Murray Newsletter - September 24, 2025
Nebraska SHIP/SMP is gearing up for the 2025 Medicare Annual Open Enrollment season. This is your once a year opportunity to evaluate Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans for the following year. Comparing different plans for your medications to the one you currently have can really pay off! Last year, Nebraska SHIP helped Nebraskans save money on their prescription costs just by comparing plans!
Mary Ann Holland will again be available for in-person appointments in Nebraska City at the Southeast Community College Learning Center, 1406 Central Ave, on select days between October 15 and December 7th, Open Enrollment. Whether you prefer to speak to a SHIP counselor over the phone, or in person with Mary Ann, please contact Nebraska SHIP at 1-402-471-2841 to schedule an appointment.
You could potentially save lots of money by comparing prescription plans!
Safe digging is everyone's responsibility.
Striking a buried utility line can:
Disrupt utility services
Be costly to repair
Cause serious injury or death
Call 811 before digging to stay safe and protect your community.
Respect the marks and dig carefully around utility lines.
It’s free, safe and required by law!
Shortlist for 2026 One Book One Nebraska Announced
What book will all Nebraskans be encouraged to read in 2026? We will all find out on November 15th at the Nebraska Celebration of Books (N.COB) literary festival. A mesmerizing dust bowl epic filled with magical realism, a photographic journey across Nebraska, a beautifully written novel about second chances — all stories with ties to Nebraska—are the finalists for the 2026 One Book One Nebraska statewide reading program. The finalists are:
· The Antidote: A Novel by Karen Russell, Knopf, 2025.
· Nebraska: Under a Big Red Sky by Joel Sartore, Bison Books, 2006.
· Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf, Knopf, 2016.
The One Book One Nebraska reading program is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and the Nebraska Library Commission. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss the same book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. A Nebraska Center for the Book committee selected the three finalists from a list of nineteen titles nominated by Nebraskans. In the coming weeks, Nebraska Center for the Book board members will vote on the 2026 selection.
Nebraskans are invited to take part in the Nebraska Celebration of Books (N.COB) Literary Festival where the choice for the 2026 One Book One Nebraska will be announced. Held on Saturday, November 15th, from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm, on the second floor of the UNL City Campus Union and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, this event aims to celebrate Nebraska’s literary heritage and contemporary authors. The festival will honor the 2025 One Book One Nebraska with an author talk by Tosca Lee, in addition it will feature 2025 Nebraska Book Award winning authors, Nebraska State Poets Jewel Rodgers and Matt Mason, a writing workshop hosted by Larksong Writers Place, book vendors, and presentation of the Mildred Bennett Award and Jane Geske Awards. Visit https://bookfestival.nebraska.gov/ for more information about the N.COB festival programming and authors.
The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Nebraska Library Commission.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”
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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
East Cass Pioneer Cemetery District Board (ECPCD) meeting dates for 2025:
October 13
7 pm
Town Hall
106 Main Street
Murray, NE
Public is welcome to attend.
FROM KEEP CASS COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
Do you know...
The average American uses 365 plastic bags a year in the United States, one bag PER person PER day!
Sadly most of these bags, even if recycled, don't actually get recycled. Paper bags take even more energy to create and cause deforestation even though they're biodegradable.
You can have a HUGE impact over a lifetime choosing reusable each time you shop. Over the course of a 75 year lifespan, you could save 27,375 bags from entering our environment as pollution and/or litter.
Some other interesting & important facts about plastic bags:
-The oil is takes to make 14 plastic bags is the equivalent of driving 1 mile
-Plastic is laced with toxins like endocrine disruptors, carcinogens (cancer causing agent) and other chemicals
-Americans use 365 bags a year in comparison to Denmark who uses approximately 4 bags per year
-By 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish
-There is a garbage patch twice the size of Texas currently floating around the Pacific Ocean killing millions of sea creatures each year
-34% of turtles found dead have ingested Plastic
-Plastic bags never really go away, they take hundreds to thousands of years to biodegrade and bags pollute our soil, water and air with microplastics when they "break down."
Next time you shop, use your "No thank you" and opt for NO PLASTIC!
