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I wander forth this chill December dawn:
John Frost and all his elves are out, I see,
As busy as the elfin world can be,
Clothing a world asleep with fleecy lawn.

Robert Buchanan, English poet & playwright
1841–1901
"Snow"

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NEST 529 Celebrates Holidays with $100 Bonus Program

$100 Bonus to Be Awarded to First 100 New Accounts

LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 1, 2017) – First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg are helping new account owners get their college savings in order before the new year with the NEST 529 College Savings Plan $100 bonus program.

The program, which kicks off December 1 and runs through December 31, will award the first 100 new college savings accounts with a $100 bonus each, when using the promotion code available at NEST529.com/bonus100.

“At NEST we believe that the gift of a college education is truly the greatest gift of all, which is why we are excited to offer this bonus in time for the holidays,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha. “We hope this bonus will encourage families to open accounts for their loved ones to start their college savings off on the right foot in 2018.”

To qualify, new accounts must be opened for beneficiaries ages 8 and younger, with a minimum $50 contribution. Accounts can be opened both online and by paper.

“The costs of higher education can add up quickly, so the best way to prepare is to save regularly and often. We encourage families to take advantage of this holiday bonus if they do not already have NEST accounts, and we suggest all account owners prioritize college savings to help their loved ones achieve their educational goals and dreams,” said Treasurer Stenberg, Trustee of NEST.

About NEST
NEST is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the TD Ameritrade 529 College Savings Plan, and the State Farm College Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. First National Bank of Omaha serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have more than 252,000 accounts, including 78,000 in Nebraska. Visit NEST529Advisor.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.

About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska is the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have more than $21 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* · No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee · May Lose Value
*Except the Bank Savings Individual Investment Option

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For Conestoga School Calendar, click HERE!

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Register your garage sale here, for area-wide,

FREE ADVERTISING,

courtesy of Nebraska Community Website Project,

who also brings you this weekly Newsletter!

GARAGE SALE REGISTRATION FORM

Please support our sponsors who are listed in each Newsletter. 

See all sales listings here:

http://www.casssales.com/

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EVENTS

in

NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES...

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MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LENDING PROGRAM

The Great Plains Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association has a wonderful instrument lending program, so please share this information with folks that you know. Here is the information from Jim Wood:

"We are in full swing looking for kids ages 5 to 16 who want to learn to play a bluegrass/old time instrument!
The instruments we are lending include guitar, fiddles of different sizes, banjo, and mandolin, and have recently been gifted with a fine Dobro, thanks to Doug Van Horn.
These instruments may be borrowed for a year as long as the learner has a mentor from our music association.
The mentor will be selected by the student and parent.
This mentor will give the Instrument lending committee a report of progress every three months."

If you wish to get an application to this Lending program, please contact Jim Wood at 402-397-4673 or jkwood@unomaha.edu.

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November 20, 2017 (Plattsmouth, NE) – Students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School are on the move, thanks to a $2,000 grant the school received from the Midwest Dairy Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

The school was among hundreds of schools across the country selected to receive a grant. The funding gives St. John’s the opportunity to better promote healthy eating and physical activity at school.  In fact, last month the school launched a new walking club for students. The program helps students achieve the one-hour of physical activity recommended for children daily. According to Monica Yankus, kindergarten teacher at St. John’s and organizer of the school’s walking club, more than 55 students have already joined the program and she expects more to join throughout the school year.

“The program has been well-received by families and students are especially excited about the walking club,” said Yankus. “Students enjoy walking with their friends and it’s a great way for them to clear their minds and keep active.”

St. John’s also has plans to purchase new food service equipment to store healthy snacks, pedometers for students to track miles walked, and incentive prizes for students to earn as they reach wellness goals. In addition, the school also plans to hold a “Family Fun Night” where students and families can learn fun and easy ways to be healthy at home.

“We are appreciative for the support from the Midwest Dairy Council and we are looking forward to the many new and fun opportunities we have to encourage healthy lifestyles with our school families,” said Yankus.

In addition to Yankus, other St. John’s organizers of the walking club include Denise Lorence and Carol Ellington.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council, Midwest Dairy Council and the NFL, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture.

About St. John the Baptist
Since 1884, St. John the Baptist Catholic School serves students of all faiths in Pre-K to eighth grade. With 185 pre-K through eighth grade students currently enrolled, the school emphasizes academic excellence, spirituality, service and community. St. John’s is located in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. For more information, please visit stjbcatholic.com.

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16th Annual Short Story Contest

Start thinking of ideas for the 16th Annual Bess Streeter Aldrich short story contest.

The goal is to generate a fictional short story that is written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works while incorporating a theme that focuses on Nebraska’s economy, history, cultural diversity, and/or geography (past, present, and/or future).

Writers are encouraged to focus on historical and/or realistic topics. This year the Aldrich Foundation is paying tribute to Mrs. Aldrich’s novel The Rim of the Prairie and believe it would be an excellent resource.

Eligibility (Four divisions):

Adult: 1st Prize $100; 2nd Prize $50; 3rd Prize $25
High School (Grades 9-12): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Intermediate School (Grades 3-5): 1st Prize $25; 2nd Prize $15; 3rd Prize $10

Complete rules are found at the Bess Streeter Alrich Website

Stories can be submitted on online. Deadline is February 17, 2018.

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NOROVIRUS!  CLICK BELOW FOR PREVENTION

and CARE TIPS!

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