Stories from Friday, May 31, 2013

The next time you fire up the grill, give your taste buds a thrill with recipes that are inspired by some of the best cuisines from around the world. These recipes from Omaha Steaks will take you on a culinary adventure right in your own backyard. Sweet and spicy Korean, zesty South American and bold Mediterranean flavors make per­fectly grilled steak even better...

It is no secret summer is my least favorite time of year, primarily because it is when Declan leaves for his visit with his mother, but also because I am a wuss when it comes to 100 degree weather. Considering it is typically fairly easy for me to find the positive in any given scenario, a trait I wouldn't trade for anything, I have spent an inordinate amount of time mulling over all the "benefits" of my summer freedom. ...

Americans of all political persuasions are rightfully outraged by recent revelations of political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Adding to the concern, the IRS will be the chief enforcer of the many new health care mandates set to be implemented during the next year. The improper conduct and mismanagement at the agency have raised serious questions about the ability of the IRS to handle such broad new responsibilities and powers...

Opal Irene Bryan Dec. 25, 1920 - May 29, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Opal Irene Bryan, 92, died Wednesday (May 29, 2013), at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born Dec. 25, 1920, in Decatur County, Kansas, to Walter and Gertrude (Oxley) Castle...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette Lorene (McNutt) Kordenbrock checks on her columbine this morning, while George Wortley helps edge her lawn. Kordenbrock, who moved here six years ago, spent years as a missionary with her late husband in the Far East...

Crews, Bair Kelsey Lee Crews of Voorhees, New Jersey and Matthew Downing Bair of Culbertson, Nebraska, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Scott and Vickie Crews, Voorhees, New Jersey and Bruce and Susy Bair of Culbertson...

60th anniversary The family of Phillip Bryce and Marilyn (Anderjaska) Fornoff of Hayes Center, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. They were married June 16, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in rural Hayes County. ...

Marissa Marie Carstensen Kevin and Jenna Carstensen of Lincoln, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Marissa Marie Carstensen, born April 29, 2013, in Lincoln. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Grandparents are Jim and Joan Carstensen of North Platte, Nebraska, Pam Britten of Council Bluffs, Iowa, formerly of Palisade, Nebraska and the late Roger Britten...

Leah Ellen Nelms Brent and Melissa Nelms of Eagle, Nebraska, announce the birth of their daughter, Leah Ellen Nelms, who was born May 15, 2013, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20 1/4 inches long. She has one sister, Afton, 2 1/2 years old. ...

54th anniversary The family of Don and Kathy Schaaf of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 54th wedding anniversary. They were married May 30, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois. Their family includes children, Lisa (John) Lee of Fort Collins, Colorado, Lorri Sughroue of McCook and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1010 E. Second, McCook, NE...

89th birthday The family of Ed Spahn is requesting a card shower in honor of his 89th birthday June 11. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 201 S. Eighth Street, McCook, NE 69001.

25th anniversary The family of Kirk and Peggy Messinger of McCook, Nebraska, is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. They were married June 5, 1988,in Breckenridge, Colorado. Their children are Keith and Kelsey Messinger of McCook and Kayla Messinger of Kearney, Nebraska. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 70307 Road 389, McCook, NE 69001...

Adam James Stehno Brian and Ashley Stehno of Stratton, Nebraska, announce the birth of their son, Adam James Stehno, who was born May 13, 2013 at North Platte, Nebraska. He weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches long. He has one sister, Bailey, 2 1/2 years old. Grandparents are Frank and Pat Stehno of Stratton, Nebraska, Rosalyn Kauffman and Kelly Kauffman, of Trenton, Nebraska. Great grandparents are Ray Stehno of Stratton and Velda Hartman of McCook, Nebraska...

55th anniversary The family of Bruce and Esther Hampton of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 55th wedding anniversary. They were married June 1, 1958, in McCook. Their family includes children, Peggy (Danny) Pinkerton of Laguna Niguel, California, Pam (Heinz) Wallace of Junction City, Kansas and two grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 71788 US Hwy 83, McCook, NE 69001...

WICHITA, Kansas -- Jessica Jo Bair of Culbertson, Nebraska and Andy Springer of Haysville, Kansas, were united in marriage Dec. 29, 2012, in Wichita, Kansas, with the Rev. Jordan Golden officiating. Parents of the bride are Bruce and Susy Bair of Culbertson. Grandparents are Judy and Richard Bair of McCook, Nebraska...

BY SUSAN DOAK SW Nebraska Genealogy Society As much as I carefully threw little hints at each of my children, no one named their newborns after my grandmothers, Theodocia or Flora, let alone my mother's unusual first name: Rhoby. Of course I didn't do that either, but one can always try!...

