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November 7, 2014 Leave a comment
Blaise Hartwell with his finished turkey he made at the Oakland library during craft time. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Laityn Johnson, Avery Christensen and Hilary Ray with the turkeys they made at the Oakland Library. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
November 7, 2014 Leave a comment
The Republican Party was first symbolized as an elephant in a cartoon drawn by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly magazine.
Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to Congress.
Vladimir Lenin’s forces overthrew Alexander Kerensky’s government in Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a fourth term in office, defeating Thomas E. Dewey.
Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt died in New York City at age 78.
Carl Stokes of Cleveland became the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city.
L. Douglas Wilder was elected governor of Virginia. He became the nation’s first elected black governor.
The U.S. went to the polls to choose between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The outcome wouldn’t be known for more than a month because of disputed votes in Florida.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
The City Office will close tomorrow (Friday November 7th) at Noon. We apologize for any inconvenience.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
Lan
Lana Minton, owner of Lana a Boutique, is pictured holding one of her many clothing items. She is celebrating the second anniversary of her store in West Point. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
a Minton, owner of Lana a boutique in West Point, NE is celebrating her second year of business, offering discounts throughout the store to her many loyal customers.
Running a business isn’t new to Lana. She was the owner of the L&M Shop in Lyons for 18 years prior to opening her shop in West Point. Her clientele in Lyons consisted mostly of an older group. She began losing customers gradually, due to many circumstances, such as retirement or moving to nursing homes, which ultimately brought about the decision to relocate to West Point.
“The demographic of West Point was the deciding factor,” stated Lana. “I have many customers from West Point, but I also have shoppers coming from surrounding communities, such as Schuyler, Columbus, Dodge, Howells, Norfolk, Beemer and Wisner, to name just a few.”
Her loyal customers from her L&M days haven’t forgotten about her. “My customers from Lyons, Oakland, Bancroft and other areas still do their shopping with me,” Lana said.
Lana’s shop is located at the former Style Plus shop in West Point. “The Style Plus owner, Diane, is also a good friend of mine. We knew each other through business and became friends,” Lana stated. “She couldn’t work as much due to her health and decided to retire. She came to me to see if I would be interested in relocating my business. I was excited to move as I knew it was time.”
She hadn’t closed down her shop in Lyons yet before moving to West Point, although she knew she would. “I became my own competitor. I decided to close Lyons due to lack of customer traffic. The writing had been on the wall for four years,” Lana said.
Her shop in West Point is much larger than the one she had in Lyons, offering her the opportunity to carry a larger variety of merchandise. The main level has a variety of ladies attire, everything from clothing, scarves, jewelry and a variety of shoe styles. Her upper level, the loft, houses clothing for the younger generation. “I am trying to appeal to the younger crowd. They could dress from head to toe for $75. There is also a room full of a variety clearance items for every shopper,” Lana stated.
Lana has also been doing a great deal of remodeling in her spare time. “I received a grant from Cuming County Economic Development. I bought carpet and have been doing some painting.” Lana said.
She also brought items, such as light fixtures and other things from her L&M shop. “I love to repurpose items. I also bought a chandelier from Nifty Thrifty in Oakland. I have some props, baskets, etc. from the old bathhouse in Lyons,” Lana stated.
She loves to decorate and rearrange displays in her store to make them eye catching and appealing. “I love to play, as I call it. It’s therapeutic. I also go junking when I am not working. It is amazing what you can find in thrift shops,” Lana said.
Stop in and visit Lana and congratulate her on her second year on Main Street in West Pont.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
Oakland’s Swedish Heritage Center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Sunday November 9th, the Swedish Heritage Center would like to invite you to attend the Logan Valley Quilters quilt show. Come enjoy all the fruits of labor of these lovely homemade quilts. The hours are 12:00-3:00 p.m.
We are also pleased to welcome Richard Gehrman, who is the author of the book Cow Creek. Richard is the nephew of the late Fergie Nelson of Oakland. Fergie’s children, Jane and Sam, will also be present. In 1888’s emigrant-populated city of Oakland, Nebraska, live Emil and Able, two teenage boys who devour dime store Western novels and dream of adventures on cattle ranches and Indian territories. Looking to make these dreams a reality, they set out into the wild country to work on Cow Creek Ranch. Injury soon forces Able to limp home, but Emil continues, with a fortitude that no amount of wild animals or bad weather can dissuade. But, what Emil finds is a ranch grasping at straws to stay alive amid rapidly changing times as well as the surprising cruelties of Indian reservation life. At every turn, reality hammers his dreams and Christian upbringing. Find out how this young man responds and what he learns along the wild, western way.
