Stories from Friday, November 25, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- During a June 2010 McCook City Council meeting, Councilman Jerry Calvin raised concerns pertaining to the handling of existing trees on the West Ward School site, saying "I am sure many school children and teachers put time into planting those trees and I hate to lose any trees that we don't have to." Councilors agreed that any trees small enough to be moved, would be moved and architects would be directed to preserve the larger trees within green spaces...

JC Penney sales clerk Chelsey Eng, above, keeps busy this Black Friday morning, as she rings up coats and pillows purchased by Gabriel Almanza, center. Almanza, of Wauneta, Nebraska, said he and his family got up at 3 a.m. to catch the specials in McCook. ...

We haven't heard any incidents in Southwest Nebraska to match the one in Los Angeles, where a woman described as a "competitive shopper" pepper sprayed her rivals as soon as the wraps were taken off the specials at a Walmart. The chain's local store parking lot was full for the 10 p.m. specials, literally, with spouses circling to find cars leaving while their partners headed for the crowded aisles inside...

Nine years ago at exactly 6 o'clock in the morning, I was awakened by a knock at my door. I was in that slightly foggy condition between being asleep and awake as I jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on to answer the knock. I thought maybe it was the girl I was seeing at the time but then I remembered that she had a key so I was at a loss as to who could be at my door so early in the morning...

Something happened to me today while I was buying supplies for the Humane Society. I was pretty busy, in a hurry as usual, loading the cart, and a very kind lady handed me an extremely kind donation. She just handed me a donation for the shelter, no muss, she didn't even really give me time to say thanks. I don't want to embarrass her but the feeling that inspired was what I wanted to let her know...

My family has roots that can be traced back to the earliest days of the settlement of Southwest Nebraska and platting of McCook in 1882. In fact Joseph Harr signed his first insurance agent appointment in 1882 when his health failed and he could no longer farm near St. ...

Since the late '70s a winter coat distribution has been held in McCook for anyone that had a need for a warm coat. About 15 years ago I was asked to coordinate this event and have done so since. As Community Services Coordinator for Community Action Partnership Of Mid-Nebraska, covering the seven southwest counties, it is a perfect fit...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- One of seven UPS automotive technicians who qualified for and competed in the 2011 "SuperTech" National Technician Skills Competition is the mechanic who keeps trucks moving in and out of the UPS center in McCook, Nebraska. Brian Warren of rural Culbertson, Nebraska, who has worked for UPS in McCook for six years, competed with six other UPS mechanics in the annual "SuperTech" competition hosted by the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) of American Trucking Associations in Raleigh, North Carolina, in September. ...

Berniece M. McGuire June 17, 1917 - Nov. 22, 2011 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Berniece Myrtle McGuire passed away Tuesday, Nov, 22, 2011, at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska at the age of 94. She was born June 17, 1917, on the Parker farm at Danbury, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Perry Lee and Arvilla (Parker) Johnson. ...

Zephie Irene Brush March 18, 1919 - Nov. 22, 2011 CAMBRIDGE Nebraska -- Zephie Irene Brush, age 92, died at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege on Nov. 22, 2011. She was born on March 18, 1919 in Arapahoe, Nebraska to Dean Glenn and Mabel (West) Colony. Zephie attended school in Holbrook, graduating from Holbrook High School in 1936...

50th anniversary The family of Walt and Bonnie Monie of Omaha, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Dec 2, 1961 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Stanton, Nebraska and made their home in McCook, Nebraska for 23 years before moving to Omaha. ...

Kaitlyn Lavonne Ferebee Jake and Katie Ferebee of Virginia Beach, Virginia, announce the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn Lavonne Ferebee, born Oct. 9, 2011, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, and measured 20 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Doug and Donna Ferebee of Champion, Nebraska, Doug and Keri Ohlson of McCook, and Marge and Jim Shafer of Otis, Colorado. ...

The family of Marc and Patty Harpham of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. They were married Dec. 6, 1986 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Their children include Dillon, Ashton and Alexa of McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1210 W. First, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Cecilia Adams are hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday. The open house will be Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2-4 p.m. at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P. O. Box 97, Trenton, NE 69044.

The family of Lyle Hoffman of Benkelman, Nebraska is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday. He was born Dec. 3 in Naponee, Nebraska. His family includes Fern Hoffman, wife, of Benkelman, Jann and husband, Mike Clark, of Benkelman, Randy and wife, Thersa Hoffman of Kersey, Colorado, 10 grandchildren and two great-grand children. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 127 Rainbow Fountain Park, Benkelman, NE 69021...

Mike and Lesa Tines of Culbertson, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Reid Noah, who was born Nov. 8, 2011 at McCook Community Hospital. He weighed six pounds, 10 ounces and measured 21 inches long. He has one brother, Landon, 7 years old and one sister, Reese, 4 years old. Grandparents are Lee and Barb Miller of Culbertson and Dude and Alice Tines of Venango, Nebraska. Great-grandparents are Alma Miller of Culbertson and Catherine Blume of McCook...

The family of Wayne Pennell of Grand Island, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born Dec. 1, 1931 in Trenton, Nebraska. His family includes his wife, Lois Pennell, children, Warren and Randi Pennell and three grandchildren, all of Grand Island. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 2020 N. Park Ave., Grand Island, NE 68801...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Hayley Clatterbuck and Kyle Holder, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were united in marriage June 10, 2011, at Country Pines, outside of Lincoln, Nebraska. The bride is the daughter of Gary and Debi Clatterbuck of Omaha. Her grandparents are Lois Lepper of McCook, Nebraska, the late Bill Lepper and Dale and Jean Clatterbuck of Omaha, Nebraska...

Darrell Dean Davis March 26, 1932 - Nov. 25, 2011 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Darrell Dean Davis, age 79, of Cambridge, died at the Cambridge Manor of the TriValley Health System on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. He was born in Warnego, Kansas on March 26,1932, to Gerald J. and Wilma P. (Kietzman) Davis. Darrell grew up in Alma, Kansas where he graduated from Alma High School in 1950...

Teresa Marie Evans May 17, 1947 ~ Nov. 24, 2011 PALISADE, Nebraska -- Terri passed away after a lengthy fight against cancer. She was 64 years old and the daughter of C.J. and Dorothy Marie Donaldson, who preceded her death. Daughter Martha Ellen Evans passed away with cancer on Oct .8, 2007...

Samuel F. Ellis Nov. 11, 1938 - Nov. 24, 2011 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Samuel Ellis, 73, of McCook, died Thursday (Nov. 24, 2011) at Tri Valley Health Systems in Cambridge. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Another holiday season is already upon us and although I feel like the weeks are racing by, Declan complains each morning on the drive to school that "Christmas will never get here! How many days is it now?" However similar the scenery may be, we are definitely seeing the world from different perspectives. ...