Mother Nature was the lone winner in the McCook Legion baseball schedule Wednesday, May 29. Several games involving McCook Legion teams were called off due to Wednesday's storms in the area. The games postponed included the McCook National Bank Seniors (ages 17-18 years) home double-header with Chappell, the McCook First Central Bank Juniors (ages 15-16 years) contest at Lexington, and the McCook Horizon Bank Juniors B Red team (ages 13-14 years) at Cambridge for a double-header...

This spring marks a special anniversary on the yearly Heritage Hills Golf Course tournament schedule. The John Mullen Pro-Am Tournament with celebrate its 25-year anniversary. The annual three-day fund-raising event will be held Friday through Sunday, June 7-9 at the Heritage Hills course located on the west edge of McCook...

McCook Legion baseball teams didn't find much success in road games Thursday, May 30. The McCook National Bank Seniors (ages 17-18 years) improved to 3-1 on the season with a 13-0 win at Cozad. The McCook First Central Bank Juniors (ages 15-16 years) dropped a 24-5 decision at Cozad. The Juniors slipped to 1-3...

The golf menu at Heritage Hills Golf Course is now featuring Brian Primavera. Primavera is an apprentice working toward his certification as a Professional Golf Association (PGA) professional. Brian was hired earlier this spring as the new pro at the McCook course...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The East H Street resurfacing project will transition to its second phase, Tuesday and Wednesday, which will result in the reopening of East H Street from Norris Avenue to East Sixth Street. According to a press release issued by city staff, during the second phase, East H Street will be closed from the east edge of East Sixth Street to the west edge of East 11th Street, and from the east edge of West 11th Street through the west entrance into Oakview Apartments...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook office of Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska has free fans available to low-income individuals and families. Barb Ostrum, community service coordinator of Mid-Nebraska's McCook office, said there is some paperwork involved. Call her office, (308) 345-1187, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., to make an appointment to participate in the fan program...

Brandon Wilson of Curtis, Nebraska, sports his new summer-cool hair cut, a mohawk, at the annual Maywood Old Glory Days celebration May 25. Brandon is the 5-year-old son of Adam and Kelli Wilson of Curtis.

Carmichael Construction of Hastings, Nebraska, is on target for a Sept. 1 completion date on the new First State Bank and First State Insurance facility in Cambridge, Nebraska. On Wednesday afternoon, Josh Steines worked on new windows, while Orlin Nieto, left, and Ricardo Gutierrez hung dry wall on a new office. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- A legislative committee would be formed to study the tax system in Nebraska under a resolution advanced by lawmakers Thursday. LR155, introduced by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, would create the Tax Modernization Committee to examine the state's tax structure and submit recommendations to the governor and the Executive Board of the Legislature by December of this year...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- "The Pony Expresso, or The Villain Came to a Grinding Halt" will be presented June 9 and 30 at 3 p.m., June 12, 22 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 412 Norris Ave. Tickets are $5 for sale at the door only. Proceeds will benefit the Fox Theatre renovation project. The melodrama by Rachel Davidson is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc. of Englewood, Colorado...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is moving closer to implementing several water system improvements, including the replacement and retirement of old water mains and the construction of cation waste disposal ponds at the water treatment plant. Monday evening the McCook City Council will be asked to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a $2,086,810 Water Revenue Bond to fund the four water improvement projects. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The TeamMate Mentoring program at McCook Senior High has helped four graduating seniors on their way to college. Four seniors at MHS - Amber Ulmer, Jacqui Hager, Brittany Hixon and Alex Morgan - have been involved in TeamMates for two or more years, which made them eligible for a $500 scholarship upon graduation. All four plan to attend post-secondary education...

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- In March 2013, the Federal Sequestration went into effect that resulted in major funding reductions for Head Start programs. The consequences of the funding cuts are far reaching for both staff and the children and families that Head Start serves. ...

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, and University of Nebraska Extension host 4-H'ers and FFA members at the "West Central District Youth Animal Science Field Day" in conjunction with a "Discovery Day" designed to update the media on the college and its traditional, updated and new programs on Thursday, May 30. ...

It's not quite "666" tattooed on your forehead, but an African nation's new national ID card may give pause to believers of prophesy and civil libertarians alike. Nigeria, known more for email scams than legitimate financial advances, has joined forces with a credit card company to create an electronic payment system using MasterCard-branded National Identity Smart Cards...

My friend and fellow columnist Dick Trail and I don't agree on a lot of things but there's one thing we share absolutely the same perspective on and that is we don't like to be lied to. Dick seems to think that only Democrats lie, conveniently turning a deaf ear and blind eye to the lies told by people in his own party but that's another column. I want to focus on personal honesty in this one...

The income tax code is complicated beyond comprehension. An institution like the IRS has no place in a society of free people. The power that came to congress with the income tax and 16th amendment has so corrupted our Congress and the IRS that we must start over...

