Stories from Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Tyler Bieck: When did you begin to play baseball? Jared Muehlenkamp: I started to play baseball when I was six and in T-ball I believe. TB: What positions do you play? JM: First base, because I have an injured shoulder. TB: What are your thoughts on MNB coach Tye Hallowell?...

CURTIS -- Margaret P. Stewart, 94, died Monday (July 28, 2003) at Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis. She was born Dec. 7, 1908, to Lester C. and Cora M. (Gilson) Kitchen on a farm east of Farnam. She graduated from Overton High School in 1926 and went to Kearney State College for two years...

Dear Editor: Summer time may not have kids in school but they still learn some lessons that will last a life time. 1. A little girl came up to the van and ask me to kill her brother. I asked, why? "He stole my quarter" was her answer. I told the girl if we killed her brother she may be grounded for at least a week, so let's just trade him a sno kone for the quarter and then you can buy something with it...

Last week the Nebraska Department of Agriculture released a report written by Decision Analyst, Inc. It was entitled "The Agriculture Economy in Nebraska-Making Nebraska the Agricultural Leader of the 21st Century". According to the Dept of Ag this project was designed to "help us determine what Nebraska agriculture will look like in the future and develop a plan to optimize the state's potential as a world-class producer and exporter of agricultural products based on that outlook."...

We hear a lot about "the good old days," those times -- long ago -- when things were simpler and slower. While the memories are pleasant ones, we also know -- deep down -- that the old days had their drawbacks, too. Sam Blackwell, a writer for the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau, Mo., helped set the record straight recently in his column, "Letters from Home." Quoting a friend who is a historian, Blackwell cited the following facts about life in the United States in 1903. ...

JAPAN-- Joseph Jr. and Megumi Hamrick announce the birth of their daughter, Hanali, July 8, 2003, at the Navy Base Hospital in Oogami, Japan. She weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and is 20.5 inches long. Grandparents are Joe and Cheryl Hamrick of McCook and Isac and Masae Arakawa of Tochigi, Japan...

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 of Palisade. The couple has eight grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at PO BOx 132, Palisade, NE 69040...

The family of Garnet (Houghtelling) McConville is hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday Aug. 4. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 304 Elizabeth Lane, McCook, NE 69001.

Paige Stute (left) and Alicia Crouse of Haigler stand before the new playground equipment in Haigler's city park. The girls spearheaded the community's almost year-long effort to replace outdated playground equipment. The final fund-raising event will be "Bluegrass Haigler Style" in the park on Sunday, Aug. ...

A tragedy in the life of Jim and Deb (Sailors) Friend was the deciding factor in bringing them back to McCook. And that move opened an opportunity for the job of a lifetime for Deb. Willow Ridge recently announced Deb Friend as their new executive director...

TRENTON -- The community of Trenton will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Trenton Dam and Swanson Lake during Harvest Festival activities this weekend. The dam celebration will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, in the Trenton Community Building. "Miss Trenton Dam 1953" and "Miss Trenton Dam 2003" will ride in the Harvest Festival parade, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., Saturday...

Red Willow County commissioners will have to conduct a hearing to determine the value of land needed to create access to farmland owned by a Bartley farmer. Commissioners discussed the access issue with County Attorney Paul Wood during a commissioners' meeting Monday morning. The value of the .8 of an acre of land will be negotiated between the county and land-owners, the Lavarack family...

Robert "Bob" Edward Trout, Sr., 83, died Saturday (July 26, 2003) at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. He was born Oct. 22, 1919, to Robert Roy and Emelie (Meier) Trout in Mascoutah, Ill. He attended Blair Hadley Vocational School in St. Louis, Mo. On Oct. 8, 1941, he entered the US Army and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 6, 1945...