Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Since she was a young girl, Luci Koinzan has dreamed of the moment she would be named rodeo queen. The dream became reality, Friday, when the Neligh native was announced as Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2024. "It's going to be a journey," she said. "I'm excited to start." Koinzan's path to becoming rodeo royalty is dusted in the footprints of her grandmother, Sandi Stroheide Koinzan, the first Miss Clearwater Rodeo, crowned in 1976. "I'm proud of her. It's a dream she's had," Sandy Koinzan said. It's...
A new Miss Clearwater Rodeo Queen will reign over the 57th annual Clearwater Big Rodeo. Three contestants - Jozlyn Anderson, Luci Koinzan, and Aubrey Blackburn - will compete for the title. The three will start competition Friday, at 2 p.m., on rodeo grounds. Queen contest chairman Devon Baum said contestants will be judged in multiple areas, including personality, appearance and horsemanship. Contestants will compete in the horsemanship portion of the contest, which includes a reining pattern,...
Early on a hot, summer Monday morning, a string of cars line Nebraska Street in Clearwater. They slip out of their vehicles and trek across a driveway to a mint-green stand, complete with crock pots, mini fridge and drop box. The sign in front of it says it all: Self serve stand open. Welcome to Rollin' Farm Stand, the brainchild of Haily Schlecht. It's a little bit produce stand, a little bit grab-and-go food source. No matter how it's labeled, it's filling Clearwater residents' stomachs with...
The countdown is on for the best weekend in June as rough and tumble action will take center stage at the 57th annual Clearwater's Big Rodeo. Competition begins Friday, June 28 and continues through Sunday, June 30, at the Gene Snodgrass arena, located along U.S. Highway 275. Clearwater Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual event. Rodeo visitors will see a few new additions on the grounds. Clearwater Chamber president Curt Thiele said the rodeo committee and chamber members continue to make...
Felycia Kerkman of Atkinson, Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2023, was crowned Nebraska High School Rodeo Association Queen, June 15, at the 2024 championships in Burwell. First runner-up was Claudia Rhodes from Big Springs. Kerkman won six of nine competition categories, including appearance, speech, horsemanship, modeling, personality and congeniality. Other categories in the contest include interview, test and impromptu question. Kerkman will advance to the queen competition at the National High...
Country music artist Tim Zach never imagined he would one day be sharing the stage with the greatest musicians in the industry. A Wisconsin native, Zach went to college to study policing science with the aspiration to become a police officer. However, he soon realized law enforcement was not for him so he made the move to retail sales. He worked in retail for another decade and didn't get his break until he was in his 30s, when he was named the "Best New Country Act in Nebraska." Years later, Za...
Young women ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo contest. Applications are due by June 14 and are available by contacting Devon Baum, contest director, at [email protected] or texting or calling 402-843-0446. The queen contest will be held Friday, June 28. Candidates will take part in mutton bustin' activities as Clearwater's Big Rodeo kicks off its 57th annual event. According to Baum, contestants will vie for several awards, including horsemanship,...
Since we're writers, we, at SAM love lists. Trust us, we keep and use them every single day. But, how does one determine which articles should be at the top of the yearly list? In the past, we've based it by reader count from our website. This year, we're still relying on reader count, featuring the top-read article by month. We wrote nearly 2,000 articles in 2023 and, while some of our favorites don't appear on the list, we're sure these are a newsworthy representation of the Summerland region....
Two contestants will compete for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo title, this Friday, at the 56th edition of Clearwater's Big Rodeo. Queen contest chairman Devon Baum said contests will be judged in several areas, including personality, appearance and horsemanship. Luci Koinzan, of Neligh, and Felycia Kerkman, of Atkinson, will begin competition Friday, at 2 p.m., in the Gene Snodgrass Arena at the rodeo grounds. Contestants will compete in the horsemanship portion of the contest, which includes a...
The "best" weekend in June is approximately a week away, and when June 23 arrives, Clearwater's Big Rodeo will make it's 56th annual appearance. Competition will continue through Sunday, June 25, at the Gene Snodgrass arena, located along U.S. Highway 275. Youths, ages 3 to 7, will have a chance to ride a sheep when mutton busting begins at 7 p.m., Friday. Fifteen spots will be reserved during call-ins, scheduled for Monday, June 19. Another 10 walk-in spots will be up for grabs for...
Young women ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo contest. The queen contest will be held Friday, June 23. Candidates will take part in mutton bustin' as Clearwater's Big Rodeo kicks off its 56th annual event. According to contest director Devon Baum, contestants will vie for several awards, including horsemanship, congeniality and appearance. The queen and runner-up will be crowned prior to the 7:30 p.m. show in the Gene Snodgrass Arena in Clearwater. Applications...
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...
Four contestants will compete for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo title, this Friday, at the 55th annual Clearwater Rodeo. Queen contest chairman Devon Baum said contestants will be judged in several areas, including personality, appearance and horsemanship. Brooke Brengelman, Albion, Adreanna Dunn, Walthill, Shealynn Rasmussen, Burwell and Shilo Shabram, Neligh will begin competition Friday, at 3 p.m., in the Gene Snodgrass Arena at the rodeo grounds. "We invite the public to watch the girls compete...
