Made possible in part by Community Sustaining Sponsor

Save the Date!

Conestoga Elementary's Annual Spring Carnival

will be held on

Friday, April 13th,

5:30-8:30 pm

in the school's gym, cafeteria and stage.

It is always a FUN night to get together and catch up, participate in a cake walk to win one of our many home-made cakes, for kids to tear through the two bounce houses, play carnival games, win PRIZES and eat cotton candy!

By purchasing discounted tickets early with our pre-sale event coming up or simply purchasing the night of the carnival you can enjoy all of this AND have a carnival type dinner as well (bbq sandwiches, hot dogs, super nachos, chips, drinks). A request for volunteers and a list of specific food donations needed is being sent home in the kids' backpacks.

Our high school's FFA organization, elementary teachers and staff as well as some businesses have already promised their time and resources to help us with the event but we could use more help and, of course, your attendence at the event!

conestoga cougar_picnik

CONESTOGA SPRING SPORTS

TRACK

SOCCER

If you have a new Spring Sports schedule, would you send it to me, please? See instructions at the end of the Newsletter.

Thanks!

Pat,

Your friendly Murray Newsletter Editor

Murray Garage Sales

are being planned for

Friday and Saturday,

June 8 and 9, 2012.

More details, such as cost of the ads,

to follow later.

MURRAY-BEAVER LAKE EASTER EGG HUNT!

Saturday, March 31st, 2012

10:00 a.m. (sharp)

At Tyson Park

Ages 10 and Under

Sponsored by Murray, Beaver Lake Lions and Beaver Lake Ladies Auxiliary

"OUTDOOR CLASSROOM"

COMMUNITY PROJECT

Every few years, the Conestoga Elementary PTO focuses on a major project. Our PTO was enlightened by research revealing the necessity of contact with nature for a healthy child. We learned that time in nature inspires creativity, reduces stress, improves test scores, health concentration, behavior, reduces obesity, depression, attention deficit disorder while promoting humility and connection. With the help of students, parents, staff and the community, our PTO has been raising and saving money for the past two years towards this community project. We are now ready to break ground and are looking to the community to help fulfill our vision. The following is a list of needed resources and volunteers:

help to remove broken concrete from the school/do you have a place we can put this concrete (not much)

pick-ups and drivers to haul and unload dirt, mulch and sand

donations of cut or fallen hardwood trees (oak, walnut, ash and hackberry preferred) 2' - 4' in diameter. These trees will be used to line the entrance as well as provide natural seating, stepping stones and enclose areas.

help to plant trees, shrubs and flowers

donations of used tractor tires for a "hill of tires" planted in sand

brick pavers or cobblestone to be used as the floor to the entrance of the classroom

boulders - we will be building a bridge over a currently hazardous drainage area and would like to install boulders around it for kids to climb

construction experience or willingness to help build a stage area and bridge

framer - we are looking for a framer to help put up the facade of a school which will provide the backdrop to our stage. We envision this to be wrapped in siding, so will also need siding installation experience.

concrete - we will be seeking bids for concrete to connect the areas within the classroom. We are interested in part of this path being stamped with animal footprints

Do you need help envisioning such a classroom? Please visit the following site to view an outdoor classroom in South Omaha: http://www.ops.org/elementary/gomezheritage/OutdoorClassroom/tabid/250/Default.aspx

If you have any of these items on your property and would be willing to donate them or if you are interested in donating your time and talent, we can make our dream come true! If you would like to see the professional drawings of this classroom or to get involved, please contact Allison Welch at 402-235-2539 or email me at allisonwelch@windstream.net

EVER WONDER

HOW to SUBMIT ARTICLES for this NEWSLETTER?

Instructions are at the end of every edition, so just scroll down to see just how easy it can be!

SORRY, THE CROCK-POT COOK-OFF

HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

The CASS COUNTY GOING GREEN recycle trailer will be located on these dates in the following towns:

Now - March 30, Nehawka

March 24 - 30, Murray

(Murray will also continue to have the recycle bin located behind Town Hall every day for Murray residents' use only.)

