Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Another trip around the sun. SAM and I have that in common. In 2019, the inaugural issue of the Advocate-Messenger made its debut on my birthday. Now, we're starting our sixth year of publication, a feat that isn't lost on Scott and me. It's been a positive and encouraging journey. Oh sure, there have been days when we wonder what the heck we're doing ... luckily, those days are few and far between. We feel like we're on solid ground and are excited to keep building the quality publication you e...
Lenora Kester's instrumental music performance at district competition struck a chord with judges. The Summerland musician received an outstanding performance award for a flute solo at the April 19 event in Ainsworth. Kester joined band in fifth grade, spending nearly seven years honing her musical craft. At districts, she performed "Sonatina" by Muzio Clementi, arranged by Larry Clark. High school music instructor Emily Heithoff said Kester chose the piece from a collection of songs for the...
Following a Sunday informational meeting, at the Clearwater Legion, members of the Sons of the American Legion and Clearwater Legion, fundraising efforts will begin immediately. Sons of the American Legion Commander Kelly Kerkman said the current Legion building has several problems, including a leaky roof, a rotten kitchen floor, lights and expensive utility bills. "When you start fixing those things, you get to the point of where you do you stop and turn the page to a couple options?" Kerkman...
Nebraska is home to over 100,000 of our most honorable American heroes. These heroes left home and family to follow a call. They showed grit and dedication throughout taxing training. They fought hard for their homeland and made countless sacrifices. Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice - they sacrificed their own lives to protect others. These heroes are our veterans. Earlier this year, three of our own Nebraskan World War II veterans met in Omaha to remember their service so many years...
It’s amazing (and maybe a bit sad) how a simple conversation, or in this case, a Twitter post, can send you down a rabbit hole. That’s how I spent an hour, Sunday, after reading a friend’s post and the responses. His tweet - this week’s poll question below - is this: What is the best song that has Nebraska in either the title or lyrics? Many songs were familiar, but there were a few I needed to investigate. I compiled a brief list and listened to a few unfamiliar tunes. Scrolling through...
Bargain Buyway almost took a wrong turn on a deadend road but, with the help of four volunteers, the roadshow will go on. Polly Anderson, Melissa Keetle-Nelson, Lisa Meisner and Lindsay Nelson will oversee the three-day shopping loop, covering a 250-mile path in northeast and north central Nebraska, April 28 to 30. The 2023 Bargain Buyway will include stops in 32 towns, including royal, Orchard Page, Inman, O’Neill, Emmet, Atkinson, Butte, spencer, Bristow Lynch, Monowi, Verdel, Niobrara, V...
The forest green roof and pair of bronze stags frozen in combat are impossible to miss as you drive down Interstate 80. So are the two corporate buildings – 550,000 square feet of nearly empty office space, long offered for a $1 a year lease. The water tower looms overhead, painted in the same green, heralding what once was: "Cabela's World Headquarters, City of Sidney." For 54 years, Cabela's made its home here, a juggernaut that kept the town humming. But in 2017, the sporting goods store s...
A Summerland freshman hopes to turn her dedication to helping her community into a project for the local Future Business Leaders of America chapter. Irelyn Bearinger, daughter of Tammy and Jarod Bearinger, of Clearwater, teaches Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for kindergarten-age students at St. Theresa's Church. She hopes to parlay the skills she's learning "on the job" into business world experience. "This is my third year teaching CCD," she said. "I have six students this year."...
Foodies searching for the ultimate comfort food will find plenty of options available from Woodshed Vittles. Located on a ranch near Chambers, owner Deeann Carson Wood bakes, cans and cooks a variety of foodstuffs available at area establishments, including the Sidebar in Clearwater, Farmers Store in Page, Valley Food Coop in Lynch and Village Market in Chambers. Boutique 129, in O'Neill, sells her company's jellies and jams. Wood's interest in cooking began with family members. "I've always...
Should I or shouldn’t I? That is this week’s question. Should I dole out money to enter newspaper contests? Or, instead, should I reinvest those entry fees in my employees and business? It’s a conundrum, for sure. It’s not that I don’t like entering contests. In the past, I have submitted pieces to the Nebraska Press Association’s and Nebraska Press Women’s annual contests. Back when creative writing filled my teaching days, several pieces of poetry were entered - and won - contests. Eve...
It's been more than two years since I received my last paycheck from a newspaper company. In that time, I've had the opportunity to advocate for local newspapers that remain relevant to their communities. That advocacy keeps running into tiresome arguments that are as yellow as old faded newsprint. No matter what facts you use to extinguish them, they find a way to flare up later. During National Newspaper Week, consider the following collection of statements that numb the mind, along with a suggestion: When you encounter them, just turn the...
In 1972, Congress passed Title IX, part of the education amendments of 1972, and President Richard Nixon signed it into law. Prior to its passage, few opportunities were available female athletes. In 1972, approximately 30,000 women participated in collegiate athletics. High school programs weren’t much different. According to History.com, 295,000 girls participated in high school sports in 1972. Title IX was established to correct imbalances between women’s and men’s athletics. Now, more than 2.6 million females participate in sports at the h...