Richard Gehrman, a Nebraska native and avid hunter, is an author who began writing Cow Creek after his uncle, Fergie Nelson, challenged him to do so. Enjoy refreshments, coffee, cider and Swedish cookies to warm up on a cool afternoon.
Please also plan to support Oakland’s VFW as they will have their beef Bar-B-Que sandwich dinner from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Vets building in Oakland.
Sue’s Flower Shoppe will also be having her 20th anniversary open house. The holidays are fast approaching, so what a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Remember, the Swedish Heritage Center is available for your holiday parties or reunions. Just give us a call to book your event, 402-685-5652.
Next week we will announce all the future events at the Center so stay tuned for dates and times.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
Laityn Johnson, brown hair, and Avery Christensen are busy making turkeys during crafty time at the Oakland Public Library. Both photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
Halloween fun on Oakland’s Main Street. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
November 5, 2014 Leave a comment
“We’ve been blessed by 20 years of Sue’s and we hope you have been too,” stated Sue Beckner, owner of Sue’s Flower Shoppe in Oakland, NE.
When considering owning and operating her own business for the past 20 years, Sue is very reflective, sharing many of her memories. “When you think 20 years from now, it seems like forever or certainly a long ways off,” said Sue. The same can be said when thinking of 20 years ago. “You wonder where the time has gone. It seems like yesterday that Dee Blanc called me and said ‘Sue, it’s time,” Sue stated. “So, in November of 1994 Ted (Sue’s husband) and I purchased Deelightful Floral from Doc and Dee Blanc, changing the name to Sue’s Flower Shoppe and the rest is history.”
Many things have happened in the past 20 years, good and bad. “Whatever the situations we have endured, the blessings that have been bestowed upon us are countless,” Sue said.
Sue’s Flower Shoppe has always been and forever will be a family business. “It starts off with my husband ted. I will never be able to thank him enough for the love, patience, understanding and confidence that he has given me these past 20 years, not to mention the 14 years before that,” Sue stated. “I definitely would not have made it through these past years without him. He is the love of my life and my rock.”
Sue was also blessed with the support of her parents, the late Don and Marjorie Schold. “There were here every day with me and are still a huge influence in the person I am today. I am also blessed by the support of my in-laws Harold and the late Judy Beckner,” Sue said. “Then there are my children, Erin and Ross. “I could never have asked for two better kids.”
Erin was ten when Sue started her business. “She has always been a huge help to me and my best friend. She tells me like it is and I appreciate that more than she knows,” Sue stated. “I love having her here with me.” Erin is married to Bryon Peterson. They have two children, Josie age four and Rocco, two. “Bryson is a great son-in-law. Not only does he put up with me but is always willing to lend a hand,” Sue said. “And, Josie and Rocco, if you have been to the flower shoppe much, they have probably made you smile,” Sue said.
Josie likes to make new displays and Rocco, aka Bob the Builder, likes to fix things at the shoppe. “We are so lucky that they drop in quite often to brighten our day,” Sue stated.
Ross is a senior at Kansas State University. “Growing up, he spent a lot of time at the flower shoppe. His kindergarten teacher said he was the only five year old she knew that could count by fives, tens and twenties. To keep him busy, I would have him count my cash box at the end of the day,” Sue said. “It seems that paid off. We are thrilled that he has brought Lena Hennig into our lives. Not only is she a beautiful asset to our family, she is also very creative.”
