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OFFICE ASSISTANT/CLERICAL POSITION
The Cass County Department of Roads is accepting applications for one office/clerical assistant. This position is currently located in Mynard, NE, but will be moving to Manley, NE in late spring 2015. Applicant requirements include pre-employment drug screen, must be 18 years of age, and possess a valid driver's license. Applications can be obtained at Cass County Roads Office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., located at 13860 12th Street. Closing date for applying is February 6, 2015.
Conestoga Student, Brooklynne Jeffries, Designs Official Cass County Flag
On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at Conestoga Jr-Sr High's student assembly, Cass County representative, Janet McCartney, announced the winner of the official county-wide flag art contest. The honor, a replica flag of her own design, went to student, Brooklynne Jeffries. Students from Cass County were invited to submit designs for a county flag last year. The entries were displayed at the Cass County Fair in August, and fair-goers voted for their favorite design. Results were tallied and Brooklynne's design received the most votes.
Conestoga junior, Haley Lantz, received the third largest number of votes and was also recognized at the assembly.
The Graphics Design students, taught by Ms. Bonnie Ahrens, participated in the contest, with all students submitting their own creative design.
County representatives indicate a full-size flag will hang in the County Commisioners' Room at the Cass County Court House in Plattsmouth. A replica of the flag will hang in the entry area of Conestoga High School.
Congratulations, Brooklynne for your creation!
(Information obtained from Conestoga school's official website, www.conestogacougars.org.)
Tying Up Loose Ends...
On chilly winter days, I'm inclined to delve into a project that I've put off for several months, or years, and just take my time with it. (That's why it's taken months or years.) Start a project. Finish it. Done. Period. The satisfaction of a job finished. My mom was so good at this, almost a pro. "Just get it done-NOW", she'd tell us. But me? I'm a procrastinator through and through, just like my dad. Dad would always ask, "Do you want it done fast, or right?" Just like Dad, I like to take my time, "Why hurry through life?", Dad would say, "it goes fast enough." He sure had a point there. I do like to be on time for appointments, etc., but when it comes to tasks at home, that really have no 'official' deadline, (do they really?), I take a more laid-back approach. I was like that as a kid, too, with cleaning my room, helping with dishes, and my homework wouldn't be started till 9 or 10 at night. (I was a night owl, too.) Everything got done, but in my own time. I drove Mom nuts, but it's in my blood, I guess.
So right after Christmas, I took from the closet the big wooden box of old photos that Mom kept pictures in. Many years ago, she made photo albums for each of my two brothers and me. I treasure mine. There were oodles of photos still in that box though, and a month ago, I was determined to label them with names and dates, so my kids won't someday say, "Who the heck are these people?"
Photos boxes found at craft stores are pretty and attractive - glorified shoe boxes, really. They're decorated in florals, plaids, stripes, geometrics, all kinds of patterns. They even have nifty little dividers where you can categorize bunches of photos. Ah, nice and neat, everything in its' place. I made great strides in my efforts for a couple of weeks. I even bought an 'archival ink' pen, one specially made for marking on photos that won't harm them or bleed through in 100 years. (How do they know?) It's been fun, leisurely going through those old pictures, some of which I couldn't even remember seeing before. After several cups of hot tea, names and, (approximate), dates were added to almost every photo. There is only one little bag full of those little 2" x 2" photos from the Triple-Print Film company, that I still have to label, and unfortunately, I also had to make a file named, 'Who's This?'. These will be my projects for another time.