SENATOR LAMBERT

SERVE YOU!

2012 Senator_Paul_Lambert

Child Welfare is the State's Responsibility

March 16, 2012, Lincoln

My service on the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee is both interesting

and challenging. The HHS Committee is responsible for processing legislation for

public health, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health regions, alcohol and drug programs,

professional and occupational licensing, emergency medical care, housing and building

standards, community action agencies, vital statistics, rural and local health, foster care,

child care, adoption, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Nebraska's child welfare system and its administrative oversight by DHHS have been at

the forefront of the work of the HHS Committee and the legislature this session. The events

that led to this year's child welfare reform efforts predate my service as a state senator. I

have worked hard as an HHS Committee member to learn about what led us to this situation

and to support the systemic reforms that are moving through the legislative process this year.

The legislature and DHHS tried repeatedly but unsuccessfully to develop long-lasting

solutions to the problems that plagued the child welfare system for more than a decade.

Several years ago DHHS launched a new privatization plan that called for lead agencies

in several areas of the state to assume primary responsibility for administering the child

welfare system. Privatization soon turned out to be a number of small organizations struggling

but failing to do what one large state agency had previously been unable to manage. The lead

agencies were overwhelmed by the problems in the system and the number of children needing

care. Most agencies abandoned their lead contracts because there simply was not enough

money allocated to fund the program, and that situation left children without proper care and

subcontractors unpaid. In order to keep the remaining lead agencies in place, DHHS paid

them more than their contracts originally required. In spite of these financial incentives, service

quality continued to deteriorate, and the lives of children and their families were continually

disrupted. When it became clear that the privatization goals to improve care to children and

control costs were not being met, the legislature stepped in to seek meaningful ways in which

the state could meet its responsibility to individuals who depend on the child welfare system.

In January 2011 fifteen senators, including the seven members of the Health and Human

Services Committee, introduced Legislative Resolution 37. The resolution directed the

Committee to investigate the effects of privatization, as implemented by DHHS, on the

child welfare system. Research began immediately and continued into the summer and

fall last year with public hearings in Lincoln, Omaha, Norfolk and Scottsbluff.

In January 2012 five primary bills and one secondary bill were introduced as the legislature's

plan to repair and improve the child welfare system. LB 821, one of the primary bills, opens

with the following statement of legislative intent: “The Health and Human Services Committee

of the legislature documented serious problems with the child welfare system in its 2011 report

of the study that was conducted under Legislative Resolution 37;

Improving the safety and well-being of Nebraska’s children and families is a critical priority which

must guide policy decisions in a variety of areas;

To improve the safety and well-being of children and families in Nebraska, the legislative, judicial,

and executive branches of government must work together to ensure:

The integration, coordination, and accessibility of all services provided by the state, whether

directly or pursuant to contract;

Reasonable access to appropriate services statewide and efficiency in service delivery; and

The availability of accurate and complete data as well as ongoing data analysis to identify

important trends and problems as they arise; and

As the primary state agency serving children and families, the Department of Health and Human

Services must exemplify leadership, responsiveness, transparency, and efficiency, and program

managers within the agency must strive cooperatively to ensure that their programs view the

needs of children and families comprehensively as a system rather than individually in isolation,

including pooling funding when possible and appropriate.”

Next week I will outline the provisions of LB 821 and the other proposals that are designed to

improve Nebraska's child welfare system.

I am always interested in hearing your comments by mail, phone or email.

