Stories from Thursday, May 1, 2003

A cast iron mechanical "Punch and Judy" bank ... a blue-and-gray crock milk pitcher ... a cranberry-red pickle caster with tongs. Collectors brought their favorite pieces to an antiques and collectibles appraisal program sponsored by Red Willow County Extension, and "oohed" and "aahed" when appraiser Bob Jones of Jennings told them the value of their pieces...

Dear Editor, Three years ago, voters voted FOR a city sales tax in McCook. As a result, the city was able to make several capital improvements such as the ballpark lighting, senior center expansion, swimming pool improvements, B Street highway project, just to name a few...

Dear Editor, Taxpayers of McCook have your wages gone up 35 percent in the past 32 months? (Example: September 2000, your salary was $24,000 a year. Is it now $32,400?) Has the value of your home gone up 35 percent during the same period? (Example: September 2000 it was worth $60,000. is it now worth $81,000?)...

Dear Editor, Have your tax dollars been spent wisely by the city of McCook? Should we give them sales tax receipts for five more years? These sales tax receipts will total approximately $6,000,000, depending on the economy and the fact that the state of Nebraska may broaden the sales tax base...

When we look back on the history of McCook, there will be few times as important for the future as the first 10 days of May in 2003. What sets this time apart is the crucial significance of two pending decisions: (1) The vote by the Nebraska Legislature on whether or not to continue funding for the Work Ethic Camp; and: (2) The vote by the citizens of McCook on whether or not to continue the one-cent city sales tax...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Matthew and Renee Werner of Colorado Springs, Colo., announce the birth of a daughter, Isabella Lauren, born Thursday (March 27, 2003). She weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long.Grandparents are Larry and Cheryl Wilkens of Colorado Springs and Larry and Dalene Werner of McPherson, Kan. Great-grandparents are Don and Mary Schwerdt of McDonald...

COLUMBUS -- Derek and Cheryl Ferguson of Columbus announce the birth of a daughter, Emily RaeAnn, born Sunday (Feb. 23, 2003). She weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and was 18 inches long. Grandparents are Dennis and Shirley Ferguson of Palisade and Bob and Fran Kaslon of Burwell. Great-grandparents are Raymond and Roberta Werkmeister of Palisade...

Guest at the 'Trends in Tourism' presentation at Sehnert's Bakery and Bieroc Cafe Tuesday listen to the Christners, a family of musicians. The Christners are (from the left) LeAnne (Christner) Miller, Tim Miller, LeAnne's husband, Jonathan Christner, Cheryl Christner and Craig Christner. ...

McCook members of the National Association of Letter Carriers will collect nonperishable food items for the McCook Pantry Saturday, May 10. Letter carriers ask patrons to place their food donations by their mailboxes before expected mail delivery Saturday, the day before Mother's Day. The food will be delivered to the Pantry Monday, May 12...

Colby Ellis of Culbertson can barely contain her enthusiasm these days. The single mother of four has been infused with hope since learning that she and her children have been selected as Southwest Nebraska's first Habitat Family. "I was stunned," Colby explained last week while at the McCook Housing Authority. "I knew I was neck-and-neck with someone else. I really didn't think I'd get it."...

Before moving on to the big issue of budget, the Nebraska Legislature will spend the final day of this week's agenda on clean up bills. Nebraska Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton told a group of 13 McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee members, next week the debate over the state's budget would begin in earnest...

It isn't every day my husband and I have the opportunity to spend good quality time together, but every once in a while the opportunity does present itself and we find something that can normally keep us occupied for several hours. Whether it's working in the yard or taking a hunting trip, I've come to really enjoy our little outings...

Anne Rosalie Lampman, 80, died Tuesday (April 29, 2003) at McCook Community Hospital. She was born April 21, 1923, at Imperial, to Marian and Francis (Lentz) Ady. On May 14, 1946, she married Robert E. Lampman in Reno, Nev. They resided in Trenton where they raised their four children. They moved to McCook in 1970...

STRATTON -- Georgia Fern Schleeman, 63, died at her home in Stratton on Monday (April 28, 2003). She was born March 28, 1940, at Rush Spring, Okla., to Owen Gore and Velma (Hilderith) Beck. She attended school at Dinuba, Calif., and then graduated from Beauty School...