Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 94
Orchard village trustees discussed concerns about buckling gym floors and heating and cooling systems during a special meeting held July 25, at 6 p.m., at the former school site. Edges of the floor have been buckling from humidity, due to asbestos tiles below. In the past, Tony Tabbert, the school’s janitor, cut the floor, flipped tiles to relieve pressure, then glued it back down. Trustees discussed blocking edges of the gym for laser tag during Orchard Celebration Days, to prevent people f...
Antelope County Commissioners tackled multiple agenda items when they met in regular session, Aug. 2, in Neligh. One promotional and one improvement grant request were approved. A promotional grant request for $242.50 was received from the Orchard Community Club. Funds were used for Orchard Free Celebration Days. Commissioner Eli Jacob moved to accept the request; commissioner Dean Smith made the second. All voted in favor. The second grant request was an improvement grant for $1,750 from Oakdal...
With school beginning next week, summer's end is in sight. What did you do over summer vacation? While the question may be a first-day ice breaker, a teacher's response may surprise you. Several teachers run their own side business in the summer to keep them busy and gain a little extra cash. Kindergarten teacher, Taryl Bazelman stayed busy throughout the summer by offering car detailing and creating custom T-shirts. She also makes shirts throughout the school year. Individuals interested in...
According to Nike, "The only one who can tell you 'you can't' is you. And you don't have to listen." Taking that advice, Randi Strunk, 39, of Minneapolis, originally from Orchard, has overcome that mindset and will participate in her third full Ironman race, Sunday, Aug. 7. The Ironman race will take place in Juneau, Alaska. The 140.6-mile race includes a 2.4-mile swim in Auke Lake, located near Mount McGinnis, a 112-mile bike ride along Glacier Highway to the final 26.2-mile run through the...
Discussion regarding lease agreements took precedence at the Village of Orchard Board of Trustees meeting held Monday, July 11. Trustees Glen Cheatum and Dwight VanOstrand were not in attendance of the meeting. Chairman Stephanie Cleveland addressed the status of several items at the community center. The shed has been cleared out and Jeff Shabram paid rent for the weight room through December. Officials are still waiting on lease and rental agreements, which will include utility costs, from vil...
Disney claims, "Beauty and the Beast" is "the most beautiful love story ever told." The O'Neill Community Theater had a busy summer with practices, and was rewarded by crowds supporting performances of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," Sunday, July 17 and Monday, July 18, in O'Neill. The North Central Nebraska Arts Council chose "Beauty and the Beast" to be performed during O'Neill's Summerfest celebration. Two Summerland English teachers fell into the roles of being directors for the musical. "I...
The rock band Bread sang, "Life can be short or long. Love can be right or wrong, and if I chose the one I'd like to help me through, I'd like to make it with you." This was the one of three songs sang at Sam and Barb Schwager's wedding on July 15, 1972. The Orchard couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend, with loved ones, sharing their history and reminiscing about the past. The love story started in June 1970, at Barb's cousin's wedding dance, at the Legion Club in...
It was a hot, sunny day at the Hyannis Junior Rodeo where brothers Weston and Wayge Ferguson, of Clearwater, participated in several events on Sunday, July 10. Weston Ferguson, a third grader at Summerland, took part in the flag race, calf riding, poles and barrels in the 7-10-year-old boys group. "I was kind of scared (of calf riding), but I was supposed to hold my hand up like bull riding," explained Weston Ferguson. The calf rider placed eighth, with a ride of five seconds, just short of the...
Got Style, in Clearwater, is owned by Marsha Drury and has been supporting the community with all its hair needs since 2000. While Got Style has been open since 2000, the building itself has quite the history. On Aug. 16, 1918, the building was a functioning schoolhouse known as District 20, located five and one-half miles southwest of Neligh. It was brought to Clearwater, across a couple of bridges, by a steam tractor. The building was first located at 604 Main Street, where Cornerstone Bank is...
Jaimie Hartigan, owner of Shear Attitude in Ewing, lives by the quote "Be your own kind of beautiful" with her customers. "Many people ask 'What would look good?' To me, I'm like 'If you love your haircut, it's going to look great'," said Hartigan. Hartigan was raised in Ewing. Once she graduated high school, she attended hair school at Bahner College of Cosmetology in Fremont, where she graduated in 1997. After that, she moved to Kearney for almost three years then moved back to Ewing to start...
Cut It Up in Orchard has also offered services to the local communities for several years. Shelly Strope started her first hair salon in 1983, in a trailer, in Orchard. She ran the business for a few years until she gve birth her son, Skyler, in 1991. After his arrival, she decided to take a break from being a hair stylist for about 10 years. As the years passed, she decided to have the shop boys from the Orchard School build a new salon in 2001. She even remembers working on the shop when they...
This day and age, it is challenging for people to go "unplugged" to live life to the fullest. Holly Schacht, of Orchard, saw the challenge and met it head on. Schacht spent a month in South Africa on a study-abroad trip through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to gain experience for her fisheries and wildlife major and to fully live in the moment. "I've always wanted to study abroad, but after Covid hit halfway through my freshmen year and then into my sophomore year, there wasn't a...