Senator Paul Lambert

State Capitol, PO Box 94604

Lincoln, NE 68509

(402) 471-2613

plambert@leg.ne.gov


	Apr 26–28 Country Bluegrass Show North Platte

	Apr 27–29 Arbor Day Celebration Nebraska City

	Apr 27–29	Bargain Buyway – The Ultimate Road Trip Sandhills & Lewis and Clark Communities

	Apr 28	Astronomy Day Morrill Hall, Lincoln

	Apr 28	Living History Day Plattsmouth

	Apr 28	The Great Nebraska Mushroom Hunt Peru

	Apr 30– May 4	Heartland Storytelling Festival Homestead National Monument of America, Beatrice

	May 1– Sept 30	Baseball at Boys Town Boys Town



	Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area Put this popular Sandhills retreat on your summer vacation list. Beautiful views and 3,000 acres of water create the perfect setting for boating, fishing and camping. Valentine

	Meadowlark Hill Lilac Collection Plan now to take in the sights and smells of one of the largest privately held lilac collections in the world. Open only during the second and third weeks of May. Ogallala

	20th Century Veterans’ Memorial Make a stop at this one-of-a-kind U.S. military display and pay homage to the men and women who bravely served their country. North Platte

	Fairbury Rock Island Depot Museum Set in a restored 1914 train depot, this hot spot for railroad history boasts a large model railroad display, a sizable collection of artifacts and miniature train rides. Fairbury

	Joslyn Art Museum A world of beauty and inspiration in a magnificent art deco building—the awe-inspiring museum displays exquisite artwork from antiquity to the present. Omaha

	Pioneers Park and Nature Center Outdoor opportunities are available year-round amidst prairie, wetland and woodland habitats. Experience walking trails, wildlife and outdoor gardens.

KBC Productions' Spring Production of

"THE KITCHEN WITCHES"

at Mahoney State Park's Kountze Theater

Isobel and Dolly are two middle-aged cable TV cooking show hostesses

who have hated each other for years. When circumstances put them together

on the same TV show, the insults are flung harder than the food!

Starring in the production as the two feisty food flingers are Shari Hoelker

of Omaha and Melinda Mead of Plattsmouth. Cory Misek of Lincoln plays

Dolly's long-suffering son. Marikita Saure of Lincoln is also in the show.

The play is directed by Kevin Colbert.

Show dates for the production are March 23-25, 30, 31, April 1, 7,

13-15, 20 and 22.

Curtain time is 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday performances

are 2pm matinees.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Please call (402)944-2523 ext 7122 for reservations.

KBC productions also noted that the "Mahoney Grill" is now open. The park's

restaurant is under new management with a new menu. Those that attend the

shows will now have the opportunity to try the new fare before or after the play.

Pictured: Shari Hoelker and Melinda Mead.

COMMUNITY LENTEN PASTA DINNERS

HOSANNA LUTHERAN CHURCH

March 30^th:Lasagna

Meal to include: Pasta (meat or meatless), garlic toast, salad, relish tray, dessert, drinks

Carry out containers available

5:00 to 7:00 pm

$6.00 per person

5 yrs and under Free

700 South 18^th Street

Plattsmouth, NE

Across from Plattsmouth Middle School

red-cross

Blood Donation Opportunities

The American Red Cross reminds eligible, volunteer blood donors that in about an hour, they can help save lives by donating blood. As Americans become increasingly mobile, eligible donors can feel good knowing that when donating blood through the Red Cross, they may be helping patients not only in their local community, but also their family and friends across the nation.

Approximately 21,000 times a day, patients receive blood from Red Cross blood donors. All blood types are currentlyneeded to help maintain a sufficient and stable blood supply. Feel good about giving back to those in need by donating blood today.

CASS COUNTY

3/26/2012, 11:30 am- 5:30 pm, Plattsmouth Methodist Church, 702 Main St, Plattsmouth

2012 EVENTS at ART CHICKS

March 30 & 31, Free Craft Make & Take, Easter Bonnet Parade 31st

April 14, Purse Swap

April 27 & 28 - Friday Saturday, Spring Flea Market

May 11 & 12, Special Day Out for Moms with free make and take art project

May 26, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

June 23, Cocktails in the Garden with Plant & Garden Junk Sale, Plant Swap

July 29, Sunday, 9 to 4: Flea Market and Old Fashioned Dessert Festival/Car show

September 24, Saturday, Chocolate Festival - Chocolate themed meal and treats at all the shops

October, All Month Long - Shopping bonanza! Punch card, visit all the local participating stores and enter to win a drawing for shopping spree worth over $300.00.

