for all you golf fanatics who can't get on the course in the wintertime. The business is described as an indoor golf center by its' owners, Scott and Julie Nugent and Steve and Virginia Kearney...

Gardening was in the air in early spring of 1943. Everyone was planting a garden to help ease the rationed goods. Extension Service agent Clyde Noyes held a garden irrigation demonstration in the empty lot in the 1100 block of West Third in the evening of April 8. ...

In January 2002, McCook was chosen to be one of the few cities in the state to host the Barn Again! program of the Smithsonian Institute. That program proved to be very popular, and record crowds were drawn to the High Plains Museum during the month...

NORTON, Kan. -- Mildred Dean, 79, died Thursday (March 6, 2003) at her home in Norton, Kan. She was born Sept. 22, 1923, on a farm southeast of Dresden, to Ross and Mabel (Beckwith) Tice. She attended Fairview Country School and graduated from Dresden High School in 1941...