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE FOR THIS RECYCLE EVENT
SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE NEEDS YOUR BLOOD!
Grab some friends and schedule your blood, platelet or AB Elite plasma donation today.
Critical Need for Blood Donors!
Confirm days and times and
learn more HERE or call 1-800-733-2767.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Plattsmouth High School
1916 E Hwy 34
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
8:AM - 2:PM
Monday, October 6, 2025
VFW Post 2543 Plattsmouth
510 1st Avenue
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
11:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025
Conestoga High School
8404 42nd St
Murray, NE 68409
9:AM - 2:PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Louisville High School
202 West 3rd Street
Louisville, NE 68037
10:AM - 4:PM
4107 Wavery Road
Murray, NE 68409
Just by adding a few of the items listed below to your shopping list and picking them up, you'll be helping someone in a big way. Keep in mind that some of the children are very young and are possibly 'preparing' their own meals, so easy-to-open containers are a good option for little hands.
Granola bars
Fruit snacks
Dry pasta
Spaghetti sauce
Dry soup mixes
Canned meat (chicken, tuna)
Boxed prepared meal kits (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Canned fruit and vegetables
The monthly meeting of the Plattsmouth Amateur Radio Club, PARC, will be this Saturday, September 27, 8 am, at Mom's Cafe, Plattsmouth, NE.
Click Here to read the newsletter.
Come play BUNCO!
Easy to play and lots of fun! We'll teach you!
Plattsmouth Senior Center
Monday, September 29
11 am
$5/person, age 19 and up, with all proceeds go back to the players!
$6 Lunch
Bring a friend!
Call the Center at 402-296-5800.
Join Conservation Nebraska and our partners for a free event aimed to bring people together to discuss the opportunities created by renewable energy. When we work together to address challenges we can become more resilient, efficient, and create solutions to the issues our communities face.
Space is limited and registration is required. Please visit https://secure.everyaction.com/olPtC1l2gU2soQ_YWMZ29g2 to reserve your spot today.
9:30 AM - Check-in - coffee and snacks provided
10 AM - Session 1 - featuring Josh Moenning, John Hansen and Kevin Connot. These experts will focus on how economic growth with renewable energy can benefit rural communities. They will focus on how energy development is economic development.
Josh is director of New Power Nebraska and runs a small business focused on renewable energy development. He served as Mayor of Norfolk and as a Norfolk City Councilman. He also assists his family's beef business and has two children. He's worked in the Nebraska Legislature, for the U.S. House of Representatives, and as executive director of the infrastructure development group 4 Lanes 4 Nebraska.
John has served as the President of the Nebraska Farmers Union since 1990, currently the longest serving president. He also serves the National Farmers Union in a variety of roles; USDA's Nebraska State Technical Committee; Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Farm Crisis Council; and on the Board of Directors for the Coalition for a Prosperous America. He has served as Chair or Co-Chair of the Wind and Solar Conference since 2007. John has received awards from groups such as the Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, U.S. Department Of Energy, American Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Rural Radio Association.
Kevin has a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and an MBA from Wayne State College. He has served on his local school board, owns a business near a utility scale wind project, and has experience as a renewable energy developer. He lives in the Allen, Nebraska area which is home to the Rattlesnake Creek Wind project built in 2018. He has seen the property tax relief for all area residents and businesses from this project.
11 AM - Session 2 featuring Nancy and Alan Meyer who will discuss their solar powered regenerative farm.
Alan and Nancy moved to their 1904 farmhouse on five acres in summer 2000. Over the years they have restored the home in an environmentally conscious way, while also maintaining and developing the grounds to provide as much of their food as possible. Today they have two solar arrays, passive solar, solar hot water, geothermal heating and cooling, and other alternative energy installations. Their 3200 sq ft all-electric home requires only $600 in annual electricity bills, including the cost of charging two electric cars and battery-powered yard equipment. They were able to remove their propane tank in January 2024, completing their transition from fossil fuel usage. The installation of a battery bank early this summer may also allow the property to be disconnected from the grid in 2026.
