Columns

By Ashley Swanson

It’s interesting when I think about the fact that I’ve been here almost three years...just three months shy of that anniversary.

It’s interesting because it just flew by; where did the time go?

Does anyone else remember when I first arrived in December 2014? I sure do. I was scared out of my mind and so incredibly nervous to start my new job and officially call myself an adult.

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By Tory Duncan

Husker fans of all ages, shapes, sizes, and mindsets closed out an early Saturday afternoon in total disbelief...21-17, not a “W” but an “L” in a very big way! 

Has this become the norm now with Big Red football? Are we belittled to the fact that we are a sub par football team that just can’t win the big game let alone the little game?

As I write this some, seven and a half hours after an extremely disappointing four point loss to the Huskies of Northern Illinois, a team that sadly is getting no recognition for their huge win but instead wreaking havoc on the state of Nebraska after the Huskers loss.

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By Tory Duncan

You know, I have truly found over this past almost two weeks now with all of the natural disasters that have gone on in North America and Mexico with the massive earthquake, that there truly is a fine line on the perspective I have on journalism, newspaper reporting!

It’s obvious we all know about Hurricane Harvey and with what has been taking place with Hurricane Irma, these natural disasters are just that terrible and unimaginable!

By ASHLEY SWANSON

The U.S. is on fire and drowing at the same time.

People are losing their livelihoods, their homes, their land, and everything they’ve built, but one thing I haven’t seen people lose is hope.

I cannot begin to fathom the hurt and horror people have felt after Hurricane Harvey swept across Texas and Louisiana. I cannot begin to imagine having to watch acres of my land taken by unstoppable flames. Only once in my life have I seen a fire that took away people’s homes and the land they’ve worked so hard to keep up.

Only once in my life have I seen the tired but determined look on firefighter’s faces after working 20-some hour shifts.

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By Ashley Swanson

There are not enough words in the world to describe how amazing Thursday evening through Monday afternoon was.

One of my best friends was set to marry the love of her life this Saturday, and I was honored to be called her maid of honor at their wedding.

I got to Norfolk Thursday evening just in time to see Teri (bride) and Adi (bridesmaid) arrive. After Teri had a makeup run-through, we got all fancy and set out on the town for Teri’s bachelorette party.

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By Tory Duncan

Many of you understand that often times we get information in the form of “press releases.” Information that is “fed” to Nebraska newspapers that once in a great while, really stands out when I receive them.

I received an emailed release from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) on Aug. 22, related to a rural poll that talked about the decline of support for our small-town grocery stores.

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By Ashley Swanson

It’s been a busy summer, and now summer is coming to an end and the busy school year is about to begin. I’m pretty sure it was just May a few weeks ago, but alas, summer has come and gone faster than I could blink.

I would appreciate it if the clock would stop or at least slow down just a little bit.

Monday, Deshler started school, which meant my twin cousins, Hannah and Michael, were officially seniors.

My other cousins, Loetta and Cammy, were officially in high school.

Where did the time go?

Growing up, my cousins, brother, and I were incredibly close—we still are, we just live further apart than our usual distance.

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