Stories from Monday, July 28, 2003

The McCook National Bank Seniors are the Area 6 District Champions after defeating Holdrege 4-1 Sunday night at the Jaycees Sports Complex. Matt Serbousek picked up the complete game victory on the mound for MNB. Serbousek (5-3) held Holdrege to one run on three hits and striking out eight Holdrege batters...

The family of Carol and Orville Pinn of Culbertson is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th anniversary. They were married Aug. 4, 1964, at First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe. Their family includes daughter, Janel; son, Jon and wife, Heidi and two grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 715 Chase Street, Culbertson, NE 69024...

CARROLL -- The family of Ken and Susan Gansebom of Carroll, formerly of McCook, is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Route 1 Box 2AA, Carroll, NE 68723.

GRAND ISLAND -- The family of Gerald and Gladys Mullanix of Grand Island is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary. They were married July 31, 1953, in McCook. Their family includes Karen and husband, Emil Stichka of Grand Island and two grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 2415 North Grand Island Avenue, Grand Island, NE 68803...

Mark and Pam Weyhrich of Norfolk announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Amanda Kae, to Jay Steven Mollring, the son of Jeff and Sue Ann Mollring of McCook. The bride-to-be is a 2000 graduate of Norfolk Senior High School and a 2002 graduate of Central Community College in Hastings with a degree in information technology. ...

Sharon Vermeer of Lincoln and Mr. and Mrs. Randy Johnson of McCook announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Jessica Vermeer and Jeffrey Johnson. The bride-to-be is a 2003 graduate of McCook High School. She is attending McCook Community College and plans to receive a degree in office technology. ...

The family of Vernon (Sonny) and Eileen Shirley, formerly of McCook, is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary, Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m., program and a dance at the Elks Club in North Platte. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 2901 West C Street, North Platte, NE 69101...

Laci Collins and Jason Ingels, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Cheryl Collins, Duane and Jan Collins, and Bob and Kim Ingels, all of McCook. The bride-to-be is employed with Hillcrest Nursing Home and the prospective bridegroom is employed at Wal-Mart. The couple is planning an Aug. 23, 2003, ceremony at the home of Bev and Gary Premer in McCook...

Michelle Kemp of Lincoln and Charley Lofton of McCook announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Donald and Connie Kemp and Jean Pasco, all of Lincoln, and the late Elmer and Marie Lofton. The couple is planning a Sept. 1, 2003, ceremony at First Baptist Church in McCook...

At the end of World War I the United States was generally considered to have the mightiest military force in the world. Yet, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, our Army, Navy, and Army Air Corps had been allowed to deteriorate, to the point that recruits were forced to train with wooden rifles, the Navy vessels were outdated and worn out, and military airplanes were still primarily on the drawing boards. ...

The McCook Elks club, according to the June 22, 1943 Gazette, spent $25 for 10,000 cigarettes to be handed out to the soldiers on the troop trains through the McCook Canteen at the depot. "Under a new national program the cigarettes are sold at five cents per package to the organizations making the contributions. No federal taxes are paid on the cigarettes." The Elks had several donation boxes around town to collect money for more purchases...

Everyone knows that humans are creatures of habit. We get into ways of doing things and we seldom depart from that course, often times without any understanding or awareness of how the habit began in the first place. We do things a particular way because that's just the way we've always done them...

With the arrival of two more medical specialists in September, McCook will have the largest number of physicians it has had in more than a quarter of a century. "We are getting close to full staffing," said Brian Rokusek, the practice administrator at McCook Clinic. Following the arrival of Dr. Kathy Farrell, a pediatrician, in September, the clinic will have eight physicians and two physician's assistants...

In the days leading up to the "Arsenic & Old West" water conference in McCook, national efforts have been launched to help small towns raise the money needed to meet strict new federal standards. This past Monday, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico introduced legislation to create a $1.9 billion grant program to assist the communities, tribes and water associations that are struggling to comply with the arsenic limitation...

Ira Lee Howard, 22, of Hayes Center, died Saturday (July 26, 2003) near Hayes Center. He was born Aug. 24, 1980, to Jimmie E. and Marylin Rae (Richards) Howard at North Platte. He graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1999 where he played football and was a member of FFA. He attended voch-ag diesel tech school of the Mid-Plains Community College Area in North Platte...

Joshua Keenan Howard, 19, of Hayes Center died Saturday (July 26, 2003) near Hayes Center. He was born Nov. 24, 1983, to Jimmie E. and Marylin Rae (Richards) Howard at North Platte. He graduated from Hayes Center High School in 2003 where he played football and was a member of FFA...

The family of Bill and Lorie (Blume) Crocker of Indianola is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th anniversary, July 28. They were married in St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. Children of the couple are Cindy and husband, Kurt Van Den Hemel of North Platte, Brenda and husband, Rob McConville of Indianola and Adam Crocker of Indianola. They have one granddaughter. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at Route 1 Box 34, Indianola, NE 69034...

OBERLIN -- Tisha Masoner and Joshua Tubbs, both of Oberlin, were married at the gazebo in Heritage Park in downtown Oberlin, July 5. Parents of the couple are Brad and wife, Gloria Masoner of McCook, Donna Masoner of Oberlin, Wilbur Tubbs and wife, Janet of Bentonville, Ark., and Kendra Hicker and husband, Dave of Hill City, Kan...