October 29, Saturday, Witches Brew Party -11:00 and 1:00 is our grand celebration of everything Halloween! Two blocks full of music, dancing, broom ceremonies, fortune telling and much more. Free gift to those who dress up. Saturday 2:30 Little Witches in Training Party Bring your little ones to a special 2:30 seating to celebrate Halloween and all its glory. Come in costume and learn about Halloween traditions, make believe fun and dancing.

November 12, Holiday Open House & Art Chicks Lunchorama Stop in and see all the new Holiday decor and Gifts in over 5 shops. Husker items, jewelry, purses, kitchen goods, baby and kids too. Reserve your table for 2 or 52 and enjoy a show of the latest jewelry for the season from several designers and handmade gifts from local artisans.

December 3, Ringing in the Season All of Louisville will be bustling with the sounds and activities of the season. Kids Shopping with children’s luncheon at 2:30 Bring your little one and they can shop and wrap presents for Christmas surprises for everyone on their list.

December Holiday Camp, Ladies, time to learn some new tricks to make your holiday prep easier. Spend time in Camp gaining the skills to “do it all” or at least laugh so much the stress disappears.

Visit coopandfeathers.blogspot.com and louisvilleartchicks.com for more details.

Art Chicks 402-234-2669

Tenth Annual

Nebraska American String Teachers Association

Fiddle Tune Composition Contest

This event inspires fiddlers everywhere to compose their own tunes, and supports the cause of string education throughout the great state of Nebraska.

1st PLACE: $100.00 2nd PLACE: $50.00 3rd PLACE: $25.00

Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2012.

The winners will be announced on May 26, 2012, during the Monumental Fiddling Championship held at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska. The winning compositions will be performed at the Monumental Fiddling Championship & Acoustic Band Contest, and printed in Stringing Along, the journal of the Nebraska Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

For the 2012 contest rules and guidelines, emaildebby@greenblattandseay.com.

For more information about the Nebraska American String Teachers Association, log on to the web site at www.neasta.org.

Greenblatt & Seay Publications, in Avoca, Nebraska is a proud Sponsor of the Nebraska ASTA Fiddle Tune Composition Contest.

The 2012 Contest Rules and Guidelines:

1. Each submission should be an original composition which must be unpublished and composed after March 31, 2011.

2. Composers may submit more than one tune, but only one prize will be awarded to any one composer.

3. Four copies of the music must be submitted via computer generated sheet music, or hand-written sheet music.

4. The composer should include their name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and the title of the piece.

5. The entry fee of $20.00 should be sent in at the time of submission. Checks should be payable to Nebraska ASTA.

6. If you wish to receive written evaluation of your tune by the judges, include a stamped, self-addressed
envelope with your entry.

7. Nebraska ASTA assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to works submitted.

8. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2012.

9. Send your entry to Deborah Greenblatt, The Old Schoolhouse, PO Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska,68307-0671.

The composer is responsible for keeping a copy of their work, as well as for copyrighting their tune.

10. The composer understands that if their tune is one of the winners, Nebraska ASTA has permission to have the piece performed on May 26, 2012, in Beatrice, Nebraska, as well as permission to reprint the tune in Stringing Along, the newsletter of Nebraska ASTA.

Greenblatt & Seay Publications, in Avoca, Nebraska is a proud Sponsor of the Nebraska ASTA Fiddle Tune CompositionContest.

For more information about the Nebraska American String Teachers Association, log on to the web site at www.neasta.org.

