What's New

 

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Time to Reflect and Show Empathy...

Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong.

Sometime in life you will have been all of these.

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Cass County Nebraska voters who requested absentee ballots should have received them by now. They were mailed during the last week of September.

Remember that if you don't know about any of those running for office, it's important that you do your research. It's your right, if you only want to mark one oval on the ballot. Whatever, and whomever, you choose to vote for, do it wisely. Put as much time and thought into voting, as you would when buying a house, a car or a large appliance.  Don't vote solely because you've seen ads or yard signs with a name that sticks in your mind. Do your research about each person or topic that's on the ballot, and consider them logically. It's your right to vote, but it's your duty to find out the facts first.  Then make a 'pros' and 'cons' list and compare the two.  Remember to USE BLACK INK, FILL the OVALS COMPLETELY and SIGN the YELLOW RETURN ENVELOPE!

If you have already mailed, or taken your ballot to the Election Office, you can check the status of your ballot here: https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview.

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 Parks speak volumes about a town. They send a message to all that nature is to be enjoyed. On a beautiful afternoon, getting outside in the fresh air, gathering with friends and family, and just enjoying the simple things in life is one of life’s most basic pleasures. A chat with a friend on the park bench, kids gleefully playing on the swings and other equipment, picnic tables full of goodies, and sports teams hosting out-of-town visitors in another good-hearted, competitive game, brings lots of joy to a community and to those who visit it. Our parks in Murray are no exception. Much has been invested for your, and your family's, enjoyment. It takes years of planning and hard work from volunteers and village maintenance personnel to improve and keep our parks in good condition. In the past couple of years, we've been able to add more playground equipment, a memorial wall, and repair and update the bathrooms at Tyson Park.

Recently, there has again been vandalism at Tyson Park's new restrooms. Shredded rubber matting, used around the playground equipment has been scooped up and put into the toilets, sinks and all over the floors in the bathrooms. Soap dispensers have been emptied and filled with dirt. Vandalism causes plumbing and other, ordinarily unnecessary, repairs. That means more money has to be spent on manpower hours and supplies to clean up and fix the damage.

Now, in these uncertain times, the federal government's purse strings might soon be tightened for cities, towns and villages, due to the covid impact. It's possible that the bathrooms can't be opened again without that funding. That would deter a lot of people from using the parks.

Please talk to your children, no matter their age, about respecting and taking care of Village property. Have a serious talk with them and make it clear that the bathroom facilities are for their personal use, if needed, and that they are not their own private 'toys'. Make it clear to them that everyone who goes to the park expects the bathrooms to be in good working order. If a picnic or party is planned to gather there, the entire day could be ruined if vandals have caused the bathrooms to be closed. Explain to them who has to take care of the Village and how these things are paid for...from

YOUR OWN TAX DOLLARS.

Thank you.

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As of Monday, October 12, 2020, the covid-19 positive tests in Cass County, NE was up to 406, which was up from 385 the previous Friday. 

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Condolences to the Families of ...

Terry Kellison, of Murray

and Kay (Hull) Strong Nicolas, Bellevue, formerly of Rock Bluff.

Their obituaries can be read here:

https://www.robyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Terry-Kellison/#!/Obituary

https://www.robyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Kay-Strong-Nicolas/#!/Obituary

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T.E.A.M. PRESENTS FREE-DRIVE IN MOVIE TO KICK OFF RED RIBBON WEEK

Papillion, NE- Each year from October 23 to 31, individuals, schools, and communities across the United States show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle by wearing or displaying the red ribbon. Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs faced by individuals, families, and communities. This annual health observance encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands (T.E.A.M.) is hosting a FREE Drive-In Movie at Falconwood Park in Bellevue on October 22nd to kick off Red Ribbon Week. This “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free” event includes a tobacco-free family-friendly movie showing of “Hocus Pocus” for 100 vehicles free of charge. T.E.A.M. will provide each vehicle a complimentary goodie bag that includes a red ribbon. Anyone 18 years or older can register for a parking pass at www.TeamTobaccoFree.org. Only one person in each vehicle needs to register for a pass, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Social distancing measures will be taken and masks are required when outside of a vehicle.

“As many community events and activities have been postponed or canceled, we wanted to provide a safe experience for people to leave their homes and watch a movie in a tobacco-free setting outdoors – at no cost to them,” said Autumn Sky Burns, T.E.A.M.’s Outreach Coordinator for Sarpy County.