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 Nebraska State Patrol was dispatched to a two vehicle fatality accident at approximately 1.5 miles south of Page, at the intersection of 866 Road and the 45A spur, at approximately 10:02 a.m., April 20. A 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pulling a gooseneck trailer, driven by Addison Woodard Jr., 49, of Clearwater, was northbound on 45A spur when it collided with a backhoe driven by John Larson of Valley, Ne that was attempting to turn east. Woodard was pronounced deceased at the scene. The family...
A trip to the Verdigre Stockyards turned into an FFA district championship, years later, for Summerland student Levi Cronk, of Page. Cronk said, "I ended up walking out of the sale barn with two new boer goats." The rest, as the saying goes, is history. Now, Cronk owns a herd of 20-plus goats. "That is not including the new kids, or baby goats, I've had this year," he said. Earlier this year, Cronk's goat production entrepreneurship project received first gold and district champion. His...
I don't know about you, but I missed holiday parties last year. And even though it's still smart to be careful, getting together with family and friends is something we all treasure. Holiday appetizers have always been one of my favorite things to prepare. I love looking through cookbooks and recipe files, looking for just the perfect tasty tidbit to take to a party. But before we get to the menu, let's first set the scene. Decide on a theme or an anchor activity - gingerbread decorating,... Full story
When my writing career started more than 30 years ago, I spent months establishing a freelance career. After long days of teaching and coaching, I stayed up late at night, crafting query letters and sending them via snail mail, hoping to get a bite from local publications ... or a big break with a national news outlet. It seems amazing, considering it was in the dark ages - er, I mean pre-internet times. It was hard work, but I was determined to form partnerships with trusted publications and...
Anyone who has grown zucchini in Nebraska knows that a little planting goes a long way. Zucchini jokes abound and there is even a National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day (more about that later), but zucchini is really a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Let's start with some tips and tricks from Cami Wells, an Extension Educator in Hall County. "Whether purchasing or picking zucchini," Wells says "choose firm, slender zucchini with a bright green... Full story
Elgin is the 2021 featured town for the Antelope County Museum Evening at the Museum, 410 L Street, Neligh. Take advantage of free museum admission, 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, July 3, for this event which promises to bring Elgin history to life. See a display of prized Elgin memorabilia, including a farmer's daily journal dating from the late 1800s, pill-making paraphernalia from the pioneer Elgin drug store, keepsakes from Elgin businesses back in the day, and more. A video highlighting Elgin past...
Oh, to be on the edge of 17 again, ready to explore the world, ready to turn the page and start a new chapter of life. One of my parents told me, at the time, I thought I knew everything, that my worldly experiences offered a depth of knowledge unrivaled by my peers. So wait, Mom and Dad. Sarcasm noted. I didn’t know everything? Wow. Admit it, you, too, thought you knew it all when you graduated and couldn’t wait to leave the nest to fly on your own. Life at 17 doesn’t offer the same conce...
A quest to visit all 531 incorporated towns in Nebraska has turned into a geography lesson for residents of the state. University of Nebraska-Omaha college students Seth Varner and Austin Schneider, of Wahoo, got the idea after college classes moved to online learning in March, when the coronavirus pandemic curbed traditional learning and sent college students back home for the semester. The statewide road trip is similar to a venture Varner took with his dad nearly a decade ago. "We were going...
Charlie Henery, chairman of the Antelope County board of commissioners, told his peers, when they met at the courthouse last Tuesday, June 2, that the condition of a road north of Clearwater embarrassed him. Discussion on 854 Road began as commissioner Eli Jacob asked the road superintendent his timeline for grinding a two mile stretch of 516 Avenue, from Clearwater north to the cemetery. Road boss Aaron Boggs said he first needed to know "where we're going with it." "Well, we either have to...
The Antelope County Food Pantry located in Neligh has recently been awarded a refrigerator that can store multiple dairy items like milk, cheese, butter and more. The grant comes from Midwest Dairy, one of 50 given to those in need of storage for dairy-based foods. The grant process was relatively quick and easy according to Heath Snodgrass, owner of Snodgrass Dairy. The one-page application asked the number of clients served in Antelope County. "It's meant for dairy, produce and perishible...
Joey Crooker, 37, of Ainsworth, formerly of Page, was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom last Wednesday, Feb. 26. Crooker, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of sexual assault pursuant to a plea agreement reached in December, has a previous sexual assault conviction, in 2002. He was questioned by the judge prior to passing sentence regarding his understanding of his previous sentence. "I understood," Crooker replied. "I just lost my head."...
The Holt County supervisors addressed cyber security at their final 2019 meeting. The leaders met Dec. 31 at the courthouse in O'Neill. Steve Anson with Anson Insurance Services was invited, by chairman Bill Tielke, to present information about insuring the county against "hacking" of county computers. Tielke indicated cyber security concerns were raised at a recent convention he had attended. "I don't think it's a matter that we can keep beating around the bush and not doing something about,"...