12 PM - Lunch
M-F | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(402) 873-6654
amya@nebraskacity.com
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Bid online >>
Auction catalog >>
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Elmwood, Nebraska's Community Center is open to all ages Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch meals are served at noon for $6 and may be dine-in or carry-out, or $7 for delivery (to local addresses).
Please call, (402) 994-2145, at any time to make arrangements for lunch NO LATER THAN 9:30 on the day of your meal.
The facility is available for rental to the public. "Like" our Facebook page to keep up with all of our events!
Elmwood, NE Community Center Phone & Address:
144 N 4th St, Elmwood, NE 68349
(402) 994-2145
*
211 Main Street
Louisville, NE
$7 at the door; Kids 12 & under, FREE!
UPCOMING:
Second Sundays – Electric Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Fourth Sundays – Acoustic Only Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Bring your instruments and enjoy an afternoon of great music and good company!
Click the theater flyer above or HERE to read the latest CCMT news.
Call 402-949-0668 with any questions.
Our 21st annual pumpkin patch season now open.
Same great price any day you visit, $10/person (+tax). Free for ages 2 & under, and its still free to come shop the barn or visit the cafe. See www.bloompumpkinpatch.com for more details, special events and field trip information.
The 21st annual pumpkin patch season at Bloom Farm opens this weekend! Join us for fall family fun including hay rides to the U-pick pumpkin patch, a corn pit, play areas, nature trails, farm animals, games, shopping, delicious food & more.
Sun. Sept. 28 - Teacher & School Staff Appreciation Day. FREE admission to school employees.
Sat. Oct. 4 - Dog Day to benefit pet rescue. Dog admission of $7 will be donated to a local rescue partner.
Weekends 10 am-6 pm through Oct. 28.
Monday-Tuesday-Friday in October, 10 AM-3 PM. Sat.
UNION ORCHARD EVENT CALENDAR
Located at 2405 US-75, Union, NE
(Pavilion is ADA accessible.)
September 27~28 Taste of APPLEJACK
Call Union Orchard, 402-263-4845, with any questions.
Head to Bailey’s Local in Eagle, NE for delicious Nachos,
camaraderie and beverages!
(Full menu available.) Sign up for the Free Bike Give - away!
The MoPac East Trail gets you there! map
Join the group on Facebook.
From Lincoln’s Trailhead at 84th & N Hazelwood (10 miles)
From Walton Trailhead (7.5 miles)
From Elmwood, east to Eagle (8.3 miles)
From Wabash Trailhead (11.3 miles)
Check out new website at www.happypawsplattsmouth.org
And download foster application!
Happy Paws Plattsmouth is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving Cass, Sarpy, and Douglas Counties
with one mission: to transform the lives of animals in need while enriching the families who welcome them home.
PLATTSMOUTH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (P.A.R.C.)
KB0SMX
P.A.R.C. members get together Tuesday evenings at Plattsmouth's Burger King at 6 pm.
Monthly meetings the last Saturday of most months at Mom's Cafe in Plattsmouth, 8 am.
(NO December monthly meeting.)
Click HERE or on the radio antenna logo above to read the latest newsletter and calendar.
For more info, contact Roger Behrns, rb55930@windstream.net or call 402-234-6775.
(LOUISVILLE CARE CENTER)
has new job positions!!!
We have OPEN Positions!
Click HERE to Apply Online
FT/PT/Casual CNA/CMA-Click Here to see Job Description
FT/PT/Casual LPN/RN-Click Here to see Job Description
FT/PT/Casual C.M.A or Medication Aid with C.N.A-Click Here to see Job Description
PT Transport Driver-Click Here to see Job Description
HERE IS WHAT MAKES US A GREAT PLACE TO WORK!
LCC offers free healthcare premiums for ALL our full time employees. Click Here to see Our Benefit Summary
Evening, night and weekend shift differentials.
Competative Wages! Inquire within for wage ranges.
Hire on bonus for C.N.A's, C.M.A's, RN's, LPN's and Personal Care Assistants. Click Here to see Hire on Bonus Policy
New Baylor Pay position for Certified Nursing Assistants.Click Here for Baylor Pay Policy
For Inquiries please call or email H.R. at ktrauernicht@lccne.com E.O.E
For more information about child abuse and neglect reporting in Nebraska, visit the DHHS website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Abuse.aspx.