Falconwood Park will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. showing. Audio will be enabled through each car’s FM radio, and on-site attendants will guide vehicles to their parking spots and check that everyone follows the Sarpy Cass Health Department COVID-19 Event and Gathering Safety Plan. No tobacco or alcohol use is allowed inside or out of vehicles.

T.E.A.M. is a community coalition of organizations, educational and community groups, and individuals that meet monthly to educate and advocate for healthy tobacco-free communities. For more information, call 402-593-3022, email Info@TeamTobaccoFree.org or visit www.TeamTobaccoFree.org.

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Funding provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services/Tobacco Free Nebraska Program as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

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(For more information about Falconwood Park
Phone: 402.210.4747
Email: falconwoodpark@gmail.com
Address: 905 Allied Rd, Bellevue, NE 68123)

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(By Pat Zeigler, Editor) 

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Annie Oakley. She wore a cowgirl hat and fun clothes with fringe on them -and she rode a horse! There’s an old black and white photo around here somewhere of me, at about 4 or 5 years old, standing proudly on our front porch, wearing my Annie Oakley attire. I’d watch her show, ‘Fury’, and ‘My Friend Flicka’ every week on TV, just dreaming. And I still have my Black Beauty book that I’d read over and over and over again. I absolutely loved horses and had figurines of horses all over my room. Big and small, plastic or brass, some were souvenirs from places visited with my parents and one that I still have, was Grandma's, a brass one about 5" tall. It has a little beaded chain through its snout for the reins. I was partial to the buckskins and palominos, but any horse was fine with me.

We lived on a farm and I always wanted a horse, but all Dad would say was a very firm 'no'. When I would ask “why not?”, he just said, “One day I'll tell you, but for now, it's no”. That was it, end of story. Dad was a good guy, soft-spoken and very patient. I've been told by older family members that I'm a lot like him. But, like any kid, his answer never satisfied me.

Many years later, after I had my first daughter, Dad was at my house and I had a couple of my horse figurines in the living room. I'd given a couple of them to my little girl to play with, and he finally told me why I was denied having a horse as a kid. When he was only 9 years old, he saw his dad, my grandpa, get kicked, and killed by a horse. He said that I wouldn't have understood all of that, until I had a child of my own. He also didn’t want to deal with that horrible memory, and the fear, knowing that I would be with a horse every day. That's the only time he ever talked about it until the day he died. Still, I’ve continued to carry a love for these splendid creatures throughout my entire life.

Yesterday, the cool, brisk, cloudless autumn morning started off slow and uneventful, as usual. The only thing I could foresee in the next several hours was another long, boring day of staying home that included a couple of menial tasks - making the bed, washing the produce when Mike got home from the store, making supper, cleaning up dishes, etc. This social-distancing thing is for the birds, but this old girl is getting tired of it. I just keep telling myself that things will get better and this, too, shall pass, and to just be patient. Ugh.

I got a knock on the door, and there stood my neighbor, Greg. "Yeah, Pat, I brought your dogs back, but would you keep them home, please?”

"We don't have our dog anymore, remember? It must be the neighbor's big, yellow lab."

"No", he insisted. "I mean those small horses of yours," pointing toward the clotheslines at the north end of our back yard. For a split second, I worried that he'd had a sudden, severe ‘medical condition’ and didn't know what he was talking about. Should I call someone for help?

All of a sudden, from around the corner came a small black and white pony, Cutie, then another, Black Beauty, (aka Blackie)! They were just there, in my yard, leisurely 'mowing the grass', without a care in the world!

Where in the world had they come from? Each had a halter around its head, but trying to catch them was kind of tricky for Greg. He’d been working in his yard when he saw them, freely exploring the neighborhood. Finally, he caught them both, but we didn't know who they belonged to.

Jerome, our Village Maintenance guy, had been out there, too, and was guarding the open gate, for the ponies' possible getaway! After several minutes, he got a call saying they belonged to Ray, and that he'd be here to pick them up in a few minutes.

In the meantime, I gave 'the girls' a couple of apples for their afternoon snack, just as I did with all my other real kids, scratched under their chins, and waited till Ray got here, when Greg helped take them home.

These two little four-legged angels wandered out of their world, through our gate, and into my boring little afternoon for just a few minutes, but what a blessing it was, and just what I needed. I think Dad sent them.

