Stories from Thursday, October 2, 2003

OBERLIN -- It's OK to be over 50 and not despise it, fight it, disguise it or hide it. It's OK to have fun, and be downright silly some times. It's OK to giggle, and laugh out loud, and sing, even if it's off-key. And it's definitely OK to wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit you...

Ted and Lori Morrisey of Omaha annouce the birth of their son, Aaron Michael, Sept. 17, 2003. He weighed 8 pounds and 12 ounces. He has a sister, Jessica, 7, and Christopher, 4. Grandparents are Jim and Maxine Dusatko of McCook and Tom and Marie Morrissey of Tecumseh...

Kori and Levi Kautz announce the birth of their son, Seth Khristian, Sept. 21, 2003. He weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. He has a 2-year-old sister, Syndi. Grandparents are Tom and Lois Beattie of McCook and Jerry and Nancy Kautz of Culbertson...

James and Carey (Ruf) Rohr of Eustis announce the birth of their son, Donald Leroy, Sept. 8, 2003, at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He weighed 10 pounds, 7.5 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Grandparents are David and Margaret Ruf of Wilsonville and Francis Lee and Calysta Rohr of Munjor, Kan. Great-grandparents are Dee Lee and Odessa Treat of North Platte, Manuel and Margalee Ruf of Wilsonville and Bertha Gross of Hays, Kan...

The newly-consolidated Republican Valley-Twin Valley school district will now be known as the "Southwest Roughriders." K-12 students of the new school district voted Wednesday on the new mascot and school name, Southwest Public Schools. Cory Grint, principal at Republican Valley High School, said the students seemed to think the "Roughrider" could be a "rebel" riding a "mustang." Republican Valley's mascot was the Mustangs; Twin Valley's was the Rebels...

The B Street renovation project will expand to include south US-83 beginning Monday, according to Kurt Vosburg, construction engineer. The south approach to the railroad viaduct will have to be removed and replaced because of settlement, he said in a release...

The students of Southwest Nebraska's newest school district did an excellent job of selecting a name and mascot for their new school. By a wide margin, the 412 students in grades K through 12 selected the Southwest High School Roughriders as the top choices as the name and mascot for the newly consolidated Red Willow County School District 179...

Brad finally had the opportunity to get back at me when Michelle Walkenshaw-Herrera graciously handed over the dunking balls Saturday at the Heritage Days dunking booth. I guess he wasn't as upset with me as I suspected, since it took him six throws to finally get me into the water...

The McCook-Holdrege matchup Friday night at Weiland Field is listed as the fifth game of the 2003 football season. However, the game has more meaning to McCook head football coach Jeff Gross. For Gross and his staff and players, it is the first Nebraska Class B District 6 game of the nine-game campaign...

By Connie Jo Discoe Regional Editor A cowboy poet and ranch philosopher told teachers Monday morning his upbringing and his livelihood have taught him to "make the most of the moment and the best of a situation." R.P. Smith of Broken Bow spoke before nearly 450 Southwest Nebraska teachers gathered for a professional development day sponsored by Educational Service Unit No. ...

Rochelle Schmidt sets career record CRETE -- Doane College senior volleyball player Rochelle Schmidt (Indianola/Republican Valley) recorded five ace serves Wednesday night against Hastings College and broke the career record of 200 ace serves set by Dayna Nyland in 1992...

Added information Dear Editor, In response to last night's editorial, Greg Wolford is in his fourth year as the governor's appointment as our state highway commissioner for district 7. (He served as the chairman of the board for 2002). In July 2004, McCook will be hosting the out-state highway commission meeting. We'll need to put our best foot forward!...