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CASS COUNTY 4th of JULY COMMITTEE RECOGNITION 

 

It truly takes more than just a few people to put on an event such as this every year. If you are not listed, please know that it's not an intentional omission. Sometimes it's impossible to remember everyone who so generously gives of his or her time. Below is a partial list of the many volunteers who have donated so much of their time for such a beloved event. THANK YOU to everyone listed below and to any that may have been missed, or who prefer to remain anonymous.

 

ORIGINAL FOUNDING MEMBERS:

Gladys Hauschild

Daryld Sevard (according to Gladys, this is how you spell his name!)

Norma Spangler (Deceased)

 

LONGTIME VOLUNTEERS

Jerry Blasig held nearly, (if not all), positions on this committee and never hesitated to do whatever was necessary to get the job done.  He helped to make fliers promoting the festivities and was a member of the organizing committee for 15 or more years. Thank you, Jerry, for your countless hours and commitment!

Keith Felthousen was a past officer and volunteer, as well. He is most known for running the tractor pulls and was a member for at least a dozen years! Thanks, Keith, for your help. You ROCK!

Hilda Resso has been with the committee almost since the beginning. She ran the concession stand for years and the yum-yums she made were legendary! She would coordinate shift workers in the concession stand and pick up the slack herself when someone couldn't make it. She also had fliers printed and posted them around the area. Hilda also made sure ice was never a problem. In the early years of our local celebration, she would carefully wash empty milk jugs and dishpans and fill them with water to freeze for the 4th. She would do this months in advance just to make sure there was plenty of ice for the big day!         Hilda, you're one in a million! Thanks!

Mike Gillott  was our expert BINGO caller from the very beginning. He was always available, always dependable and always helped to make it fun!  We appreciate your time, Mike, and wish you many BINGO's in life! Thanks so much!

Sandy Prall has been secretary for the past few years. Her husband, Jack, has helped immensely, as well, wherever he was needed. (Since Sandy failed to give me any other information about their roles in this event, I'll just say that the past few years' celebrations would have been very difficult to pull off, if it hadn't been for their time and dedication. So when you see them, tell them, "THANK YOU"!!)

 

This is only a partial list of the countless donors who helped to make this event a success:

Wiles Bros. Fertilizer, Inc. (Cash)

N & W Transfer, Inc. (Cash)

Murray State Bank (Cash and Murray Dollars)

We would like to extend a special nod to Janet Gruber of Brown Floral in Plattsmouth – Janet is there in a pinch and always willing to create beautiful things for us! As a former member of our committee, (and oozeball coordinator for several years!), she understands the value of good people and donating time. Our Grand Marshal's flowers for this year's celebration were DONATED by Brown Floral. Janet and her creative staff designed all the bouquets for our honored guests.

LaVonne Beil has graciously let part of the celebrations take place on a portion of her property where the tractor pulls were held and she allowed abundant parking there, too, close to the action. Thanks for the use of your land, LaVonne!

For many years, George Blessing set up the p.a. system that was used at the parks to announce what and when the next activity would take place, who the little Mr. and Miss 4th of July were, the results of the contests or even lost and found items.  The National Anthem could be heard much better with the sound system he had set up!  Thanks, George, for making it so much easier for everyone to hear.

Thank you, also, to the Murray Village Board, for the use of the parks,  streets for the parades and dances, and who also granted permission for the oozeball tournaments to take place on town property.  Those tournaments brought hundreds, if not thousands, of folks into our little town every summer, just to watch players slip and slide through the muck! After the 4th, kids used to go back to dig through the drying mud to find flip flops and old sneakers that had come off some poor contestants' feet!

Gretchen King has also donated a lot of her time doing whatever needed to be done.  This year I saw her helping with parade line-up.  And one year, I saw her whizzing around town in a golf cart with a big bag of ice next to her.  I know it wasn't just to keep her cooled down in the extreme heat, but sure she was probably headed toward a small concession stand or church somewhere to help out.  Thanks, Gretchen!

And last, but not least, a BIG THANK YOU to Al Konfrst, our town maintenance guy, who made sure the parks were mowed, trash picked up and restrooms were clean and properly supplied. Hard to remember a 4th of July when AL wasn't working somewhere around town.  

As you can see, it really takes a lot of ambition and people working together to keep an event like this running from year to year.  Thanks, again, to everyone who has helped in any way, big or small, through the years to make these celebrations something to remember!

 

 

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 MURRAY AREA EVENTS...

