News

Grand Island Little Theatre announced its first show of the 2019-20 season, “The Battle of Shallowford,” a comedy by Ed Simpson, set to be opened to the public at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 11, 12, 18, and 19, and 2 p.m., Oct. 13 and 20, at the College Park Auditorium, 3180 West U.S. Highway

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Cast members include Lexi Kleint as Ruthie Mock; Steve Spencer as Burton Mock; Keith Smith as Lonny Hutchins; Brendan Nierman, of Harvard, as Clunette Campbell; Mike Stewart as “Mr. Roy” Sprinkle; Christian “Chris” White as Dewey Sowers; Scott Miller as Newsome Jarvis; Greg Sallans as “Doodad” Jarvis; and Greg Sanchez as Fred Martin.

This comedy is set on a quiet Sunday night in October of 1938 at Burton Mock’s general store in Shallowford, NC. The rest of the world is on the brink of war, but Shallowford folks are only interested in local gossip, until they turn on the radio and learn that the martians have invaded.

By the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last vestiges of red, yellow and orange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and collecting leaves becomes the primary chores of lawn and yard maintenance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gathered leaves to tend to.

It is impossible to count just how many leaves fall to the ground each year, or just how many pounds of leaves get collected curbside, but the numbers are substantial. Cleaning up leaves is considerable work, but not all of those leaves need to be carted away. In fact, there are several different uses of leaves that can be beneficial.

1. Spread leaves as a protective mulch to cover tender perennials or root crops/ bulbs in the ground. The leaves will form a natural insulating cover that keeps the soil and the plants within a bit warmer over winter.

Here is the latest data from the Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service, as of Sept. 29: This past week, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

CORN

Only 52 percent of corn is mature, well behind last year’s 82 percent and the five-year average of 72 percent. So far, 95 percent of corn has dented, near last year’s 99 percent and the five-year average of 98 percent.

Harvest has begun, with 8 percent of fields cut, behind last year’s 16 percent and the five-year average of 11 percent.

Corn condition rates at 73 percent good to excellent, 20 percent fair, and 7 percent poor.

SOYBEANS

A little more than half of beans have dropped leaves, at 75 percent, behind last year’s 91 percent and the five-year average of 84 percent.

Bean conditions rate at 75 percent good to excellent, 20 percent fair, and 5 percent poor.

PASTURE

It has been a busy weekend for the Legion Family (TALThe American Legion, SAL-Son's of the American Legion, ALA-American Legion Auxiliary and ALR-American Legion Riders). District 10 Fall Rally was held in Roseland on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Auxiliary hosted the County Convention in Fairfield on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Life has been busy and challenging, as it typically is, because who takes on life hoping it’ll be smooth sailing?

Back in August I decided the family needed to get together as a sort of reunion. To get a few hours break from life and just enjoy one another’s company. Besides, the last time we were all together was my grandpa’s funeral two years ago.

I know it may seem a bit silly to plan something a month in advance, especially something as small as this, but when you start making plans so early in advance, it gives everyone plenty of time to take off work.

I notified everyone in my south family—my dad’s side—about what I deemed the Fall Family Get Together, and set about making plans.

It would be a potluck, with yard games and a photo booth, and would be set in Hebron at the main city park—Loetta and I traveled the furtherest, as everyone else lived in or around Hebron.

Operation Christmas Child

Want to be part of the world’s largest child evangelism effort? Operation Christmas Child, under the direction of Samaritan’s Purse, is a fun and easy project that anyone can get involved in. Operation Christmas Child brings good news and great joy to children all over the world through simple gifts.

Every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship—transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the Good News of Jesus Christ. Churches hand out shoeboxes at festive outreach events where the Good News is clearly presented. Children then have the opportunity to enroll in a 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey.

Annually, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) recognizes school nurses who have demonstrated excellence in School Nursing Practice and leadership in School.

Jo De Kinnaman, BA, RN, NCSN, of Edgar, was recognized by the Nebraska State School Nurses Association in 2018 for this leadership award.

She was recognized by the National Association during their 51st Annual Conference award celebration at the Gaylord Rockies Hotel in Denver, June 28, 2019.

In attendance during the award reception were family members including her husband, Kent; children, Gavin and Austin, grandchild; Karson; and mother; DeLores Wilson.

Kinnaman was originally nominated by Tonna Gilbert, QA Specialist and Deb Ross, Executive Director of the Head Start Child and Family Development Program, Inc., of Hastings, Nebraska. JoDe is the full-time Health Coordinator for Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Development Network, Sixpence and the Migrant Education Program.

Sutton Elementary hosted its annual grandparent’s day Friday, Sept. 27. Here, Grethe Andersen does a project with grandparents Ronda and Larry HIxon.

April may be half a year away, but it’s never too early for Michelle Weese to advocate for autism support.

This spring, she and her husband Grover replaced their porch light with a blue bulb—the official color for autism awareness. Next spring, she hopes Shickley Public School will join in on the April 2 international observance in wearing blue in support of her sixth-grade son, JoJo.

“Here, the teachers, you can tell they care about the kids,” Michelle said.

Hers is a story of change and triumph, beginning and ending in the small community of Ong.

A Utah native, Michelle moved to Ong as a teen. After a few years, she graduated high school and moved to New Orleans, LA, for college.

JoJo was born in New Orleans, and that’s where his father resides. JoJo visits him every summer.

Eventually, Michelle and JoJo moved back to Utah where she grew up and where her mother returned after living in Nebraska.

VIEWS FROM VANDEWALLE

The anticipation is building for National 4-H Week which will start Oct. 6-12, 2019, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will be celebrating everything Nebraska 4-H by observing National 4-H Week.

This year, by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, National 4-H Week will highlight the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them.

The theme of this year’s National 4-H Week is Inspire Kids to Do, which highlights how 4-H encourages kids to take part in hands-on learning experiences in areas such as health, science, agriculture and civic engagement.