***

The Schoolhouse Performance Series

will feature multi-instrumentalists Greenblatt & Seay performing

"Train Songs"

on Sunday, April 8, at 2:30 PM, downstairs in

The Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska.

This upbeat excursion includes stories, guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica,

and sing-alongs with a variety of popular train inspired songs.

The concert will be followed by light refreshments, and a chance to chat

and even jam with the performers. Avoca is in southern Cass County,

Nebraska, on the 13 C Spur, one mile south of Highway 34.

Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students & seniors, and

$1.00 for children.

For more information, call 402-275-3221, log on to www.greenblattandseay.com,

or e-mail debby@greenblattandseay.com.

The historic Old Avoca Schoolhouse was built in 1925, and has been the

home of the Schoolhouse Performance Series since 1990. Music lessons,

workshops, fiddle camps, and field trips are offered by Schoolhouse residents,

Greenblatt & Seay, and are available by appointment.

Free Commercial Property

The Village of Union, a municipal corporation located within Cass County, Nebraska, is requesting

solicitations from individuals and corporations to receive free commercial property located within the Village of Union, with such property having a legal description of: South Union Lots 5, 6, 7 & East 4'6 Lot 8, Block 2, in Union, Cass County, Nebraska, with a lot size of 72' x 135'. This property is located on Main Street which is located on Highway 34 and just off the intersection of Highway 75.

To be eligible to receive this free commercial property, the individual or corporation must send a solicitation to the following address postmarked by April 1, 2012: Village of Union, Att: Village Clerk, P.O. Box 127, Union, NE 68455. To receive this free property, the person/entity must agree to do the following:

1. Remove and/or demolish the current structures on the premises or refurbish the current structure, to include the south retaining wall, no later than October 1, 2012.

2. Place a commercial structure on the property no later than September 1, 2013.

The solicitation must, at a minimum, contain the following:

1. The name, address, and phone numbers of the individual or entity submitting the solicitation, to include a description of the individual's/entity's current and past business ventures.

2. A detailed description of person's/entity's plans for such commercial property.

3. A letter of credit from a bank or lending institution that demonstrates the individual's or entity's ability to receive financing to demolish the current site structures and place a commercial structure on the property by September 1, 2013.

The Village Board of Trustees will create a committee to review the solicitations. A decision will then be made by the Village Board of Trustee by May 1, 2012 to choose which solicitations, if any, is in the best interest of the Village.

The Village will provide the individual or entity who is awarded the property the following by June 1, 2012:

1. A general conveyance deed with right of reverter to Village if commercial property is not constructed by September 1, 2013; and

2. Free sewer and water hookup.

Please contact Melissa Hansen, Village Clerk, at 402-263-3865 or villageofunion@yahoo.com

LOFTE THEATRE

Another popular touring show is coming to the Lofte on April 21st. "Rave On!" features America's premiere Buddy Holly tribute artist and Nebraska native, Billy McGuigan. In this electrifying show, audiences will experience the thrills of a Buddy Holly concert re-imagined with hits such as "Peggy Sue," "It's So Easy," and "That'll Be the Day."

RaveOn

"Rave On!" has run for sold-out crowds several times in Omaha and we're proud to bring this popular show to Cass County. Showtime is 7pm on Saturday, April 21st. All seats are reserved and cost $28. As of the end of December, there are only 200 tickets left. We strongly suggest that you make your reservations today.

The Lofte Theatre is located just east of the village of Manley. If you have any questions or wish to purchase tickets, please call the box office at (402) 234-2553.

HOW to SUBMIT ARTICLES for this NEWSLETTER...

Event announcements and advertising can be an enormous expense when you're wanting or needing to get the word out. If you've checked into regular newspaper pricing lately for such items, you'll know what I'm talking about. So why spend your hard-earned money, when you can accomplish the same thing right here - FREE - on your local news website?

Below is a list of categories that will cost you absolutely nothing, except the time to submit it, (which you'd have to do with a regular newspaper anyway):

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Lost and Found

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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!