Nathaniel Caldwell, 10, of Mead, Colo., shot his first turkey while he and his father, Chad, were visiting his grandmother, Evie Caldwell, in McCook. The tom weighed 22 pounds and had a 71⁄2-inch beard.

Karen Smith of McCook, Nebraska, discovered these mushrooms -- "stalkless paxillus" -- growing on a tree stump in her daughter's family's yard in Douglas, Wyoming.

Christy Scott of McCook shares the photo she took during Wednesday afternoon's storm, when the sky, looking north above Memorial Park Cemetery, turned a fiery red. Readers can contribute to our daily weather page, subject to space and color availability, by emailing photos to editor2@ocsmccook.com or bringing them into the Gazette offices at West First and E Streets. Include the photographer's name and where and when the photo was taken and the camera settings used to get the shot (optional)...

Bison Football One of my many memories from growing up in McCook was going to the Bison football games. I'd be sitting with Dad, sometimes I was just a shivering, and he'd be cheering on our team, making comments about the plays. I'd watch the game and enjoy all of the people. ...

Curtain climbers. Yard monkeys. Cherubs. Whippersnappers. Ankle biters. Urchins. I don't know what you call them, but our children have been turned loose on the world. School is out for summer (at least it ends this week here where I live). By the end of summer I'm afraid my description of these little animals will be a bit stronger. I'll be ready for them to return to the classroom...

Capt. Jared Vineyard, a U.S. Army Chaplain now stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado, will bring a message to the congregation at Memorial United Methodist Church, Sunday, June 9, at both the 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., services. Capt. Vineyard, while serving at Orgun-E, Afghanistan in 2011, received and distributed packages from McCook, Nebraska, gathered and mailed thanks to the efforts of Ann Trail and her many volunteers, through the "Adopt-a-Chaplain" program. ...

On May 4, Thomas McHale of Cambridge graduated from UNL College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with two Bachelor of Science degrees-- Biochemistry and Microbiology, and minors in Math, Chemistry, Psychology and Humanities in Medicine. During his undergraduate career, McHale worked in the biochemistry labs of Drs. ...

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Dr. Fred Ohles, President of Nebraska Wesleyan University, awarded degrees to approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students during Nebraska Wesleyan University's 124th annual commencement held Saturday, May 18. The Honorable John M. Gerrard delivered the commencement address, "Follow Your Passion, Serve Others, Do the Right Thing." He was also awarded a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree...

Neelee Clare Glasco recently received her diploma from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Master's Degree in English and a specialization in Women's Studies. She earned her Bachelor's degree in business Administration from UNL as well but returned to her first love, literature, for her master's. Neelee lives in Lincoln and works at the University of Nebraska Press. Neelee is the daughter of John and Debra Glasco and granddaughter of Julia Diehl, all of Stratton...

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas -- Having met the requirements for graduation, Mr. Jeffrey D. Brown was among more than 3,000 students taking part in graduation ceremonies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville Arkansas on May 11, 2013. Majoring in biology, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in front of a packed crowd at Bud Walton Arena...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- The following area students have been recognized by the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture for their academic performance for the Spring 2013 Semester. Dean's Honor Roll- To qualify a student must earn a grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4-point scale...

Dakota Schroeder, a 2013 spring graduate of Arapahoe High School, was awarded the $500 college scholarship from the Neva Kanost Scholarship fund. The fund is represented by Linda McGooden Hedges, Neva's niece of McCook, Rick and Kelli Ackerman and children, Tiffany, Patrick and Luke of Holdrege and Chuck and Vickie Schaepler and children Brett, Cortney and Megahn of Kearney...

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Medicine Valley Public Schools announces the 4th Nine Week and 2nd Semester Honor Rolls. (denotes All A's) Seventh grade 4th Nine Weeks: Riley Eisenhauer, RaeAnn Heapy, Sheldon Johnsen, Ryan Klintworth, Rachel Lashley, Isaac Lenz, Tzi Martinez, Nathan Nicklas**, Sid Schultz and Coby Uhlig...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is honored to announce the winners of the Horatio Alger Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarship, including Gavin Harsh, a 2013 graduate of McCook High School. These scholarships are made possible with generous support from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation. ...

Poets and storytellers Sarah McKinstry-Brown and Matt Mason of Omaha, Nebraska, teach the intricacies of writing poems at the McCook Public Library in McCook, Nebraska, Friday afternoon during "Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival" 2013. McKinstry-Brown encouraged participants to list their favorite things -- their favorite person, food sound, feeling, taste -- and then "do a wonderful, magical thing" and turn each favorite thing into a simile or metaphor. ...

Each year I attend the Cattleman's Ball of Nebraska. It is one of my favorite events because it celebrates Nebraska beef as part of a healthy diet, showcases rural Nebraska and raises money for cancer research. Formed in 1997 by a group of beef industry leaders, the Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska has become one of the nation's most successful cancer fundraisers with more than $7 million raised since inception...