Stories from Friday, November 29, 2013

STRATTON, Nebraska --Joanne Antionette Laumann, 70, of Stratton passed away Monday (Nov. 25, 2013) in Loveland, Colorado. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow with Father Thomas Wiedel officiating. Burial to follow at Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Keystone Business Center welcomed a new photo studio in October, Larisa O'Brien Photography. Owner Larisa O'Brien said she worked primarily out of her Indianola home prior to opening the McCook studio. O'Brien primarily photographs weddings, engagements, seniors and said she has found glamour and other portrait shots to be particularly popular during the holiday season...

The only thing harder than passing up a delicious dish at a party is trying to talk yourself out of eating holiday leftovers the next day. While everyone is entitled to a little indulgence now and then, it's possible to have your traditional turkey and cranberry sandwich and eat better too...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County tourism director, Carol Schlegel, recently took a hands-on approach to encouraging travelers to visit southwest Nebraska. Schlegel stitched a 7 ft. by 6 ft. quilt made from tourism related shirts from across the state in an effort to raise funds for the Nebraska Travel Association...

At Christmas time 2012, the Steinbeck kids of McCook, Nebraska -- Reid, 10; Spencer, 5; and KayLeigh, 4 -- visited with Santa Claus at the Museum of the High Plains in downtown McCook. This year, Santa plans three stops at the museum, in the 400 block of Norris Avenue, all on Sunday afternoons, Dec. ...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A company contracted by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is again requesting the use of city right-of-way to install petroleum contamination monitoring wells in the vicinity of the McCook Taco John's. The additional wells will bring the total number installed in the area to more than 30...

MAYWOOD, Nebraska -- A Maywood, Nebraska, village board member will retain her trustee position following a recall election Nov. 19. A total of 60 Maywood residents voted to keep Colleen Stone on the board; 52 voted to relieve her of her position. Maywood resident Joe Schmidt had requested the recall election, gathering 59 valid signatures, of a required 52, on a recall petition...

TRENTON, Nebraska -- The Trenton, Nebraska, Fire Department plans its first-ever fund-raiser predator calling contest. Each coyote, bobcat and fox called in and shot during official hunting hours on Saturday, Dec. 14, will earn one point. No trapped or dog-run animals will be allowed. The top three two-man teams will win prize money...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Break a leg! The public is invited to attend the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival committee's First Tuesday event on Dec. 3 from 7--8 pm at the Bieroc Café. Howard Kool, president of the Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association, will co-host the evening which features drama, acting and theater stories. Any cast, crew or audience member is encourage to prepare a story to tell or just come to listen and join the fun...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Humane Society plans a volunteer recognition and a 30-year anniversary "open shelter" open house Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's celebration, a recognition of shelter volunteers, will be at the Republican River Valley Events Center, in the 900 block of East Seventh, between 2 p.m and 4 p.m., with a program at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served...

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- The son of a Benkelman, Nebraska, couple is a member of the crew of "The Voice," a singing competition reality television show that won an Emmy award in September. Matthew Blair, the son of Tom and Rosemary Blair of Benkelman, and "The Voice" cast won the Emmy for "Best Reality Competition Series."...

BARTLEY, Nebraska -- Southwest FFA received a $2,000 grant to purchase a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) table and controls needed to complete a Plasma System. The grant is provided through Farm Credit Services of America's (FCSAmerica) Working Here Fund...

We have mixed feelings about today's "Black Friday" sales. On one hand, they seem to be a lot more orderly than in years past, when near-riots broken out as the supply of bargains didn't keep up with the supply of shoppers. On the other, that orderliness came at the expense of time shoppers and clerks had to spend with their families Thanksgiving evening...

Every holiday season we're exposed to the same kinds of ads and commercials on television and in magazines and newspapers and they're all joyous. But for many, if not most families, holidays bring as much sadness as pleasure because of someone who is no longer with them...

Meet Lorie Prestes' "latest addition" to her family, a 3-month-old Chihuahua named Little Bean. Although you might not be able to tell from a still photo, Lorie says she's full of life -- "she is a little jumping bean!" -- which is how the pup earned her name. (Photo courtesy Lorie Prestes)...

The Rev. R. Samuel Williams and Ms. Margaret A. Lucas will be united in Holy Matrimony at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 29, at St. James Memorial Episcopal Church, in Titusville, Pennsylvania. A modest reception will follow in the parish hall...