There was one insignificant old black and white photo of a lady sitting on the arm of a couch or chair, her back to the camera. The photographer got a great shot of her back with a near-blinding camera flash that dimmed almost everything else within the frame, except her white dress. Maybe it wasn't all white, but the flash washed out any design that might have been there. She wasn't a large woman, physically, but whoever took the photo, didn't have a clue as to what they were doing, because half the picture was a close-up of her back. A big white back. For all I know, one of my wild, little, kid cousins grabbed the camera and clicked away. I'm glad though. I almost tossed this in the 'Who's This?' pile. As I looked closer, using a magnifying glass, I found my whole family in the background, sitting on the floor in front of a Christmas tree, 59 years ago. Mom and Dad sat behind us kids, my little brother, Bobby, on our brother, Mick's, lap, and me, in front of Sis, aka Diana Lee. What a treasure I'd found! Through the magic of my old, desk-top computer, and a free photo-editing program, I could crop out the mystery lady, enlarge and brighten the remaining photo, and voila...I now have a photo that I'll cherish forever. We had only a couple family pictures with all 6 of us in the same photo. Hodgkins disease took Sis at 13, Dad in '74, also from cancer, Mick, in an accident at 41, and Mom just 9 years ago. Mom must have known we were all there, in the shadowed background or I'm sure she'd have tossed it in the trash. I wish she could have seen this 'new and improved' one. Now, my baby brother and I are the only ones left. I'm glad I have him to share it with and that he enjoys it as much as I do.
Amongst all the faces, many of young soldiers and sailors, whose names merely hinted of familiarity, were old cars and buildings and newspaper clippings of towns ripped apart by tornadoes and floods that swooshed away homes. I think I might send those clippings off to newspapers in the towns where they originated. Maybe they have a 'Remember When' section that they would put them in. I like nostalgia and know lots of others do, too. I might just have to do that someday.
This is one that really brought a smile to my face, especially knowing that Mom always prided herself on 'getting it done NOW'. Seems she'd sent in a roll of film to be developed, you know, the old-fashioned way. You put the film in a special envelope, filled out all the little spaces on the order form, licked and stuck on 3 or 4 stamps to be sure it got to its destination, and dropped it in the mail. Then you waited patiently, (strange, I wasn't so good at this), sometimes for weeks, to see your snapshots. When they finally arrived, you might have 5 out of the dozen or so that were any good, but you kept them all anyhow, you know, because they were your memories. (No wonder my memories are so 'fuzzy'!) Anyway, Mom must have, accidentally, shorted the studio a bit when sending her order, because this note was in with the photos:
Now, I'm sure Mom sent them the money. As I said, she was thorough about everything, and timely, but she was supposed to enclose the card with her next order. What? "Please note price changes"? "Sales Tax"? How much? Uh, was that before or after her original order? Well, regardless, the studio needs to know where this excess 3 cents came from, so they can finally balance their books. It's all because of Mom's carelessness, 47 years ago. Long story short, she had just become a grandmother about a year before this 'incident'. What was so 'important' that she would have let this obligation slide? What kind of role model would she be to her grandson? Shameful! I'll have to send the card back with an explanation and an apology. Guess I better go put it on my 'to-do someday' list.
(by Pat Zeigler, Editor)
ATTENTION 7th and 8th GRADE STUDENTS!
Treasurer Stenberg, Omaha Storm Chasers Announce 13th Annual
'Why I Want to Go to College'
Writing Contest for Seventh, Eighth Graders
While a Sunday afternoon at the ball park may seem far away, the time is here for seventh and eighth graders to enter the 13th annual "Why I Want to Go to College" writing contest sponsored by the Nebraska State Treasurer's Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers, State Treasurer Don Stenberg said today. Twelve winners will be recognized at the May 10 Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb. Three winners will be chosen in each of Nebraska's three U.S. Congressional districts, and three winners will be selected from outside Nebraska. First-place winners will each receive a $2,000 contribution to a NEST college savings plan. Second-place winners will each receive a $1,000 contribution to a NEST plan, and third-place winners will each receive a $500 contribution to a NEST plan. First-place winners from Nebraska will receive a one-night hotel stay in Omaha, and all Nebraska winners will receive tickets to the May 10 game.