Read more about it HERE.
(Credit the Nebraska Examiner, July 5, 2024)
In-person and phone meetings are held weekly,
Mondays and Wednesdays, at noon, and Fridays at 5pm.
Hosanna Lutheran Church
700 S 18th St
Plattsmouth, NE
Come in person or attend by phone, call ing 605-562-8401, and enter access code 1239518#.
Dear Readers,
We want to build an online history about Murray.
Please submit any information you might know about our town to start creating this project.
If you own a business, let us know when you started and any informaton about the building and/or business located there before yours. Do you know the little gray building, CJ's Hair Salon, on Main Street used to be an ice cream shop? Do you also know that the Murray Christian Church used to be located just east of the Murray Repair Shop? In the early 1900's Murray's Main Street was devastated by a fire. Have you heard any information about that time that's been passed down from your ancestors?
You can also send information about your house - when it was built and any background about it. Was it one of the first homes in town? Is it haunted? What do you know about it? There's a little house in town that used to be the old railroad depot! Do you know where it is now, or that the old Murray Elementary School's mascot name was the Mustangs?
Any information would be helpful. Please send photos, too, if available! Photos should contain people's names and location and any other helpful information. This should become a fun, educational and informative piece of history that will continue to grow, and one that we're all building together! Thanks for your help!
Email your information to:
Editor@MurrayNebraska.com
LET'S GO 'THRIFTING' in OUR CASS COUNTY THRIFT STORES!
Save Money! Recycle! Help Your Cass County Communities!
HAVE FUN!
* * * * *
BE THE LIGHT THRIFT & GIFT
202 West H St
Weeping Water, NE
PROCEEDS TOWARD SUICIDE PREVENTION
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 5 ~ 7
WEDNESDAY: 2 ~ 7
THURSDAY: CLOSED
FRIDAY: CLOSED
SATURDAY: 9 ~ 4
*CLOSED ALL OF JANUARY & FEBRUARY
https://www.bethelight402.org/thrift-and-gift
https://www.facebook.com/Bethelightbethevoice/
* * * * *
BITS & PIECES
158 N 4th
Elmwood, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 9 ~ 4
WEDNESDAY: 9 ~ Noon
THURSDAY: 9 ~ 4
FRIDAY: 9 ~ 5
SATURDAY: 9 ~ 4
402-994-5755
https://www.facebook.com/p/Bits-and-Pieces-and-More-Thrift-Store-100057192261002/
* * * * *
HOPE'S CLOSET
109 Main St.
Louisville, NE 68037
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: Noon ~ 4
WEDNESDAY: Noon ~ 4
THURSDAY: 10 ~ 4
FRIDAY: 10 ~ 4
SATURDAY: 10 ~ 4
402) 234-1444
https://www.facebook.com/hopesclosetlouisville/
* * * * *
UNDER HIS WINGS
511 Main St.
Plattsmouth, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 10 ~ 5
WEDNESDAY: 10 ~ 5
THURSDAY: 10 ~ 5
FRIDAY: 10 ~ 5
SATURDAY: 10 ~ 2
(402) 802-7115
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054505718837
* * * * *
MY NEIGHBOR'S CLOSET
(South end of parking lot at Church of the Holy Spirit)
500 S 18th St.
Plattsmouth, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: CLOSED
WEDNESDAY: CLOSED
*THURSDAY: 10 ~ 2
*FRIDAY: 10 ~ 2
*SATURDAY: 10 ~ 2
*No air conditioning, so we'll be open if not too hot!
402-296-3139
https://holyspiritplattsmouth.com/my-neighbors-closet/
* * * * *
FOR the LOVE of JUNK
317 4th St
Murdock, NE 68407
OPEN: Usually Saturdays, 9 am ~ 4 pm, or by appointment only
402-297-1360
Elmwood Library Hours
Monday: 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
We welcome all who love to read, whether you're from Elmwood, Murdock, or beyond!
Come join us!
