News

A sunny morning greeted families for the annual Edgar Easter Egg Hunt April 2. Kids were split into age groups, and when the whistle blew they were off running for any of the eggs or candy set out they could get their hands on. Above, Quinne Shuck smiles big after finding an egg. ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Grumpy doesn’t happen too often, that is unless you talk to the CCN staff about me, but as we trudge through the Primary Election time of year in 2022, it has become a bit to much, at least for me.

Nebraska’s governor’s race, and a few other statewide races have become almost unbearable, at least between mostly two candidates, Jim Pillen and Charles Herbster. We still have 5-6 weeks to go just to get past the May 10 elections...and THEN, we turn to November’s general election and it just makes me wonder what’s left to come.

I just have a feeling that these next several weeks are going to become far more unbearable to watch and listen to between these two.

Sure, there are seven other Republican candidates in the May primary race, but I’m at the point that when a political television or radio ad comes on, I either mute the channel or shut it off, just because of the “dark money” ads that are force-fed to us each and every day.

On March 26, Harvard Fire and Rescue recognized several members during its special honors night. ABOVE: Fire Chief Clint Schwenk, top left, stands with the Firefighter of the Year Kenny Reutzel, top right; Driver of the Year Jerrold Hester, bottom left; and EMT of the Year Heather Rudy.

BELOW: Those receiving years of service awards were, in back from left—Kenny Reutzel, 30 years EMT; Ben Reutzel, 20 years firefighter; and Eric Cox, 15 years firefighter. Middle row from left—Jerrold Hester, one year firefighter; Zhon Gering, 10 years firefighter; and Barb Barnett, 20 years firefighter and 30 years EMT. In front—Mike Wilford, 25 years EMT, and Shirley Doupnik, 15 years EMT. Not pictured: David Cushing, one year firefighter.

Several candidates running for an office, both contested and uncontested, spoke briefly at a town hall meeting hosted by the Clay Center Community Club March 22.

THE CANDIDATES & WHAT THEY DISCUSSED

NANETTE SHACKLEFORD, Clay Center Mayor:

Shackelford has served as Clay Center’s mayor for the past three years, having moved to the town in 1994. Shackelford and her husband, Steven, and their kids have done a lot within the community, she explained, including writing grants or helping install items for the town.

“At the city we’re trying to do a big project every year. This year we’re working on the ballfield and trying to host a couple of tournaments at the ball field this year. We’re working on putting some sprinklers in and working on the field itself,” she said, adding, “and then, of course, we’re working on infrastructure; we’re going to work on the street in front of the ballfield.”

Here they go again! After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, which canceled the 2020 musical, Sutton cast and crew are back at it again, this year presenting “Mamma Mia!”

All Sophie Sheridan (Chloe Bergen) wants to do is know who her father is, and after reading her mother’s diary from the 1970s, she learns there are three possible options when it comes to fathers.

So she invites them all to her upcoming wedding.

The three possibilities come in the form of Harry Bright (Garrett Bonnell), Bill Austin (Paxton Olson), and Sam Carmichael (Leif Andersen), all of whom visited the Greek island on which Sophie lives 21 years prior. And each one having a short love affair with her mother, Donna (Gracie Nuss).

With the help of her friends, Ali (Macey Peterworth) and Lisa (Grace Schmer), Sophie tries to hide the true reason as to why she invited the men to her wedding.

Sutton’s Leif Andersen and Chloe Bergen competed in the Class C1 State Speech Competition at Kearney High School March 17. Andersen took on the field of Extemporaneous speakers, while Bergen performed in Entertainment Speaking. The duo ended their successful speech seasons following three rounds Thursday. ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

*EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part three of a four-part series focusing on the medical community. In this article we’ll focus on community support and the educational side, from medical professionals’ perspective.*

Not only is the goal of those in the medical community to give the best care for their patients, but they also serve as medical teachers, informing the public of important health matters and giving the best factual information.

Throughout the past couple of years, that information has had its supporters and skeptics, but overall in Clay County and surrounding areas, the feedback from the communities has been supportive.

Heidi Bergen, APRN and nurse practitioner at Edgar Medical Clinic, said as time moved on they noticed more and more patients educating themselves on how to better care for themselves and their families, without the constant worry.

Austin Kinnaman and Chantel Andersen were named the Edgar Firefighter and EMT of the Year, respectively, during the fire and rescue’s annual awards night March 19.

Kinnaman has been serving as an Edgar firefighter for six years, while Andersen has been an EMT for five years.

Also during the awards announcements, Bob Crumbliss, who retired, was honored for 58 years of service as a firefighter.

Pat Merrick served as the evening’s guest speaker. He spoke briefly about his years of service as a state fire marshal and trainings. Merrick ended his speech by saying, “Edgar has a warm place in my heart...you do a wonderful job at keeping people safe.”

Chris Tripe, fire chief, and Brad Brennfoerder, EMT chief, gave highlights of the past year. Fire had 20 calls, four of which were mutual aid, and responded to six car accidents.

What begins as a string of wishes soon turns into mishaps, entwined storylines, and a mission to break a curse.

In Sandy Creek’s musical, “Into the Woods Jr,” the Baker (Mason Hinrichs) and his wife (McKenzie Petr) only want a child, but when they find out they’ve been cursed by a witch (Arianna Clark), they set off into the woods to gather the necessary items to break it.

Along the way they stumble across Little Red Riding Hood (Morgan Petr) on her way to grandmother’s house; Cinderella (Leiah Mueller) who’s consistently running from the prince (Sean Heaton); a completely different prince (Jonn McCain) in search of love and finds it among the company of Rapunzel (Khyla Durgan); Jack (Keaton Corman) who ends up selling his cow for some magic beans, only to find a massive beanstalk growing in his yard; and a string of other characters on journey’s of their own.

After almost four years of work, the reality of the Douglas V. Strohl Memorial Harvard Airfield/Naval Ammo Depot Museum is coming to life.

With a large military background, Steve Gerritsen of Harvard, said the museum will stand as an honor to veterans near and far. The expected start date of construction and remodeling is set for August, but once that begins it’ll be all boots on the ground.

To help bring the museum to life doesn’t come without help from people who also care about the project. While Gerritsen has or will have several people lined up for the big day the museum construction begins, the baseline is starting with a group of local people including Gerritsen, Ruben Hock, Mike Hiatt, Michael Mostek, Nate Brown, Jerry Schmidt, Bev Abbas, Dave Johnson, and Cindy Grimes.