"Every year we are impressed with the big plans that seventh and eighth graders write about in their 'Why I Want to Go to College' essays," Treasurer Stenberg said. "But we are also struck by the students' references to their family members, teachers, neighbors, and friends who inspire and motivate them to do well. Contributing to a NEST college savings account for a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend can go a long way to making these big plans reality." Treasurer Stenberg said he encourages all seventh and eighth graders in public schools, private schools, and home schools in Nebraska to enter. A total of 1,044 entries were received last year. As in the past, preliminary judging will be done by students and faculty in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and final selections will be made by Treasurer Stenberg.
Entries are due March 27, 2015. Contest rules are available at http://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/essay/college/2015/contest-announcement/.
The following rules apply to contest entries:
No longer than 750 words.
Subject matter to be focused on the student's educational goals and dreams for the future.
Must be student's original work.
Must be typed, double spaced on 8 ½ X 11-inch paper.
Must be accompanied by required cover sheet.
Entries to be mailed to Andrea Stava, assistant general manager of operations, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb. 68046.
Essays must be postmarked by March 27, 2015. Winners will be notified in late April.
Please see contest rules for further details.
The next MURRAY FREEDOM FESTIVAL meeting will be Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 6:30 at Murray Town Hall. Exciting activities are being planned, so stop by the meeting to see what's going on.
Be sure to check out the photo slideshow of past 4th of July events at www.MurrayFreedomFestivalNE.com and 'like' us at Murray Freedom Festival, on Facebook!
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:
Murray residents should either use the curbside bins that PREMIER WASTE SOLUTIONS delivered or continue to use the Cass County Recycle trailer at the Murray Fire Station per the above schedule.
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES' EVENTS.....
To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Cass County , Louisville
Feb. 6
Feb. 11
IRISH MUSIC CONCERT
Greenblatt & Seay's Schoolhouse Performance Series features a concert of Irish music on Sunday, March 15, at 2:30 PM, in the Old Avoca, Nebraska Schoolhouse. Greenblatt & Seay will be singing and playing a variety of instruments, including fiddle, penny-whistle, 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 15 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, 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 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.
The First United Methodist church youth group in Louisville is having a garage sale on Saturday Feb. 7th from 9-4 at the church basement 222 Walnut, Louisville, NE.
All proceeds go to benefit this summer's mission trip to Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota.
FIDDLE CAMPS
Registration is now open for the 2015 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 15 - Friday, June 19) is for folks who consider themselves beginners. The July Camp (Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17) 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
ONGOING AREA EVENTS and ACTIVITIES.....
ONGOING SCHWAN'S ICE CREAM FUNDRAISER
Lori Williams of Murray, NE was paralyzed due to an accident several months ago and her family is under mounting financial stress.
The Murray Presbyterian Deacons, aka "Mighty Murray Small Church", with the help of Schwan's Ice Cream and YOU, will be donating funds to help out Lori and her family. Lori's family, will receive 5% of Schwan's purchases for one full year, to October 2, 2015, when you order using special fundraiser code ID# 32144. You may place your order over the phone at1-855-870-7208. You will need to give the code number above. You may also order online, at www.schwans-cares.com/f/32144 . The 'campaign ID number' is 13054.
Go to 'Shop Now' and an online catalog, with the name 'Sherrill Konfrst', (church deacon), will be presented to you. Please direct any questions you might have to Sherrill at 402-235-2844.
If you live in the U.S. and have local Schwan's delivery, you may participate in this worthy cause. A Schwan's delivery person will deliver your products directly to your home and you'll be helping Lori and her family. Feel free to forward this to your friends across the country!
Thank you for your support!
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 Mahony
Employment and Training Coordinator
Experience Works, Inc.
1111 "O" Street Ste 205--American Job Center
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 402-441-1654
Fax: 402-441-6038
stephanie_mahony@experienceworks.org
Nebraska Tollfree Number: 1-877-314-7526
www.KeepCassCountyBeautiful.org
Community Sustaining Sponsors 2015
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2015 Community Sustaining Sponsor
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