What's New

 ~Author Unknown~

(Oh, and hurry up, Spring!)

ATTENTION:

Please send your group's notifications for upcoming events for publication in the Murray Newsletter.  There are Easter Egg Hunt's,  special events at school,  ball games and all kinds of activities coming up, so if you want to spread the word, let us know.  This is a FREE service to all of our readers, so why not take advantage of it?   Instructions for submitting your news is at the bottom of this Newsletter.

The Murray Board of Trustees monthly meeting was held on February 11, 2014.  Click on the Village Office tab above to read the meeting minutes.

RUTH ROSS

Former Conestoga teacher, Ruth L. Ross, 92, of Nebraska City, formerly Nehawka, died Feb. 20, 2014 at her home.

 Ruth graduated from Union High School and Peru State College where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Education.  She then taught at Taylor District #12 Cass County School east of Union for two years and at Union Elementary for six years.  She married Victor D. Ross in 1947 at the Union Methodist Church in Union. The couple settled in Nehawka where they farmed and raised their family.  Ruth returned to teaching and taught at Plattsmouth, Nehawka, and Murray (Conestoga) for 32 years. She then was a substitute teacher at Murray and Nebraska City for 16 years.

A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Nehawka Methodist Church.  Memorials may be given to the Nehawka Methodist Church or the Nehawka Senior Center.

Remembrances may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com.

L. to R. Dirk Petersen, general manager, The Nucor Steel Bar Mill, Gov. Dave Heineman, Max Tejeda, owner, Tejas Tubular Products, Inc., and Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman Gov. Heineman announces 200 new manufacturing jobs to Norfolk area Tejas Tubular, a Texas-based manufacturer, will bring approximately 200 jobs to Madison County over the next several years. Construction will begin on the new 350,000 sq. ft. facility in 2014 with completion projected by the third quarter of 2015. Nucor Steel Bar Mill of Madison County will supply more than 150,000 tons of steel for products that include casing, drill pipe, and line pipe for oil and gas production. Tejas Tubular will apply for incentives under Nebraska Advantage Tier six that requires a minimum investment of $109 million and 50 jobs. The company plans to hire more than 200 employees when they are fully operational. Additionally, the State has invited the company to apply for $1.4 million from its Site and Building Development Fund, and the City of Norfolk has earmarked $3.6 million in funds for the project. The Site and Building Development Fund provides financial assistance for such eligible activities as infrastructure development and improvements, and other preapproved costs.   Tejas Tubular is a primary supplier to oil and gas producers throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Securing additional natural gas capacity to Norfolk was key to the success of this project. Black Hills Energy is working with Norfolk to ensure that Tejas Tubular has the natural gas supply it needs, by adding a new natural gas line to increase reliability and supply to northeast Nebraska. The approx. 50 mile-long line will increase the natural gas supply by more than 50 percent and connect to Northern Natural Gas Company’s interstate pipeline, allowing northeast Nebraska to get gas from multiple interstate pipelines. Tejas Tubular Products, Inc., was founded in January 1990 in Houston, Texas, by Chief Executive Officer Maximo A. Tejeda. In 2008, Max Jr. joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. Soon afterwards the company expanded to four primary manufacturing facilities in the U.S., all of which service the American oil and gas fields. Additionally, Tejas Tubular services customers in most oil and gas operating basins throughout the world. Today, with more than 700 employees in the U.S., Tejas Tubular offers a complete line of Oil Country Tubular Goods specializing in alloy products for use in oil and gas wells. More information on Tejas Tubular Products, Inc., can be found at their website www.tejastubular.com.

