Stories from Friday, May 6, 2016

FAMILY FEATURES --Many people know that sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D, but it can be difficult to get enough from sunshine alone during the winter months. This is especially true for those living in the northern United States from October through May because the sunshine is not strong enough. And, while sunscreen is important to protect you from the sun's harmful rays, it prevents the body from making vitamin D...

Elbert E. Pywell Dec. 17, 1930 - May 5, 2016 KEARNEY, Neb. -- Elbert E. Pywell, 85, died Thursday (May 5, 2016), at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. He was born Dec. 17. 1930, in Norton, Kan. Services are pending at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. Online condolences may be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com...

Gerald 'Jerry' Dellere Feb. 28, 1935 - May 4, 2016 SELDEN, Kan. -- Gerald "Jerry" Dellere, 81, died Wednesday (May 4, 2016), at Selden, Kan. He was born Feb. 28, 1935, in New Almelo, Kan., to Paul P. and Mathilde (Spartz) Dellere. He grew up on a farm southwest of New Almelo. He attended New Almelo grade school and Lenora High School...

CHADRON, Neb. -- Chadron State College will confer 235 undergraduate degrees during the spring commencement in the Chicoine Center. Students from Southwest Nebraska are: Laykin Engell of McCook Kascade Tollman of Bartley Chadron State College, which was founded in 1911, is the only four-year, regionally-accredited college in the western half of Nebraska. As a public institution with its roots in teacher education, Chadron State takes pride in its accessibility and affordability...

50th anniversary The family of Kenneth and Marilyn Criger of Stratton, Neb.,is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, May 14. They were married in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1966. The open house is Saturday, May 14, from 2-5 p.m. ...

60th anniversary The family of Stan and Shirley Spahn of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary Thursday, May 12. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 502 South Street McCook, NE 69001.

50th anniversary The family of Delane and Susan (Schafer) Carlson of Norfolk, Neb. is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, May 14. They were married in Culbertson, Neb. in 1966. Their family includes son, Douglas Carlson of San Francisco, Calif. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 3409 Fox Ridge Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701...

40th anniversary The family of Jim and Sandi Pettera of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday, May 14, 2016. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 71403 Road 387, McCook, NE 69001.

Appearing in the 1926 MHS annual was a reprint of a report given by G.B. Nettleton who was Red Willow County's Superintendent of Schools in 1890. The following is a portion of his report on the history of McCook schools, with my comments in parenthesis. The full content is available at the Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Library...

"I need a Coke," I announced to the stunned stranger in the parking lot of a gas mart, "Would you buy me one?" I asked. The woman locked her car doors and drove off, glancing fearfully in her review mirror, indicating that my request was not well received. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Earlier this week the McCook City Council proclaimed next week as "National Police Week" and May 15 as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," following similar designations from the President and Congress. Mayor Mike Gonzales called upon citizens to observe the week of May 8-15 with appropriate ceremonies and observances, commemorating police officers past and present, as part of a proclamation approved during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting...

If your mother says she loves you, check it out. Grizzled old editors used to give that advice to cub reporters, but the reality of a mother's love only serves to illustrate the point. Sure, Dad will sacrifice everything for his kids, aunts and uncles love their siblings' kids and even good friends have real affection...

A presidential contest that would have been laughed at and put down a year ago looks as if it's going to happen. Despite an all-out effort by the establishment branch of the Republican Party to deny Donald Trump the nomination, from all appearances those efforts not only failed but failed badly...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Registration began recently for the McCook library's "Summer Reading Program." The deadline for registration is May 27. The 2016 theme is "ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, READ." The program schedule varies by age group, beginning with those heading into Kindergarten on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., from June 7 to July 26...

Paige Terry, a McCook High School senior, gets high-fives from students in the first "Walk of Excellence" at McCook Elementary this morning. Seniors paraded down the halls to cheers from students and teachers. "All the hard work you're doing today, will one day lead you down the halls like these seniors," Tim Garcia, McCook Elementary principal, told his students...

McCOOK, Neb., -- The 2016 edition of the Southwest Nebraska Playbook began distributing throughout the region in recent weeks and offers a local perspective on what newcomers to the area should prioritize during a visit. The glossy magazine is part of a coordinated effort, between the Red Willow County Visitor's Board and the McCook Gazette, to provide a high-quality visitors guide for the area. ...

One of McCook Community College's newest graduates, Ashton Harpham of McCook, gets hugs from Mrs. Bev Klein's McCook Elementary kindergarteners following MCC spring commencement this morning. All together, class members attended Ashton's graduation because she volunteered in their classroom throughout the school year. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Donald Jackson, a 1967 graduate of McCook Junior College and now president of Hastings College, told members of the McCook Community College Class of 2016 their education at MCC can lead them to whatever dreams and goals they've set for themselves...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications now for 2016 Critical Home Repair projects. This program helps low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain their homes due to limitations related to income, age, disability or other circumstances...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A small city playground on East A Street will now be listed among other Public Parks in the McCook Code of Ordinances. The McCook City Council approved the change Monday evening after city staff said some language was inadvertently left out of the ordinance book...

Enid Vernelle (Boyer) Zapp July 14, 1927 - May 5, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Enid Vernelle (Boyer) Zapp, age 88, of McCook, led a full and joyful life and was deeply loved by her large family. She passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Community Hospital of McCook...

Sharon G. Andrew Aug. 2, 1943 - May 6, 2016 PALISADE, Neb. -- Sharon G. Andrew of Palisade, age 72, entered into eternal life on Friday May 6, 2016, at Sunrise Heights in Wauneta, surrounded by her loving family. Sharon was born Aug. 2, 1943, at the family's home in south Palisade to Francis M. and Mildred O. (Weston) Andrew...