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October 21, 2013 Leave a comment
With the schools talking consolidation, I was thinking of my favorite teachers over the years. My very favorite one was Mrs. McMurtry. She was a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. I always thought she would have been a great professor.
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
October 20, 2013 Leave a comment
Fall and the beauty of the changing colors is upon us. I have taken many pictures that I will be sharing with you over the next several days. I would enjoy your pictures too! Submit them and I will post them!
Enjoy the fall and the beauty surrounding us all!
Fall is quite lovely. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 20, 2013 Leave a comment
Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education (October, 2013)
Amazing Individuals!
Today I decided to take a break from my usual process of reporting on a topic related to the State Board of Education’s agenda and to write about an area important to me, for a totally different set of reasons. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so it seemed timely to focus on the topic of individuals with disabilities. I must preface this article by sharing with you that I was once a special education teacher and administrator, and I have a passion for all students, including students with disabilities. It is important to bring public awareness to all types of syndromes, disabilities and health issues, but sometimes we focus on the syndrome or issue and we overlook the individual, this article is dedicated to some amazing individuals.
Federal and state laws have created an opportunity for all students with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate and individualized education. Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) sets the rules and provides a variety of supports and services to children with disabilities from birth through age 21. Other NDE services include Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps adults and older students with disabilities prepare for employment, and Disability Determinations Service, which determines if an individual with a disability qualifies for Social Security disability benefits.
I first want to give a shout out for the community in which I live. The Oakland Independent newspaper recently ran a wonderful article about the crowning of the 2013 homecoming king. The Oakland-Craig student body voted for Kyle Johnson, their friend and their classmate who happens to have been born with Down Syndrome to serve as their homecoming king. This community support goes a step deeper, with Jagger Benne, also born with Down Syndrome, serving as a crown bearer.
Next, I would like to share with you the story of a young lady I am honored to call a friend. Brandis was also born with a syndrome, Vaters Syndrome. This syndrome is not as well known or recognized as many syndromes, but it has created a host of life-long medical challenges for Brandis, challenges that include more than 80 surgeries beginning with heart surgery when she was just days old. I am not writing about the health issues, but about the young lady who still has contact with high school classmates and teachers. She is an amazing nanny and babysitter, providing excellent care for other’s children. She can clean and organize better than anyone I know and is the best baker of banana bread ever!!
I would like to pay tribute to the parents, teachers, classmates, friends, extended family and communities that focus on the individual, not the syndrome. Thinking of Kyle, Jagger and Brandis reminds me, and I hope informs all of you, about the importance of focusing on the individual and the remarkable young people in our world today.
To learn more about services and resources go the Nebraska Department of Education website at: http://www.education.ne.gov/. If you would like to contact me, feel free to do so at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov.
October 19, 2013 Leave a comment
This post came from Angela Whitley of Lyons. She and her husband David have three children in the LDNE school system.
October 19, 2013 Leave a comment
One person has shared their thoughts on the local schools consolidating after LDNE Superintendent Fred Hansen’s article was published yesterday. What are your thoughts?
Taylor Dahl, formerly of Scribner and who now resides in North Platte, employed there with the local newspaper and also has a Journalism Degree had this to say:
“This makes so much sense. I seriously hope this happens for the FUTURE of the kids. They will get a better education with more classes offerred to them as well.
I really hope this happens soon. Proves that even the bitter rivals can see the light on how this could benefit everyone.”
October 19, 2013 Leave a comment
Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department
Larry Bockelman, Heath Educator
402-529-2233
Operation Heart to Heart Community Events
Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department’s Operation Heart to Heart program has been providing heart health education and case management services throughout Madison, Stanton, Burt and Cuming counties for nearly one year. One goal of the program is to reduce the rate of heart disease, increase health screenings and provide case management services for agricultural workers. The program also targets educating the general public on heart disease and provides free presentations and blood pressure screenings to organizations, businesses and events. Operation Heart to Heart has participated in over 80 screening and educational events throughout the year. There were 547 ag workers screened and 626 people provided with education on heart disease and blood pressure screenings.
As Operation Heart to Heart’s first year comes to a close, there will be a free community presentation dinner event held in West Point in November. Dr. JoAnne Owen-Nauslar will be the keynote speaker and her presentation will center on health and humor. The focus will be on the themes “move to improve” and “securing your own mask first” so you can continue to give all that you do to your family, community, workplace, etc. Dr. Jo has provided over 2,000 keynote presentations and is considered one of the nation’s most vocal personalities on issues of physical activity and the investment we must make in our health. The event will be held at The Nielsen Center in West Point on November 14th from 6pm to 8pm – to register please call St. Francis Memorial Hospital at 402-372-6706.
The evening will feature a free dinner, fun and inspirational keynote speaker and door prizes. The event is sponsored by Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department and St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Funding for the event is provided by AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation Connections for Cardiovascular Health.
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October 18, 2013 Leave a comment
“Mom thought is was a great idea. We did this to honor her,” said Terry Wallerstedt upon opening the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch seven years ago.
People would drive by the Wallerstedt’s home (two miles north of Oakland on highway 77) and notice the pumpkin patch Terry and husband Mark’s children were growing. “They said we had a neat place and should start our own business,” Terry stated.
Thus, the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch began.
“The first year, we were only open for one weekend. I thought that was all I could handle,” Terry said.
With each year though, Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch was open more and more. “This year, we are open six weekends and every day when people want to come out,” Terry stated.
She works many long hours during the week. “Yesterday was a long day. I was wore out, but a good wore out,” Terry said. “I enjoy having people here and watching them get to bond while they are here.”
Terry does not work alone. “All of the family helps. Josh (their son) does the construction. Kelsey (daughter) does the artwork. Kiersten, James and Jesse (daughter and sons) work on the weekends. Whitney (daughter) picks up supplies in Omaha, where she lives.” Terry stated.
Call Wallerstedt’s at 402-685-5409 if you wish to make a weekday appointment.
Terry Wallerstedt is ready to greet people at Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
This group is enjoying the scarecrow building. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Who is driving this pickup? Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
The kids love the jumping pillow! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
The many pumpkins that are for sale. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Plenty of games to play. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Jaylynn Simonsen is enjoying the day at Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
The zipline is a huge hit! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Entrance to fun! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 18, 2013 Leave a comment
The Area Plan is used to identify and update the goals and objectives for the Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council over the next five years and is prepared with input from the public. The input collected identifies local needs and opportunities
for the six counties ( Burt , Cuming, Dakota, Dodge, Thurston & Washington counties) that the RC&D serves.
To be part of this important process, visit http://www.nlhrcd.org to access the 5-10 minute survey.
or
print the attached survey, fill out, and mail to: Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D
P.O. Box 24
Oakland, NE 68045-0024
October 18, 2013 Leave a comment
Northeast Sports Boosters are having a Spaghetti Supper and Family Feud fund raiser at school on Saturday night at 6:30. It should be a really fun event as we have 8 team(families) to compete in a Cougar version of the popular game show Family Feud. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for any student/child.
Kat Country Hub 
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