Latino BD consultant represents growing constituency Marta Sonia Londono Mejia has been named Latino Business Development Consultant for DED—a new position designed to address specific business needs of the state’s fastest-growing population. Londono Mejia will be located in Omaha, but is available to assist Latino- and minority-owned businesses across the state. Born in Colombia, Londono Mejia earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia. Her undergraduate degree included a specialization in Finance. She moved to Nebraska to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Previously, she served as executive director of the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and, later, led the efforts of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation, both in Omaha. As part of the BD field service team, she will be available to provide information and coordinate services related to DED programs. An April 2011 report of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Agricultural Economics analyzed 2010 U.S. Census Data and found that Nebraska residents of Hispanic or Latino origin increased 77.9 percent from the population identified in the 2000 census. Latino population growth was much faster than general population growth in all Nebraska county types (metropolitan, micropolitan core, small trade center, small town, and frontier). Latino growth, as with the general population, was fastest in metropolitan counties. Contact Marta Sonia Londono Mejia at 402-315-0234 or marta.londono@nebraska.gov.

DED’s new programs geared to 2nd-stage companies, entrepreneurs DED is accepting referrals from Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs)--please see below--for its new Economic Gardening® and  Ice House Entrepreneurship programs. The Economic Gardening® program offers a way of thinking about supporting second-stage growth companies, and lets businessowners know how valuable they are to their local economies. Economic Gardening® addresses strategic growth challenges, including developing new markets, refining business models, and gaining access to competitive intelligence. More information is available athttp://edwardlowe.org/tools-programs/economic-gardening/ DED will select and fund five Nebraska companies for Economic Gardening services in the NCEG program. The Ice House Entrepreneurship program engages participants in fundamentals and opportunities of an entrepreneurial mindset.  The Ice House Entrepreneurship program has garnered international attention from academic and economic development organizations. A short “sketchbook” on the program is available athttp://www.youtube.com/watch? Whether newly-minted young adult entrepreneurs, or long-time workforce professionals, all should have a willingness and interest in exploring and learning about the entrepreneurial mindset.  For information about either program, contact Nisha Avey at 402-471-1446, or nisha.avey@nebraska.gov.                                                                                                                                                  Morio Denki Co. Ltd. President Mataichi Sakai and Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann wear festive Happi coats. Morio Denki opens in Lincoln Morio Denki Co., Ltd.,  which specializes in rolling stock compontents, hosted a reception in January to celebrate its new Lincoln operations.  The company will be a major supplier to Kawasaki here in the Capitol City. Both have maintained a long relationship. Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann and DED Director Catherine Lang attended the reception.  Also attending were Mr. Mataichi Sakai, president of Morio USA Corporation’s parent company in Japan, eight Morio Denki Board of Director members, and Ichiro Sone, Chief Executive Director of the Japan External Trade Organization Chicago Office. As part of the celebration, the Morio Denki delegation also met with Gov. Heineman at the State Capitol, and toured Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. Morio USA Corporation President, Mr. Tamio Takano, has moved to Lincoln and soon will be joined by Mr. Koichi Tagawa. Nebraska rankings  •#3 in Business Friendliness, CNBCAmerica's Top 5 States in Businesse 2013 •#2 Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc. Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2013 •#4 Wall Street JournalBest Run States in America: A Survey of All 50 •#6 Forbes Best States for Business 2013 •#4 Lincoln and •#17 Omaha Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers 2013 ESOs (chambers of commerce, universities, small business development center, technology councils, and economic development agencies) may refer second-stage companies that meet the following eligibility criteria: • For-profit, privately-held companies headquartered in Nebraska for at least the past two years. •Generate annual revenue between $750,000 and $50 million. •Employ between 6 and 99 full-time employees. •Demonstrate growth in employment and/or revenue during any two of the past five years. •In addition to local markets, provides products or services to regional, national and international markets. •Are directly referred by an ESO.   REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER FIDDLE CAMPS Registration is now open for the 2014 Schoolhouse Fiddle Camps, in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska. Deborah Greenblatt, championship fiddler, author of many fiddle collections, will help the campers get in touch with their inner fiddler. The course of study during the Schoolhouse Fiddle Camps will be designed specifically for the individual campers who sign up. The June Camp (Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13) is for folks who consider themselves beginners. The July Camp (Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18) is for folks who consider themselves intermediate or advanced. Enrollment is limited to 10 fiddlers for each week, so that everyone will get individual attention. For more information, e-mail Deborah at debby@greenblattandseay.com. To register on line, log on to: http://www.greenblattandseay.com/schoolhouse_fiddle_camp.shtml

CASS COUNTY CASA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are currently recruiting CASA Volunteers for the upcoming training session scheduled in April 2014. We only train two classes a year, call and reserve your spot today.