On a muggy Saturday afternoon, there wasn't anything else that was hotter than the McCook Juniors baseball team. McCook burned Gothenburg in the first two games of a best of three series to win the Area 6 district tournament at the Jaycees Sports Complex...

The Red Willow County Fair was in full swing Thursday night, and special races were run at McCook Speedway in conjunction with the other activies going on at the fairgrounds. David Murray Jr. of Oberlin, Randy Clydesdale of Edmond, Kan., Richie Wickizer and John Werner of Palisade, Dean Kerbs of Wray, Colo., and Darren Berry of McCook put their names in conjunction with the term "A Feature winner" that night...

TRENTON-- Two brothers from Hayes Center died early Saturday morning, thrown from their pickup after it struck a cow and rolled several times on Highway 25 north of Trenton. Hitchcock County Sheriff D. Bryan Leggott identified the victims as 22-year-old Ira L. Howard, the driver, and his passenger, 19-year-old Joshua K. Howard...

A group of 4- and 5-year-olds do their best to catch the pigs at the greased pig contest at the park in Wauneta during the town's annual Harvest Festival. Other activities included a parade, a water fight, and a dance featuring Night Sounds on Saturday ...

Nine year police veteran Larry Kinne has been promoted to detective by the McCook Police Department. Det. Kinne was promoted to his new position from Sergeant. Kinne has been with the McCook police force since January 1994. He made sergeant in March 2002. "I think it will be an exciting challenge," he said, but a challenge he is ready for. "I have had the opportunity to work with some great investigators including Chief Ike Brown and Det. Bill Hoyt."...

Tess Leverington (left) wears the tiara and sash of the new 2004 Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen. Leverington, the 16-year-old granddaughter of Jeanette LeDroit of North Platte, was crowned before the NSRA rodeo Friday night during the Red Willow County fair in McCook. ...

The McCook Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the third annual Freedom Flight in October. Chamber Director Marie Owen said the balloon committee has started meeting and plans are well underway for the activities. Steve Fossett, one of the world's most famous balloonists has been invited to the event and is working to clear his calender, Owen said. ...

Despite sweltering heat Friday, the Red Willow County Fair rolled into its big weekend with officials pleased with the results so far. A week later than normal, the event will be even one more week later next year, thanks to carnival scheduling. Extension Educator Kent Been said most 4-H events were coming off without a hitch, despite shifting of schedules and locations because of the availability of the new Kiplinger Arena...

Pre-4H'ers Darrin Nutt (top left), Shaylee Schroeder (center) and Elise Jones visit with judge Clay Mead of Kearney about the nutrition of their lambs, during the Frontier County fair Friday morning. Another Pre-4-H'er, Lydia Fritsche (bottom, left), shows a calf much bigger than she is. ...

McCook Speedway promoter Dennis McFarland (left) and Red Willow County fair board member Don Klein (right) honor "Volunteer of the Year" Mel Welp of McCook, during a ceremony before county fair races Thursday. Welp received a plaque and a $50 gift certificate to Arby's from the fair board, matched with a $25 gift certificate from Arby's. ...

With their children starting to reach school age, Dr. Kathy and Dr. Dan Farrell decided it was time to put down roots in a town which was small enough to provide a safe, stable environment, yet large enough for them to serve as medical specialists. Fortunately for the residents of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, their choice is McCook, Nebraska...

OBERLIN -- Oberlin residents will vote Tuesday whether or not to allow the school district to increase its local option budget to pay increased costs in the general budget. The requested 5 percent increase will raise $169,259. Superintendent Kelly Glodt said at an informational meeting July 24 the additional funds will pay for these increases: $100,796 in health insurance; $19,126 in business insurance; $5,100 in unemployment insurance; $2,000 in utilities $24,925 in heating fuel; and $15,095 in transportation fuel. ...

Red Willow Western rural firefighters Jeremiah Meixner (left) and Bill Patras douse hot spots Friday afternoon in a pile of rubble that was Todd Koetter's cattle shed one-half mile north of McCook on West Third. Firefighter Tom Harris said it appears sparks from a cutting torch started the fire which spread through grass near the shed. ...

BIRD CITY -- The Tri-State Antique Engine and Threshers Association will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their threshers' show at Bird City on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and Aug. 1, 2 and 3. Organizers invite anyone who has exhibited a tractor, car or piece of machinery or equipment at the show during the past 50 years to bring it to Golden Jubilee activities...

The family of Donald H. and Betty Ruth Hunt is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary, Aug. 2, 2-4 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of Palisade United Methodist Church. Their children are David Hunt and wife, Donna and Valerie Rodenbur and husband, Lance, all of Lincoln and Rodney Hunt and wife, Laura and Donald Ray Hunt, all of Palisade. The couple has seven grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at PO BOx 132, Palisade, NE 69040...

Merlin W. Needham, 68, died Thursday (July 24, 2003) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born Sept. 15, 1934, to Harold and Hazel (Stivers) Needham in Imperial. He graduated from Imperial High School in 1950. On Sept. 12, 1954, he married Ruth A. Hazzard in Imperial. The couple moved to McCook in 1978 where he was employed at Dayco Hose Plant for 27 years...