Stories from Monday, March 10, 2008

LINCOLN -- Marissa Smith of Lincoln and Brett Lindau of Aurora, Ill., were married Oct. 6, 2007, at Lincoln Berean Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Bruce Lester officiating. Parents of the couple are David and Janice Smith of McCook and James and Marcia Lindau of Axtell. Grandparents of the bride are Gene and Dorothy Smith of North Platte. Grandparents of the bridegroom are Irvin and Garneta Bauerle of Champion and Ora and Zelma Lindau of Kearney...

Josh and Kiana Barber of Fort Collins, Colo., announce the birth of a daughter, Lania Kay Barber on Jan. 1, 2008, at Poudre Valley Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Her grandparents are Randy and Jerri Barber of Danbury and Mary and Barry Sabas of Fort Collins. Her great-grandparents are Bud and Vene Deminski of Cambridge...

Lynnette Stitt and Jesse Chmiel of McCook announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Dick and Marilyn Stitt and Ray Chmiel and Shirley Chmiel of McCook. The bride-to-be is a 2006 graduate of Southwest High School and will graduate from McCook Community College in May 2008, with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in business and technology...

Brandon and Megan Leak of London, Ark., announce the birth of their daughter, Campbell "Cami" Mykenah Leak on Jan. 21, 2008, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Russellville, Ark. She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Her grandparents are Lori and Dave Clough of Culbertson, Denny Leak of Indianola and Deb and Milton Bence of London, Ark. ...

The children of Ray Kehler, formerly of Culbertson, would like to honor him with a card shower to celebrate his 80th birthday. He was born March 11, 1928. Cards may be sent to him at 920 S. Greenwich, Grand Island, NE 68801.

Don Abbey of McCook, will celebrate his 80th birthday March 15. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 6 Leisure Lane, Pharr, TX 78577.

The family of Elva McBride, wife of the late John Henry McBride and former resident of the old McCook Army Air Base and Maywood, is hosting an open house and card shower in honor of her 80th birthday on March 13, 2008. The open house will be at the Exeter Senior Center in downtown Exeter on Saturday, March 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Cards may be sent to her at home PO Box 302, Exeter, NE 68351-0302...

The family of Lillian Confer of Culbertson is hosting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on March 14, 2008. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P O Box 93, Culbertson, NE 69024.

The family of Herman C. Weidner of Culbertson is hosting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday. He was born March 13, 1918. His family includes his wife, Annice of Culbertson, daughter, Marilyn of Lincoln and son, Ron of Culbertson. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 37129 Rd 711, Culbertson, NE 69024...

Angie Hilger and Wynn Lafferty of Lincoln announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Ted and Lori Hilger of Octavia and Winston and Deb Lafferty of McCook. The bride-to-be is a 1998 graduate of David City Public schools and earned an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and Human Services from Southeast Community College. She is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from Doane College in human relations. She is an activity aide with Tabitha Healthcare services...

Scott and Amanda Felker of McCook announce the birth of a son, Caleb Vincent Felker, on Feb. 13, 2008 at McCook Community Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 inches long. Grandparents are Calvin and Debra Vincent of Trenton and Bob Felker and Betty Felker, both of McCook...

Movie Review - 10,000 B.C. Starring Steven Strait and Camilla Bell and Directed by Roland Emmerich(Independance Day, Day after Tommorrow). Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence. Run Time of 1 hour and 49 minutes. 10,000 BC is the latest film from Director Roland Emmerich who likes the big-budget action/adventure film. ...

May 14, 1917 - March 8, 2008 OBERLIN -- Thelma Louise Spiers, 90, died Saturday (March 8, 2008) at Decatur County Hospital. She was born May 14, 1917, in Jewel County, Kan., to John J. and Ray Frances (Coleman) Clawson. She grew up in Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming...

Feb. 8, 1926 - March 7, 2008 OBERLIN -- Fred W. Bremer, 82, died Friday (March 7, 2008) at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. He was born Feb. 8, 1926, in Norton, Kan., to George and Leola (Wood) Bremer. He grew up in Dresden, Kan., and attended school in Dresden. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1944...

Aug. 27, 1912 - March 7, 2008 BENKELMAN -- Lucille Ora Bradley, 95, died Friday (March 7, 2008) at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. She was born Aug. 27, 1912, in Greenfield, Iowa to Frank and Wynona (Hoop) Birt and attended elementary school in Williamson, Iowa. She graduated from high school in Prescott, Iowa. She went on to further her education at Business School in Grand Island and attended Lawrence Welk Dance Academy...

Most of us are happy with where we live, but why is that? Is it the small town atmosphere? The community betterment? The parks? The youth sports? The golf course? The churches or the recreational opportunities? More than likely, it's that and more. But without an organized effort, it may be hard to figure out exactly what makes our towns great places to live. More importantly, it may be hard to figure out how to make them better...

With all of the maneuvering for position by the two political parties as of late, it seems that McCook and Nebraska are being overlooked, or ala Rodney Dangerfield, "get no respect." President Clinton went almost through his last year of Presidency before he set foot in Nebraska, and President Bush touched down here when his plane was diverted to Offutt Air Force Base during the crisis in 2001. It wasn't always that way...