News

As commonly seen during the Dugout Days parade, the flag led the line up, much as it did Saturday, June 24. Leading the line were, from left: Brandon Scheidemann, Father Michael Zimmer, Chris Sterns, and Kevin George.

Themed “2023, Clay Center’s History,” the annual Fourth of July Celebration will kick off Tuesday morning with a breakfast on the square.

From 7-10 a.m., palomino coffee, Mo-Ka’s Kitchen, P&D Foods and More will be served.

Then, starting at 10:30 a.m., the parade will begin. Sign-up starts at 9 a.m., at Dahlsten Trucking trailer lot on Highway 14. Pre-register with the Clay Center Community Club at cclub@clay-center. net or at Serendipity, 402-762-3065.

This year’s grand marshal is John Stark; also during the parade, the Legion Auxiliary will be selling poppy flowers, cinnamon rolls, and handing out balloons, while the Lions Club will have popcorn, water, and tea.

Party at the Park starts at noon with a flag raising by the American Legion Color Guard and the National Anthem sung by Dixie Schliep; the meal will be served at 12:30 p.m.

The barbecue lunch costs $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and under.

Veteran Robert “Bob” Shaw received a Quilt of Valor during the EdgarFest parade Saturday, June 24. Shaw rode in the parade alongside his son, Kurt, and Edgar Legion Commander Troy Anderson. The quilt was made by Pat Skinner of Edgar.

Edgar’s annual festival has a variety of activities and events planned for Saturday, June 24.

Kick-off the day with bloody mary’s and mimosas being served at The Bar Next Door, from 9-11 a.m. Rollin’ Blue Smoke will have their food truck parked in the beer garden of The Bar Next Door throughout the day.

Bounce houses, face painting, and food vendors will be available starting at 10 a.m., at the City Hall Park and community building.

A bake sale will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Church of the Plains, while from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Edgar Lions Club will be serving pancakes.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 5th Street project will be at 1:30 p.m.

A cornhole tournament will go from 1-4 p.m., at The Bar Next Door. Register by noon that day; contact Michelle at 402-224-1368.

Funnel cakes will be served at The Bar Next Door from 2:30-3:30 p.m., while from 3-5 p.m., there will be a foam party at the City Hall Park.

Members of the Niobrara Butler- Johnson DAR Chapter honored a long-time member of the Comforters Quilting Guild of Edgars Church of the Plains on Thursday, June 15, with a “Service to the Community” certificate for Shaw’s continued service to the Edgar community, and to the Edgar-based quilt guild.

Shaw has been a part of the Comforters Guild for 17 years. The Edgar group to date has donated over 750 quilts over the years.

Shaw was presented the certificate of award by Connie Plettner, representing the Niobrara Butler-Johnson DAR Chapter, along with other chapter members Rogenne Bolte, Pamela Lay, Linda Fangmeier, and Briggette Bliska.

The local guild constructed a Nebraska-themed quilt that has been donated to an indian school in Salem, Oregon called the Chemawa Indian School. In all, a total of 325 total quilting guilds, according to the Edgar-based group, donated a quilt to the school as part of a nationwide project for the school.

Sutton’s Dugout Days four-day event will kick-off Thursday, June 22, and end Sunday, June 25.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Evening events start with the Dugout Days Carnival, from 5 p.m.-midnight; also starting at 5 p.m., the Flat River Grill is serving pulled pork sandwiches and walking tacos.

A Sip, Shop, Dance-Wine Tasting, featuring local vendors and live music by Dave Ehly, will go from 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Post 61 Club (Legion).

Note that all pre-sale discount carnival tickets are now sold out, but sheets of tickets will be available on the midway.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

The Sutton Federated Church is hosting a salad luncheon from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Swimming activities will go from 11 a.m.-noon, at the Sutton Aquatic Center for ages preschool to sixth grade.

A fishing contest at Clark’s Pond will begin at 1 p.m., with free swim slated for 3-5 p.m., at the pool.

Following a seven-year stint as chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Ronnie Green made the decision to hang up his hat as the leader of the Lincoln campus in order to focus more on family, faith, and life outside of academia.

His pending retirement didn’t come as an easy choice, however, as he and his wife, Harvard High School graduate Jane (Pauley), along with their family, spent a lot of time thinking carefully about life after his role as chancellor since 2016 and what life would look like on the backside of his high profile career at UNL.

“It wasn’t an easy choice,” noted Dr. Green. “There was a lot that went into this, first and foremost our family. We also thought carefully about where the university is, and where it’s headed. We collectively made the decision that it’s time, for us personally, to step back, not only for us, but for the university as well.”

In a condensed version of the monthly meeting of the Sutton City Council, Monday, June 12, council members officially approved the hiring of Michael Heikkinen to the Sutton Police Department staff.

Heikkinen is a retired 20-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol, with a great deal of experience to join the staff with Chief Tracey Landenberger.

According to Landenberger, when he introduced Heikkinen to the council, “we hope that he will begin working on the staff at or around June 21, just in time for Dugout Days.”

The new member of the department will be working 12-hour shifts once he begins duty.

Heikkinen and his family live in the rural Lawrence area of Nuckolls County.

NEW CROSSWALK After approving the monthly consent agenda, council members heard from a large gathering of members from Sutton’s Federated Church, located at 407 N. Saunders Ave., in Sutton.

Hidden by layers of trees in rural Fairfield/Spring Ranch is an oasis of relaxation, zero cell service, and fun.

The Spring Ranch Campground, which opened this spring, has enveloped the “glamping”—or glamorous camping—style and combined it with the history surrounding the area.

Owners Owen and Kim Nelson came up with the idea of a campground after seeing a Conestoga wagon. With the rich history of the Oregon Trail going through their area, it was a great fit to tie wagon camping and the history together.

Thus far, Owen said the campground is going beyond all expectations, and they’ve already had visitors from out-of-state, including Colorado, North Carolina, and South Dakota, to name a few.

“I really enjoy it and we’ve met some really nice people,” he said.

Unlike larger campgrounds throughout the state, Spring Ranch Campground offers a small, unique area secluded from the rest of the world.

The Edgar American Legion Post 248 hosted its 17th annual Poker Run Sunday, June 4.

The route was 186 miles, starting and ending at the Edgar Legion, with stops at Guide Rock, Concordia, KS and Hebron.

All types of motorcycles, a convertible and a muscle car joined in on the fun for another successful year. One-hundred-and-three registered to participate.

First place winner was Kendra Morris, Superior; second place winner Amy Behrens, Geneva; and third place winner Michelle Kline, Nelson.

Award medals were also given to Bill Paxton, Superior, for riding the oldest motorcycle (1998). Jessy Sporing was awarded for traveling the longest distance to participate; he came from Elkhorn (150 miles).