Columns

By Ashley D. Swanson

No matter how well I plan something, almost 99 percent of the time, nothing goes the way it’s supposed to.

Sometimes that can be good, especially because you never know what could happen, but usually on a larger scale, it causes unwanted stress and headaches. Just depends on the situation.

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By Tory Duncan

When I moved to Clay County in June 2009, well honestly, over Memorial Weekend that year, I was really surprised at how busy Clay County was and still is with community events, school events and such.

However, there are several events that every year have become at the top of my list for meaningful events and fun to boot.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

Picture it: you’re sitting on a surfboard or a boat and you see the dorsal fin rise above the waves.

Instinctively, thanks in part to a 1975 movie and the fact that the body attached to the dorsal fin has a number of incredibly sharp teeth, your nerves shoot up and instantly the shore seems better than the water.

Sharks are not everyone’s favorite animal. Probably for good reason, but I cannot get over the fact that even though these animals could kill me with one bite, I love them.

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By Tory Duncan

This week’s thoughts almost feel like that of the “Twas the night before Christmas,” only instead of Christmas, I’m going with “Twas the night before school begins.”

Well almost anyway. 

I’ve come to feel that the older I get, the quicker life goes! One week I’m enjoying the roads less traveled in Nebraska, to what I’ll say is the “calm before the storm,” as it just amazes me that the school year is nearly upon us.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

Every year, without fail, as soon as I step onto the dirt at the Clay County Fairgrounds, I’m engulfed in the feeling of home.

No matter what else may being going on with life, all of it drains away and my mind is refocused on the events, the shows, and the people of the Clay County Fair.

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By Tory Duncan

Traditionally I kind of wrap up the Clay County Fair while it is fresh in my mind, but this year, my county fair thoughts are going to have to stay fresh in my mind for another week, which I will share in next week’s paper when we publish our annual special salute to the hard working kids, parents, grandparents and all the amazing volunteers that make what is one of my favorite events of the year in the county.

This year, it is my position this week to ask YOU all for your feedback.

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By Tory Duncan

Traditionally this is the week that I lend my words to the Clay County Fair, and even though my thoughts aren’t directed that way, before I dig in to the Bull this week, be sure to support the kids and families that work their tails off to reach the point of the annual event.

It is, and always has been, one of my favorite events of the year!

This past week was to be my “little getaway” from the pace of a usual work week, but because of a few things here and there, it just didn’t work out to get away.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

When I was younger, and even into college, I was an avid writer. Now, I know how that must sound. I’m an avid writer now. But these things I was writing were stories, ones that came from my mind and usually spiraled down in a chaotic explosion…meaning I never finished these stories.

Being an avid writer now means finishing the stories, and having them come from real people with real stories in real situations.

Let me tell you a short story now, one that wasn’t made up, but is instead of how far a dream can go if you work hard enough to achieve it.

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