Sue’s Flower Shoppe has what Sue refers to as her extended family. “Jane Larson, Crazy Jane as most of you know her, is amazing. She has been with me for 17 years. She was an answer to prayers when my dad became sick and has been by my side ever since.” Sue stated. Deb Durre joined Sue’s Flower Shoppe four years ago. “She is definitely the ray of sunshine at the shoppe. She is very creative and a great listener,” Sue said. Jessie Keogh is another member of the family. “She is here quite often and does a number of jobs for us. From tickets to deliveries, she is an important part of our family,” Sue stated. Last, but not least, is Christy Jones. “20 years ago when I took on this business, I couldn’t even tie a boy. Christy cam to me right away and said, ‘Sue, do you need help?’ Once again, I thought, thank you God,” Sue said. “Christy has been a party of my family ever since and I can’t thank her enough.”
She doesn’t just consider these ladies employees, they are her sisters and coworkers. “We have been through many life changing experiences together and have formed a bond never to be broken,” Sue stated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would not be able to do it without you. Also a huge thank you to all of my seasonal helpers. You are the best.”
Sue loves her job. “They say if you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life. That is true,” Sue said.
She finds being a florist very rewarding, and the one profession that generally brings smiles. “Let’s face it, flowers make you happy. When you send flowers, you spread joy and happiness, even in times of sorrow,” Sue stated. “This may seen crazy to you, but one of my favorite things to do is funerals.” Sue has buried a lot of relatives and very good friends in the past 20 years and shed many tears while arranging the flowers. “The rewards are priceless because I was able to make one last personal tribute to those special people.” Sue said.
One of the highlights in life and my profession is seasons. Sue loves the change of colors, flowers and foliage, the change in the weather and even the seasons of our lives. “As it says in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, ‘There is a time for everything and season for every activity under heaven.’ We weather most all of these seasons at Sue’s Flower Shoppe,” Sue stated. “Birth and death, planting and harvest, sickness and healing, crying and laughter, sorrow and celebration.”
Sue personally thanks God, her family, her Sue’s girls, friends and all of her customers for the support they have given her for the past two decades. “I could not have done it without you. So, once again, We have been blessed by 20 years of Sue’s. We hope you have been too!”
Sue is celebrating 20 years of Sue’s Flower Shoppe with an open house this Sunday, November 9th, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Everyone is invited!
Sue at the beginning of her business, 20 years ago, with beautiful poinsettias surrounding her. Photo courtesy of Sue Beckner.
The Beckner family, front row, Sue, holding grandson Rocco and Ted, holding granddaughter, Josie. Back, from left, Bryson, Erin, Ross and Lena. Photo courtesy of Sue Beckner.
November 5, 2014 2 Comments
November 5, 2014 Leave a comment
Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey
We had a fun week last week, it was great to see the Kindergarteners here on Thursday and the Residents Halloween party went good, the winners of the costume contest was 1st place Roger Huber as a old biker, 2nd place was Kathy Reed as a witch and 3rd place was Angie Bicking as a ring master. The winners of the pumpkin decorating contest in 1st place Nancy Silvey with the Shrek pumpkin, 2nd place was Assisted Living with the Mr. and Mrs. AL, and 3rd place was Connie Schneekloth with the Owl pumpkin. The winner of the Jar of tootsie rolls was Joan Price and the winner of the Jar of suckers was Jessica Gardeman. It was a fun party.
On Thursday the 6th of this week is a Puttin on the Ritz Soup and Sandwich Dinner at 11:30 am for the residents. Next week on Tuesday November 11th at 11:15 am we will be going down to Golden Oaks for their Potluck. Then in the afternoon at 2:30 we will be having a assortment of pumpkin desserts provided by the PR committee. On Thursday November 13th Charlie Davis will be here to play his Harmonica. Then on Saturday November 15th the Rusty buckets will be here to play at 2:30 pm.
Church Service for Sunday November 9th at 2:30 pm will be given by the First Lutheran Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Tuesday November 11th at 9:30 am is Catholic Mass with Father Paul.
Activities for the week of November 10th to November 15th are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Reading Group, Sing A Long, Crafts, Bingo w/Evang. Free, Bible Fellowship , Crafty cooking, Friday Bingo, Let’s Play Ball, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Walk.
Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Anne Anderson, Betty Hanna, Mary Donavon, Seth Anderson, Dani Moseman, Di Ruwe, Mary Alice Pearson, Bonnie Fleischman, Pat Anderson, and Sylvane Rouse.
Guest signing in this week was: Butch and Janice Anderson to see Bob and Yvonne Stromquist.
Kat Country Hub 
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