PAST YEARS' 4th of July GRAND MARSHALS

1993 John Deitl (D)

1994 Towner Livingston (D)

1995 Harold Spangler (D)

1996 Harold Rice (D)

1997 Ruby Lancaster (D)

1998 Loren Haveman

1999 Raymond Lancaster (D)

2000 Hilda Resso

2001 George Blessing

2002 John Meeske

2003 Mildred Stone (D)

2004 (in memory of) Norma Spangler (D)

2005 Katherine Hobscheidt (D)

2006 Bruce, Glen, Marvin Wiles (Wiles Bros.)

2007 Lavonne Beil

2008 Gladys Hauschild

2009 Duane Hobscheidt

2010 Lois Minford

2011 Margaret Meisinger (D)

2012 Alice Fales

2013 Christa & Jeff McDonald

 

 

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CELEBRATING IN PAST YEARS

 

Someone recently inquired if Murray was the county seat. I asked why they thought that and they said they'd heard about the huge 4th of July celebrations in our town every year. I explained that even though Murray wasn't the county seat, we've hosted the Cass County event for the better part of the past 25 years or so. People came, (and boy, did they come!) - arriving in droves, not only from our closest Nebraska towns and cities, but also from Iowa and Missouri, and our southern neighbors in Kansas even headed north - to our little town.

Families planned their vacations to include 'coming home' to Murray over the 4th, or to take their breaks from work either before or after the 4th, just so they could stay close for the festivities here at home. Class and family reunions were held here during that time, too, so visitors could get a taste of why we love it here. Cars lined both sides of nearly every street in town. You just kind of figured out early in the day that it's best to just park your car and leave it, 'cause you were there for the duration!

And just what was the magic elixir that drew them here year after year? Our little Cass County villages, with physical dimensions that might be small, have hearts and spirit as big as the Nebraska sky! It helps to put the spark, not only in the fireworks, but in each and every citizens' soul, as well, to help carry them from year to year. Every human longs for a community where - even if you don't live there - you find kindred spirits that share what is right and good about our country. So - they came, ate and played!

In past years, the morning of the 4th started early as firefighters flooded the empty lot by the corner of Young Park, creating a 'volleyball' court like no other for the muddy, slimy competition that would be the day's next biggest attraction. In the meantime, back at the fire barn, lines of hungry tummies stretched from the huge overhead doors out to and along the shoulder of Highway 1. Conversation and laughter echoed among the helmets hanging along the walls, then someone announces that there are raffle tickets for some very nice donated prizes. More fire and rescue personnel fired-up the griddle and made pancakes and sausage. Local FFA kids served them up with sticky syrup, drippy fruit cups and hot coffee, then wiped the tables clean, ready for the next group. The pancake feed has become the Murray Fire and Rescue's biggest fundraiser of the year, due to their unselfish deeds for others. Offerings over-flowed as a way to say 'thanks for being there', in case their services might suddenly be needed - or have been already. Kids clanged the bells on the firetrucks and peeked inside the rescue vehicles, dreaming of a time when they, too, might become a local helper and hero or even a 4th of July pancake-flipper! 

In past years, after plates were emptied and competition stoked, it was a full day of oozeball and horseshoe tournaments, dances on the tennis court, pie and ice cream socials, Bingo and kiddie games, brown bag lunches in the church halls, parades, tractor pulls, beautiful baby contests, dunk tanks, craft shows, basketball shootouts and the humongous, grand finale - the fireworks show, which was graciously conducted, for everyone's safety, by the Murray Volunteer Fire Department. From the start of our most beloved national holiday right through to the end, once again they were there trying to keep everyone safe- thanks MVFD!

In past years, right after the 4th, we were already looking forward to the fun the following year. Now we are saddened to learn that this year's celebration might very well be the last one here. The Fire and Rescue's pancake feed will undoubtedly go on, but probably not the rest of the activities. Our long-time volunteers have found that it's time to step back, (they deserve a rest!), and let others take over in the planning and organizing. Now all we need to do is find some good folks willing to do just that. We need to keep the small-town spirit alive - that 'true' feeling that tells your gut that you want to be a small part of something that's so good about America - our freedom to dream, plan and celebrate together all that we're so thankful for. Think of it this way...many have sacrificed so much for us to have the privilege of doing just that - celebrating all of our freedoms. Would you sacrifice a few hours to help with planning the celebration of those freedoms? Will you help to keep the spark alive for future 4th-of-Julys?

If you'd like to help, please come to the next meeting of the 4th of July committee. Details are below:

(Above editorial by Pat Zeigler)

 

 

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ATTENTION!