Cutie and Black Beauty just stopped by for a short visit, and a snack.  'The grass is always greener', they'd heard.

Greg finally got a 'handle' on things!

Ray's asking Cutie where her manners are, eating others' grass and apples.  Shameful!

Time for them to go, but was a fun play date!

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Nebraska Bar Foundation Provides Free ‘I Voted’ Stickers, Encourages Teachers to Use New Curriculum

Lincoln, Neb. (October 13, 2020) – “I Voted” stickers for Nebraska students taking part in a new K-12 curriculum offered by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation are available for order at the Foundation’s website. The stickers, to be used as part of the Foundation’s Kids Voting - Nebraska ABC, can be ordered at no charge at https://www.nebarfnd.org/civics-education/kids-voting-nebraska-abc.

Doris Huffman, Foundation executive director, said Kids Voting-Nebraska ABC attempts to recreate the voting experience for Nebraska children and teens as accurately as possible, even featuring early voting. “It’s fun, educational and critical to creating communities in which citizens actively engage, participate and vote,” Huffman said. “We encourage teachers across the state, in these final days before the election, to take advantage of the excellent resources offered through Kids Voting - Nebraska ABC.”

The Foundation’s website also provides an online opportunity for students to vote for President, U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, beginning in early October and continuing through Election Day on Nov. 3.

The stickers and online voting opportunity are the culminating pieces of the Foundation’s new Civics Education program, Kids Voting - Nebraska ABC (A Ballot Counts), offered just in time for the 2020 election. The program for public, private and home schools provides a comprehensive curriculum with more than 160 lesson plans for K-12 students and a mock election template using paper ballots or electronic voting. The program also includes activities for families and teacher resources.

“The stickers are the Bar Foundation’s way to encourage students from kindergarten through 12th grade to learn about voting through Kids Voting - Nebraska ABC and to get involved in this year’s election. Kids Voting is intended to encourage family conversations about voting and citizenship,” said Steve Guenzel, president of the Bar Foundation. “The ultimate goal is to improve voter turnout, create lifelong voting habits and encourage active civic engagement across Nebraska.”

Kids Voting resources can be found at https://www.nebarfnd.org/civics-education/kids-voting-nebraska-abc.

“In Nebraska, 63 percent of the eligible voting population turned out to vote in 2016, which was above the national average,” Huffman said. “We believe Kids Voting - Nebraska ABC will build awareness and understanding of the process and help instill lifelong voting habits in these kids when they reach voting age. The goal is to eventually increase the percentage of Nebraskans who go to the polls in every election.”

Kids Voting is an affiliate of KidsVoting USA, administered by the Arizona Bar Foundation.

The Nebraska State Bar Foundation was incorporated in 1963 as a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization to serve as the philanthropic arm of Nebraska’s legal profession. The Foundation is dedicated to serving the citizens of Nebraska and the legal profession through innovative and creative programs directed at improving the administration of justice and fulfilling the American vision of equal justice for all. Learn more about the Foundation at www.nebarfnd.org.

 

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All children need a secure place to learn and grow. The ideal place should be in their own home, however many kids are not that fortunate.

In times of neglect or abuse, a child must sometimes be removed from their home at a moment's noticed and placed in a warm, safe place. Kids of all ages, from birth through high school, sometimes need the help of the Child Saving Institute.

CSI helps foster parents and biological families learn the skills they need for a safe, well-cared-for, and loving family life.During this unsettling time of covid-19, the Murray Christian Church is collecting essential cleaning items for the Child Saving Institute.

If you would like to donate, here are some things they could use:Pine Sol, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, sanitizing wipes, latex and powder-free disposable gloves, (L & XL), and hand sanitizer.

Please bring items to Murray Christian Church, 304 W Young St, Murray, NE on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, between the hours of 10 - 2:00. You may call the church ahead of time, 402-235-2527, to be sure someone will be there to assist you.

Thank you for helping to keep these children, (and the CSI staff), healthy and happy!

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HOW DID MY REPRESENTATIVE VOTE?

Your congressmen and senators are called 'representatives', because they're supposed to represent the people, (you), who voted for them.

You should be interested in how they've voted on certain issues and you can find out by going to one or more of the sites below.

Don't fill out your ballot until you're informed.