A new business offering home upgrades hopes to build a small business into a full-time gig. Travis Shaffer, of Orchard, started T. Shaffer Home Improvement three months ago. According to Shaffer, the venture started when he was working on a project for his father-in-law. People started complimenting his work and asked if he could complete projects for them. Shaffer thought he would try a small business to see if he could eventually make it a full-time business, since he is still working a...
Saddle up, unpack and unwind, at Royal's newest business, the Royal Bunkhouse. Lisa Meisner and Polly Anderson resided in Phoenix, Arizona, when they decided to purchase the Royal schoolhouse, Royal Bar and a home. Their intention was to live in the home while renovating the bar and schoolhouse, but after a few conversations, they decided to create an Airbnb called the Royal Bunkhouse. The project started when the owner of the house talked with Meisner's friend about possibly placing the home...
Shilo Shabram, a 16-year-old from Neligh, was crowned Miss Clearwater Rodeo, Friday, at the 55th annual Clearwater Big Rodeo. Shabram has been involved with all things rodeo from a young age. She competed in the Boots and Saddles Club when she was six or seven. Then, she tried her hand at western pleasure and eventually, transitioned to poles and barrels. Outside of the rodeo arena, Shabram is also an english rider, qualifying for the state 4-H horse show. "My mom inspired me to start ever...
June is designated as automotive service professionals month, and Wesley Automotive has provided automotive services to local communities for a year. Automotive service professionals month is a time to recognize the people who keep vehicles running and friends and family safe, according to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Wesley Automotive is operated by Wesley Meyer. Meyer has worked in automotive services for 17 years. For eight years, he worked at O'Neill. He...
Fifty contestants took home prize money from the 55th annual Clearwater's Big Rodeo. Ben Wood scored 83 in bull riding, coveting the top spot in a field of 24 contestants. He earned $721.92. Dillon Micheel finished second, with a 75. He earned $601.60. Micheel received an additional $1,000 after an eight-second ride during Sunday evening's performance. Nate Bausch scored 71, finishing third, earning $481.28. Jason Kursave scored 68 and took home $360.96 for his fourth-place finish. Travis...
SUBMITTED ARTICLE Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company recognized the Village of Clearwater, in Antelope County, as a Smart Rural Community, Friday, June 24, as part of US92's Clearwater Rodeo broadcast. The designation comes from the Rural Broadband Association in conjunction with NNTC. This recognition is presented to those broadband-enabled communities that see an importance of broadband internet as a way to connect and grow through the capabilities of expanded online education, remote work,...
June is National Camping Month and now is the perfect time to explore the local hidden gems Grove Lake has to offer. Information from the "Royal Centenniel" highlights the complete story of Grove Lake, written by Jack Strain and Eugene Baker. Grove Lake construction began late in the summer of 1953. Grove Lake received it’s name from Philo Grove, an area resident and former owner of part of the land included in the purchase. Construction of Grove Lake came about when the Nebraska Game and P...
The Grove Lake Bait Shop has been in business near Grove Lake for many years. According to the "Royal Centenniel," Arthur and Agnes Erb had several people stop for worms on their way to Grove Lake. After this reoccurrence, the couple decided to dig worms out of their garden and build a bait shop on their farm in October 1968. They had other items to sell besides live and artificial bait. Refreshments, ice, food items, and fishing licenses were also offered. In 1980, the couple moved to Orchard,...
You may learn the "Truth About You", Saturday, during the Mitchell Tenpenny concert on Clearwater's Main Street. Tenpenny is scheduled to perform at 10 p.m. Here's the truth about Tenpenny. The Nashville singer always dreamt of becoming a professional football player, but he also enjoyed playing in bands. In fact, when he was 13 years old, he was the drummer and screamer in a hard rock band with his friends. Eventually, he started writing songs, too, like his grandmother, Donna Hilley, a famed...
The Village of Orchard and Summerland School closed on the schoolhouse sale, June 13. Village chairman Stephanie Cleveland made the announcement during the village’s June 13 meeting. The final cost of $10,408.50 includes the closing fee, title insurance and filing. During the process, members noticed property descriptions did not match. The parking lot is actually a three-parcel lot instead of a two-parcel lot. Cleveland said she would contact Josh Gray about insurance. Electric and gas u...
It was business as usual as several motions passed during the Village of Orchard Board of Trustees meeting, June 13. Trustee Dwight VanOstrand was unable to attend the meeting. Shelly Strope and Bev Krutz talked with trustees about a proposed thrift store being housed in the former Orchard schoolhouse. Strope said after discussions with a lawyer, a lease to be located in the schoolhouse will be necessary. Strope asked if the thrift store could use the entire second floor Chairman Stephanie...
The Antelope County Library Association presented its annual reports and review to the Antelope County commissioners at the June 14 commissioner meeting at the Antelope County Courthouse. Cindy Simeon, current association president spoke first. She represents the Raymond A. Whitwer Tilden Public Library. She noted that the library’s numbers are increasing in stats, programming and visitations and returning back to normal since the pandemic. She explained how county funding helps meet the n...
TJ's Market, in Orchard, continues to upgrade the business to serve the small town with the luxury of having a grocery store. It's come a long way since a grocery store first opened in the village. In fact, the village's Main Street and TJ's Market, as it is known today, looked quite different in past years. An Oct. 7, 1993, Orchard News article detailed the history of the Market. Perry Elder bought the Wolfe Store in Ewing in 1890, and took the contents to Orchard, from Ewing, on wagons. It...