 

DO YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR 4th of JULY CELEBRATION?

Have you grown up remembering this day as your 4th of July tradition?

What is your favorite part of the Cass County 4th of July celebration?  

 

Oozeball?  (Mud volleyball rocks, right?!)  

Ice cream social

Mr. and Ms. Murray competition

Bingo

Parade

Raffle

Auction

Fireworks

Anything else?

 

WHY IS THIS THE LAST YEAR FOR THE CASS COUNTY 4th of JULY CELEBRATION?

FACT #1

Due to the lack of volunteers to plan, organize and run the event.  It takes a minimum of 15 people to run the celebration.  Due to unforeseen circumstances we currently have 6 volunteers.  Without volunteers to run the above listed events, no money is made for the following year's celebration.

FACT #2

"We donated at the pancake feed."  Your donation at the Pancake Feed goes directly to our hard-working volunteer fire and rescue department, NOT the other 4th of July festivities.

FACT #3

We are currently in discussion with the village of Murray to possibly combine the celebration and make it the village of Murray's , as it was more than 40 years ago.

FACT #4

The only way to save our 4th of July celebration is to have 30-40 able-bodied volunteers, 18 years of age or older, to volunteer their time for a good cause.

 

So, if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you must attend the next 

4th of July Committee Meeting

Murray Town Hall

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

6:00 p.m.

Jot down all your ideas and questions and bring them to the meeting.  Hope to see you there!

 

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RECYCLE!

 Do something good for your community and our earth!

CASS COUNTY GOING GREEN

recycle trailer will be located on these dates in the following towns:

Murray: 

Beaver Lake:

 

Union:

 

 Nehawka: 

 

Please be aware of changes on Highway 75 north of Plattsmouth at the Bay Road interchange.  

Highway 75 traffic DOES NOT STOP!  There is no longer a traffic light. 

Keep your eyes on the road and drive carefully!

 

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AARON SPRACKLIN AWARDED LOFTE SCHOLARSHIP 

 

The Lofte Community Theatre in Manley is proud to announce that the winner of its 2014 scholarship for a graduating senior has been awarded to Aaron Spracklin. Aaron is the son of Mark and Melissa Spracklin of Elmwood. He will be attending Hastings College and pursue a major in Music Education this fall.

Aaron is a familiar face on the Lofte stage. He first came to the barn in 2011 as a Freshman when a friend convinced him to audition for 'Annie.' Aaron has since appeared in every summer musical and you will see him on stage this year in 'The Wizard of Oz.'

A couple of Aaron's favorite roles have been the "Very Friendly Cherokee Indian" in last year's production 'The Producers,' and as the French soldier featured in the silent black-and-white film for 'Singin' in the Rain.'  "When we filmed that scene, they gave me a sword and instructed me to, 'Have fun!'"

Aaron says he has many funny memories related to the Lofte. Just a few nights before 'Singin' in the Rain' opened, the water system was finally hooked up to make it rain on stage. "Everyone was eager to finally dance in the rain, but we didn't know the horrors that were about to come. The stage turned into a lake. Everyone started to slip and slide. It turned into a mine field! By the time we finished the number, only a few of us were left standing. Luckily the only injuries sustained were a sprained wrist and a few bruises."

Aaron strongly suggests that if anyone is thinking of acting or volunteering at the Lofte, they go for it. "Through all of my adventures at the Lofte, I have met some of the most amazing people. Even when you play a small role, usher or sweep popcorn, you are helping this great Lofte family and helping to give the best experience to our audiences. You will laugh, cry and above all, you will be loved."

The Lofte family wishes Aaron the very best with whatever his future holds and look forward to him sharing his talents with us for many years to come. 

 

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 'King O' the Moon' Auditions at Lofte 

 

he Lofte Community Theatre near Manley announces it will be holding open auditions on Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21 at 7pm for its upcoming production, 'King O' the Moon.' Depending upon the number auditioning, the process should be completed by 8pm each night.

Written by tom Dudzik, 'King' is the sequel to 'Over the Tavern.' In this story, the Pazinski family has left the conservative 1950s for the rebellious 1960s. Apollo 11 is about to land on the moon and the family has gathered to honor their late father's memory. A complete cast list can be found on the audition page of www.Lofte.com.

The production will be directed by Kevin Colbert. The cast calls for four men and 3 women (ages 20-60). Rehearsals will begin the week of July 28. Production dates are August 30-September 14. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Actors should bring a list of possible schedule conflicts to the audition. Those with questions may call the Lofte box office at (402) 234-2553. 

 

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