The "best" weekend in June kicks off Friday, June 24, as Clearwater's Big Rodeo returns for its 55th annual run. Competition will continue through June 26, at the Gene Snodgrass arena, located along U.S. Highway 275. Opening night will feature fun for all ages. Youths ages 3 to 7 will have a chance to ride a sheep when mutton busting begins at 7 p.m. Fifteen spots will be reserved during call-ins, scheduled for Monday, June 20. Another 10 walk-in spots will be up for grabs for participants who...
The Honorable Donna Taylor handled arraignment procedures for 15 defendants when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on July 21, for the only county court session held during the month. Anthony Williams, 29, of Wayne appeared to be arraigned on two counts. Charges filed by Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler on July 14 included obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged June 27 in...
Amanda Sellin, a 17-year-old from Norfolk, was crowned Miss Clearwater Rodeo this weekend at the 54th annual Clearwater Rodeo. Sellin stated she has been competing on the rodeo circuit since she was around 10 years old but started riding horses when she was 4. "I started roping around age 14 or 15, which led me to get into some of the high school rodeo action," Sellin said. When asked how she felt when she heard her name announced for Miss Clearwater Rodeo, Sellin said, "I felt happiness and...
Clearwater's Big Rodeo, sponsored by the local chamber of commerce, will provide plenty of action as the best weekend in June kicks off Friday, June 25 and continues through June 27, at the rodeo grounds situated along U.S. Highway 275. Opening night will be jam packed with events. Little cowboys and cowgirls will have an opportunity to ride on a sheep when mutton busting begins at 7 p.m. Fifteen spots were reserved during call-ins, Monday, and 10 walk-in spots will be up for grabs for...
Four contestants will compete for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo title, this Friday, at the 54th annual Clearwater Rodeo. Queen contest chairman Devon Baum said contestants will be judged in multiple events, including horsemanship, congeniality and appearance categories. Josey Booth, Neligh, Morgan Erhardt, Clearwater, Amanda Sellin, Norfolk and Jordyn Stempek, Duncan, will begin competition Friday afternoon. The 2021 Miss Clearwater Rodeo will be announced that evening, at 7:30 p.m., in Gene...
They’ve hidden Easter eggs, frightened visitors at haunted houses, celebrated July 4 with a bang and planned the village’s sesquicentennial event. They’ve conducted fundraisers and reinvested in the community. Now, after nearly 26 years, those who are part of the Ewing Young Members Club are ready to relax and let the next generation of leaders organize the fun. It’s been a lot of work, organizers say, but it’s time to let younger community members take charge. In 1993, a group of men started t...
Brooke Lehr, of Columbus, earned the title of Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2020. Lehr was crowned by retiring queen Ashleigh Nelson, of Tilden, during the July 10 opening of Clearwater's Big Rodeo. Competition began in the afternoon, with arena work, including horsemanship, flag presentation and herding. Individual interviews concluded the judging process. Morgan Erhardt, of Orchard, was named runner-up. Josey Booth, of Neligh, received the personality award. The Miss Congeniality award was presented...
Clearwater Insurance Agency hosted an open house, Friday, in Clearwater. Chamber of Commerce members held a ribbon cutting. Attending the ceremony were Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, Clearwater economic development director, Ashleigh Nelson, Miss Clearwater Rodeo, Kaylee Thiele, Aaron Kruger, Dane Nielsen, Debb Pofahl, Tori Kester, Wendi Flenniken, Tammy Bearinger, LuAnn Schindler, Curt Thiele, Kevin Filsinger, Dennis Herley, Jarod Bearinger, Steve Hankla, Jeremy Sanne, Marty Kerkman, Taryl...
Four individuals will vie for the title of Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2020 during Friday's opening evening of rodeo competition. The winner will reign over the 53rd annual event, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 10 to 12. Taylor Bolling, of Clearwater; Josey Booth, Neligh; Morgan Erhardt, Orchard and Brooke Lehr, of Columbus, will be judged in horsemanship, congeniality and appearance categories. Prior to Friday's 7:30 p.m. rodeo opening, awards for all categories will be announced, in...
While the 53rd version of Clearwater's Big Rodeo will look familiar, several adaptations will be in place because of COVID-19 concerns. According to Clearwater Chamber of Commerce President Curt Thiele, the organization has worked hand-in-hand with North Central District Health Department personnel to develop a plan so the rodeo would come to fruition. "We're taking precautions," Thiele said, noting hand sanitizer will be available and facilities will be disinfected every two hours. Social...
Taylor Bolling, a senior at Clearwater Public Schools, was crowned Nebraska Rodeo Champs of America Nebraska Teen Miss, Sept. 21, in Taylor. Macy Zentner, Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2018, was selected RCA Miss Nebraska. She was crowned by current Miss Clearwater Rodeo, Ashleigh Nelson. Previously, the RCA pageant was held online, according to Nelson. Contestants would submit a video and judging took place online. "This is the first actual pageant in Nebraska," Bolling said. This year, contestants...
In 2014, a little girl was sitting in the crowd at the Clearwater Rodeo. She watched as the new Miss Clearwater Rodeo, McKenzie Brozek, circled the arena. The young girl thought, "Man, I want to be like her someday: ride a horse, carry a flag, and dress all pretty." Five years later, Ashleigh Nelson's dream has come true. On Friday, June 28, at the 52nd annual Clearwater Rodeo, Nelson was crowned queen. Nelson 16, of Tilden, will be a junior at Elkhorn Valley Schools. Her parents are Gary and...
