December's here. . .





Young Readers Invited to Write to Favorite Authors
Young readers in grades 4-12 are invited to write a personal letter to an author for the Nebraska Letters about Literature (LAL) contest, a state reading and writing promotion program. The letter can be to any author (living or dead) from any genre-fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic-explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s view of the world. Submissions must be completed online November 1- December 31, 2021. Nebraska Letters About Literature is coordinated and sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Library Commission, with support from Houchen Bindery, Ltd., Humanities Nebraska, and Chapters Bookstore in Seward.
The Nebraska Center for the Book’s panel of judges will select a winner and an honorable mention per competition level (Level I for grades 4-6, Level II for grades 7-8, and Level III for grades 9-12) to be honored in a proclamation-signing ceremony at the state capitol during National Library Week in April 2022. Their winning letters will be placed in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. Nebraska winners and honorable mentions will receive state prizes.
Teachers, librarians, and parents can download the contest guidelines, free teaching materials, information on the online entry system, and past winning letters on the Nebraska Center for the Book website. A recording of the informational NCompass Live webinar on November 3rd, discussing this year’s contest, is available online. For more information contact Nebraska Center for the Book.
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 .

Local Volunteers and Blood Donors Needed
To Schedule Your Upcoming Blood Drive Donation, click HERE or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767):
Monday, Dec 6, 2021
Avoca Town Hall
623 House Street
Avoca, NE
1 - 6 pm
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Plattsmouth High School
19116 Highway 34
Plattsmouth, NE
8 am - 2 pm
Wednesday, December 20, 2021
Louisville Selnior Center
423 Elm St
Louisville, NE 68037
9 am - 3 pm
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Murray Christian Church
304 W Young St
Murray, NE 68409
NOON - 6 pm
Thursday, January 6, 2022
City Building
101 W Eldora Ave
Weeping Water, NE 68463
NOON - 6 pm
Monday, January 24, 2022
VFW Post 2543
510 1st Ave
Plattsmouth, NE
11:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday, February 13, 2022
First Baptist Church
16220 Hwy 75
Plattsmouth, NE 68408
11 am - 4 pm
About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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!

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.
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
Also needed are hygienic supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, cotton swabs, tissues and toilet paper.
To make a monetary donation instead, 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!
HELP WANTED:

LOFTE COMMUNITY THEATRE - is now accepting applications for a part time hourly office/business manager at our Manly, NE, theatre. This is a critical role responsible for managing Lofte business associated activities, advertising, entering financial transactions, office management and assisting with ticket sales. Computer literacy and customer service skills required; QuickBooks experience, artistic skills helpful. View full job description and download application from the link:https://www.lofte.org/copy-of-staff. Submit applications to: lofteboard@gmail.com This institution is an EOE Lofte Community Theatre 402-234-2553.
MASONIC HOME JOBS, UPDATED 2021-11-08



KEEP READING about EVENTS in our NEIGHBORING TOWNS








211 Main Street, Louisville, NE
cornhuskercountrymusic@gmail.com
Like us on FB!
Call for our upcoming schedule, 1-800-480-8797, EXT 211, and you may leave us a voice mail at the end of the message if you'd like!





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.

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
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! Click HERE.
You will receive an email Wednesday morning at 6:30 with a link to the NL.
You may also receive the Murray NL on your mobile device at 1:30 that same day by entering your number at the 'MURRAY MOBILE' box on this page.
NO WORRIES. We do NOT sell or give your e-address or phone to anyone!
Community Sustaining Sponsors 2021

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Read Our Neighbors' Newsletters!
Also FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS to these Newsletters!
Click on any of the links below to subscribe.
Click to Read today's SpringfieldNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's PlattsmouthNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's WeepingWaterNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's NehawkaNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's CedarCreekNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's AvocaNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's ElmwoodNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's MurdockNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's LouisvilleNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's EagleNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's MurrayNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's UnadillaNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's UnionNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's AlvoNebraska Newsletter
Click to Read today's ManleyNebraska Newsletter
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