What does a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer do? Each CASA volunteer is screened, trained and completes 30 hours of pre-service training. Once trained, CASA volunteers are assigned under the Juvenile Court jurisdiction to speak on behalf of a child to ensure the needs and interests of abused and neglected children are being met.

Who are CASA volunteers? Our active volunteers are individuals from our community who work part-time, full-time or are retired. Volunteers commit to one year with a child, but seldom leave a case until it has been terminated.

If I can't be a CASA volunteer, how can I help? In addition to training new CASA volunteers, we are also in need of administrative services support such as filing, data entry and making copies.

Your help directly benefits the Cass County CASA Program. A donor-supported volunteer organization whose mission is to offer court-appointed volunteer advocacy to children that are abused, neglected and often find themselves lost in the court system. Through Cass County CASA, these children are placed with advocates that speak on their behalf and know them well enough to make informed recommendations to the judge.

Please call Angie Neumiller, Executive Director at 402-296-9620 or email  director@casscasa.org and become a CASA volunteer today.

Irish Music Concert

Greenblatt & Seay's Schoolhouse Performance Series features a concert of Irish music on Sunday, March 9, at 2:30 PM, in the Old Avoca, Nebraska Schoolhouse. Greenblatt & Seay 9will be singing and playing a variety of instruments, including fiddle, pennywhistle, folk harp, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and recorders. Traditional Irish tunes will be featured, along with some Greenblatt & Seay originals inspired by the great Irish traditions.  

Greenblatt & Seay have been playing and singing together since the night they met, decades ago. Their performance on March 9 will include the championship fiddling styles of Deborah Greenblatt, and the fancy whistle-playing of David Seay. 

The concert will be downstairs and followed by light refreshments.  You'll have 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 and senior citizens, and $1.00 for children. Seating is limited.For more information, write to Greenblatt & Seay, The Old Schoolhouse, P.O. Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307, or call 402-275-3221, or e-mail them at 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.

Community Sustaining Sponsors 2014

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor


2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

 
2014 Community Sustaining Sponsor

HOW to SUBMIT ARTICLES for 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:

Wedding / Engagement AnnouncementsPhotosBirth AnnouncementsLetters to the EditorBirthday GreetingUpcoming EventsCards of ThanksLost and FoundObituariesRecipesand 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 NO LATER THAN NOON on the prior MONDAY.

1) You may call your information to 402-235-2926 and specify that you want your info inserted in the Newsletter. Leave a voice mail with your name and phone number.

2) Email your story in plain text to:      Editor@MurrayNebraska.com">Editor@MurrayNebraska.com with your name and contact info.

Send photos ONLY in .jpg format, no larger than 450 pixels wide.

Photo editing is super easy! Just go to http://www.picmonkey.com.

Click on 'Edit Your Photo', then 'Resize'.

Enter any number below 495, then save as .jpg. That's it!

Then just send it to us here at the Murray Newsletter with your story in plain text.

3) Send items via the U.S. postal service to: Editor, MurrayNebraska.com, 201 N How Ave, Murray, NE, 68409-8403. (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.

DO NOT SEND PHOTOS LARGER THAN 450 PIXELS WIDE!

DO NOT SEND 'ZIP' FILES!

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!

www.MurrayNebraska.com

**********

SUBSCRIBE to the MURRAY NEWSLETTER...

We're glad you're enjoying reading the FREE Murray Newsletter! Would you like to automatically receive it every week?

At the top of the 'Home' page, just slide your mouse over the 'WHAT'S NEW' tab. When the drop-down menu appears with 'NEWSLETTER', slide the mouse to the right to 'SUBSCRIBE to NEWSLETTER', then fill in your e-address.

It's absolutely FREE and no need to worry...we won't sell or distribute your address to anyone!