'Stars' are born in Southwest Nebraska

For the past 10 years, representatives from Southwest Nebraska have been reaching across county lines to accomplish projects for the mutual benefit of the region.

The group -- known as Southwest Nebraska Resource, Conservation and Development -- has worked quietly and efficiently behind the scenes, marshalling county and community resources to address more than 115 separate areas of concern.

Entering its second decade, the Southwest RC&D is making a renewed commitment to growth and service. From this point forward, the RC&D will have two representatives from each of the participating counties: Furnas, Frontier, Red Willow, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins, Chase and Dundy.

The group has also set major goals, including youth retention and sustainable agriculture projects.

While the board makes policy and establishes the program of work, it is the office staff that is responsible for the day-to-day duties. The staff, based in Cambridge, includes the new director, Richard Mullaney; the program support assistant, Lory Cappel; and the Americorps intern for sustainable agriculture, Leah ten Bensel.

As important as the board and the staff are, those connected with the Resource, Conservation and Development effort say the real key to success are the volunteers in communities up and down the valley and in the surrounding plains.

To recognize these community workers, the RC&D last week presented "Stars of Southwest Nebraska" awards, honoring outstanding volunteers from the region. Earning "Star" status were Alvin Barlow, Culbertson; Dan and Gladys Brockway, Stratton; Mike Evans, Maywood; Steve Forbes, Beaver City; Ted and Joyce Grimm, Wauneta; Gloria Hilton, Cambridge; Laurie Laws, Wilsonville; Gene Morris, McCook; and Jerry Wilcox, Curtis.

These community workers -- along with scores of other volunteers -- are the difference-makers. They are the ones who make Southwest Nebraska a special place to live. Hopefully, in years to come, the Southwest RC&D will continue the "Stars of Southwest Nebraska" awards to recognize those throughout the area who do so much for their communities.

It is also appropriate to honor the board members who give so much to the cause of areawide cooperation. We're referring to members such as Ray Balderson, Benkelman; Frank Potthoff, Palisade; and Kenny Gardner, Max, who received Distinguished Service Awards at the annual meeeting. Congratulations also go out to Ken Johnson and Twin Valley Public Power District, who received the "Connecting Southwest Nebraska Award" for taking a leading role in economic development on a multi-county level.