 

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes#_

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/votes_new.htm

https://www.congress.gov/

https://library.bu.edu/legis

https://clerk.house.gov/Votes

https://ballotpedia.org/voting_records

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TEN YEARS AGO...

On October, Conestoga Homecoming, Girl Scouts Fight Hunger, Conestoga FFA Land Judging Competition & the Cougars Fight Against Breast Cancer!

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VOTE! 

The FUTURE is in YOUR POWER!  

 

IF YOU'RE OVER 18, CLICK EITHER of the NEBRASKA ICONS BELOW to REGISTER TO VOTE!  IT'S YOUR RIGHT!

(Editorial by Patricia Zeigler, Editor, MurrayNebraska.com)

General Election: November 3, 2020

If you have any questions regarding elections, registering to
vote, filing for office, or working as an election worker,
contact the election office at:

201 Main Street
Plattsmouth, NE 68048

Call: (402) 296-9309 or email: linnm@cassne.org

Click HERE for an Election Calendar.

 

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NOW THAT YOU'VE REGISTERED, GET THE FACTS!

 

There are really NO EXCUSES for failing to vote.  You have to work that day?  No excuse.  Don't have a babysitter?  No excuse.  You don't want to go out in a crowd?  No excuse.  Do you know that any Nebraska resident who is a LEGALLY REGISTERED VOTER may request an EARLY-VOTING BALLOT APPLICATION, (also known as an 'ABSENTEE' ballot)? You don't even need to have a reason, (or an excuse), for the request! 

One excellent reason for voting by absentee, is the weather.  An ice or snow storm, heavy winds or torrential rains could possibly keep you from physically voting on the actual Election Day.  No worries about that with your mail-in vote either. 

Do you need another good reason for voting by mail? You might get sick and cannot physically go to your polling place.

The following should help you save time:   

• Cass County NE voters may print the Early Voting Ballot Application HERE.  
• OR call your local Election Office and ask for one to be mailed to you.  In Cass County NE, that's 402-296-9309.
• OR in Cass County NE, there is a box located outside the building where you can just pick one up. You may also pick one up at the Election Office inside.  The address is 201 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE, (white building southeast of the flag pole).

Accurately, completely fill out the form.   Include your name, residence address, phone number, mailing address you want the ballot sent to and your signature.  Even if you do the automatic fill-in form online, you still need to SIGN IT after you print it.  Mail it right away or take it to the Cass County NE Election Office and drop it in the box outside on the southwest wall of the building.

 On September 28th ballots will start to be sent out and you should receive yours shortly thereafter.

So get your Early Voting Ballot Application form filled-out now, before the big rush.  The last day to request an Early Voting Bal

lot to be mailed to you is October 23rd.

Just do it now.  Election Day will be here before you know it! 

For more information: NEBRASKA SECRETARY of STATE 
https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/early-voting-0

OR

Cass County NE Voters can also check HERE.

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Next to the Cass County Election Office door you'll see two sets of forms, one on the right for Voter Registration and on the left, the Early Voting Forms.

After they're filled out and signed, you may take them inside, mail them, or drop them in the 'Ballot Box' around the corner of the building, to the right of the big Election Office sign.

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Even during the summer and amid the Covid19 crisis, the Conestoga Backpack Program continues to furnish food to local families in need. The program serves the Murray, Nehawka, Union and Beaver Lake areas in southeast Nebraska, and will not turn anyone away.

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.

Also needed are hygienic supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, cotton swabs, tissues and toilet paper.

To make a monetary donation instead, please a check made payable to CONESTOGA BACKPACK PROGRAM may be mailed or deposited at Cornerstone Bank, 102 W Main St, Murray, NE 68409. 100% of all monies collected is used for food and hygienic supplies for the families.

To have the items picked up, call Jill at 402-660-3543 to make arrangements. As another alternative, you may drop them off at Cornerstone Bank in Murray or at their Beaver Lake location.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Click HERE to read the latest on COVID-19 in Sarpy and Cass counties.

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ATTENTION,  

CASS COUNTY NE RESIDENTS:

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ATTENTION MEMBERS and FRIENDS 

If you have a compromised immune system or do not feel safe going out to a public grocery store, we have 4 volunteers available to help. Please call the church office to request their services 402.235.2527.

Worship this week will be through Facebook Live.

Thank you,
Pastor Mike and the Murray Christian Church Board

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