Stories from Monday, October 1, 2007

Jodie Lilienthal of McCook and Jason Fisher of Indianola announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Parents of the couple are Larry and Cathy Lilienthal of McCook and Raymond and Patricia Fisher of Indianola. The bride-to-be is a 1996 graduate of McCook High School and a 2002 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in Management Information Systems. She is employed as a Network Administrator at Buckle, Inc. in Kearney...

Aric and Jamie Harris of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Katie Elizabeth Harris, on Sept. 10, 2007, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 and one half inches long. Katie has a sister, Shalyn 5, and a brother, Jacob 2 1/2. ...

Peggy Conklin and Elliott Ferneau of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Alexis Joy Ferreau, born Aug. 30, 2007 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Grandparents are Brad Conklin of Minatare and Tom and Melody Ferneau of Culbertson. Great grandparents are Joyce Conklin of Minatare and Harold "Duce" and Beth Ann Hartzer of Culbertson...

The children of Arlan and Beverly (Schlager) Rathe are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Oct. 6, 1957, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Culbertson. Children of the couple are Robin Haynes of Bremerton, Wash., Ryan and wife, Deb of Palisade, Rhonda and husband, Tracey Refion of McCook, Rachelle and husband, Joe Steinhour of Maywood and Randal Rathe of McCook. ...

Movie Review - Dragon Wars Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and creature action. Starring Jason Behr and Amanda Brooks. Written and Directed by Hyung Rae Shim. Dragon Wars is an interesting movie to review. I have pondered on whether I enjoyed it or hated it. Eventually, I came to the decision that I hated it so much that I enjoyed it...

Strong gusty winds Saturday morning, rain Saturday night and cold, cold wind again Sunday could not dampen the spirit of McCook's annual "Heritage Days" weekend celebrations. Winds during the parade grabbed and snatched at balloons carried by Schmick's Market employees, and, in a great gust, hundreds of red-white-and-blue balloons escaped, filling the sky over Norris Avenue and heading north in a big hurry. ...

The family of Norma Lea David Gardner is hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday Oct. 2. Her children include Janet and Rex McClain of Beaver City and Dawna and Clark Bates of McCook. Cards of congratulations can be sent to 1500 East 11th, Apt. 188, McCook, NE 69001...

Republican River basin property owners will be paying a little extra for a "creative" solution to Nebraska's water dispute with Kansas, but we think Mike Jess has a good point. Jess, who now works at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but who was director of the Nebraska Department of Water Resources, is skeptical about borrowing money to buy water on a regular basis...

Talk about heritage. Talk about history. McCook was filled with it this past weekend, as hundreds of alumni came back to town for reunions and reminiscing. I wish I could tell everyone's story. So many from here have accomplished so much. McCook is a breeding ground for greatness...

In 2002, Susan Crothers, of McCook, and her daughter, Michelle, then 15, set out for Israel, to spend a year of their lives living among and helping the people of that troubled nation. It was to be a life-changing experience for them both. Susan and Michelle were volunteers for the "Visions For Israel" organization, which provides emergency assistance to the entire Israeli community, whether they be Jewish, Arab, or Christian. ...

KEARNEY -- The McCook Bison softball team captured the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference championship at Kearney on Saturday. McCook downed North Platte 7-0, then beat Hastings 4-1 in the semifinals (avenging a loss from the LSE tournament last weekend) and beat Columbus 6-0 in the finals...

The family of Nila Murrain will host a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday on Oct. 8, 2007. Her children are Jim and wife, Jan Melchert of Thornton, Colo., and daughter, Jolene, and husband, Dick Stalker of Grand Island. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 712 W. 5th Street, McCook, NE 69001...