Easy Library Links
Online Card Catalog https://elmwoodpubliclibrary.follettdestiny.com/
DO YOU KNOW...
The Newsletter you're reading now is only one of several weekly online Cass County Newsletters? Here are some others you might be interested in subscribing to:
www.AlvoNebraska.com
www.CedarCreekNebraska.com
www.EagleNebraska.com
www.ElmwoodNebraska.com
www.GreenwoodNebraska.com
www.LouisvilleNebraska.com
www.NehawkaNebraska.com
www.ManleyNebraska.com
www.MurrayNebraska.com
www.MurdockNebraska.com
www.PlattsmouthNebraska.com
www.SpringfieldNebraska.com
www.UnionNebraska.com
www.UnadillaNebraska.com
www.WeepingWaterNebraska.com
Community Newsletters are FREE - you can subscribe for 1, or 2, or 3 ... or ALL of them!
Be informed, know what is going on in your community and your surrounding neighborhoods.
ATTENTION, VETERANS!
Do you need assistance? We're here to help!
Contact Cass County Veteran Service Officer
Email: ccvso@cassne.org
Admin Assistant: Jacie Victor
Email: ccvsoadmin@cassne.org
Call for appointment! 402-296-9368
ARE YOU 55+
and
LOOKING FOR PART-TIME WORK?
The following is an employment opportunity available to older adults in Cass County.
Experience Works is a national, non-profit organization funded by the US Dept of Labor to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which assists people 55 and older in getting updated training to assist in returning to the workforce. This is a federally funded program and offers a no-cost employment service to older adults who qualify.
Once accepted into the program, individuals are placed in a training site in or near their community, where they gain on the job experience while working 20-21 hours/week at $8/hour.
We also help with skill assessments, computer training, resumes, cover letters, job search, etc.
The goal is that through the training and job search assistance we gain help older adults gain good jobs in or around their communities.
Stephanie MahonyEmployment and Training CoordinatorExperience Works, Inc.
1111 "O" Street Ste 205
American Job CenterLincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 402-441-1654Fax: 402-441-6038
stephanie_mahony@experienceworks.org<;/a>
Nebraska Toll-free Number: 1-877-314-7526
https://www.keepcasscountybeautiful.com/index.php
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO THIS NEWSLETTER...
Below is a list of categories that we are happy to post, (at NO COST to you!), in the weekly Murray online newsletter:
Weddings
Engagements
Anniversary
Births
Letters to the Editor
Birthday Greeting
Upcoming Events
Cards of Thanks
Lost and Found
Obituaries
Recipes
Photos
and So Much More!
That's right! These are all items that can appear FREE of CHARGE in each Wednesday's Murray Newsletter and/or Calendar! All YOU have to do is send the information to us - it's that simple!
DEADLINE for submissions to each week's Wednesday Newsletter is NOON on the preceding MONDAY.
There are 3 ways you can submit your articles:
1) You may call your information to 402-235-2926 and leave a voice mail with your name and phone number.
2) Email your story with your name, contact info and story, in plain text to:
Send photos in .jpg format, no larger than 495 pixels wide or photos and fliers in a .pdf, to the e-address above with your story in plain text.
3) Send items via the U.S. postal service to:
Be sure to allow enough time to be received by Monday! Also, when mailing items you'd like to get back, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Remember to include 'who, what, when, where and why', along with any other helpful details, such as a contact person and phone.
Again, you must have your name and contact information included with the information.
Thanks for helping to keep YOUR Murray Newsletter fresh and up-to-date!
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SUBSCRIBE to the MURRAY NEWSLETTER
It's easy and FREE!
If you enjoy reading this Newsletter and would like to subscribe, (it's FREE), go to the 'SUBSCRIBE' box at the top of the Newsletter and enter your email address. Early each Wednesday you'll receive a message to click the link that will take you to the Newsletter.
NO WORRIES. We do NOT sell or give your e-address or phone to anyone!
If you have any trouble adding your e-address, please send a note to our website owners at John@wirebuilt.com or Irina@wirebuilt.com and they'll get it added. (They're the tech gurus here.)
Thanks for reading!
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