Joyce E. Rabe, 73, of Surprise AZ Formerly of Arlington NE


Joyce E. Rabe, age 73, of Surprise, Arizona, formerly of the Arlington, Nebraska area passed away Tuesday July 7, 2015 in Arizona.  Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church east of Winslow. The Rev. Jonathan Ripke will officiate. Burial will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.  A memorial fund will be determined at a later date.  Online guestbook can be accessed at http://www.ludvigsenmortuary.com.  Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce was born March 5, 1942 in Fremont to Milton and Roma ‘Johnson’ Meier. She was raised in rural Arlington, attended school in Hooper and graduated from Hooper High School in 1959. After high school Joyce worked at Hormel for a short time. She was married to Rodney Rabe on February 24, 1963 in Fontanelle. They farmed together in rural Arlington. Rodney died on November 17, 1994 but Joyce continued to live on the farm. She spent winters in Arizona before finally moving there permanently several years ago. While living in Nebraska Joyce was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hooper, since moving to Arizona she was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West.

Survivors:

Husband – Glen Grumann of Surprise, AZ.

Children – Renee (Michael) Schneider of Papillion

Jeff (LuAnn) Rabe of Arlington

Angie (Chad) Schuler of Gretna

Grandchildren – Trey (Abby) Schneider

Travis Schneider

Dalton Rabe

Kamryn and Brooklyn Schuler

Sister – Mardell (Tom) Wilkins of Fremont

Brother – Marvin (Jodi) Meier of Herman

Sister-in-law – Mary (Jim) Winterstein of Surprise, AZ.

Joyce was also preceded in death by her brother Steven Meier.

Joyce Rabe

Joyce Rabe

Getting Back to Work


By Governor Pete Ricketts

Growing Nebraska will not happen by accident – it takes careful planning. Connecting Nebraskans to good jobs is one way we can ensure that our state continues to grow, and it is something that I have directed members of my team to work on in their agencies across all of state government. For job creators, this is particularly important in light of our state’s lowest-in-the-nation unemployment rate of 2.6 percent. At the Department of Labor, growing job opportunities means looking for new ways to help unemployed Nebraskans expeditiously reenter the workforce by finding good jobs that fit their skills and experience.

 

This week, my administration announced the launch of Nebraska’s new reemployment system aimed at helping unemployment claimants reenter the workforce and making it easier to find a good job. Our state’s program developed by the Nebraska Department of Labor is the first of its kind of any state in the nation, and has won approval from the U.S. Department of Labor. The goal of the program is to utilize personal one-on-one assistance to connect the approximately 10,000 Nebraskans looking for work and applying for unemployment benefits with some of the over 50,000 jobs in the state’s job opening database.

 

Our state’s reemployment program is unique to other states for a couple reasons. First, nearly all jobseekers who receive unemployment benefits will be required to enroll in an individualized reemployment plan to remain eligible for benefits. Department of Labor staff will meet with each worker to develop their individualized reemployment plan shortly after an application is submitted for unemployment benefits. Second, the reemployment program leverages cutting edge software that requires jobseekers to create a resume searchable by potential employers who can make queries for skill inventory, find resumes with the right experience, and proactively reach out to potential applicants. Previously, the department successfully utilized a limited version of this program for jobseekers with a high probability of exhausting their benefits.

 

Nebraska’s new reemployment program has several components that will ensure that jobseekers in our state have the best resources on hand as they look for their next job. For example, not only will jobseekers work with agency staff to develop individual employment plans, but they will also help them to identify goals and objectives and determine the appropriate combination of services for the participant to meet their employment goals. These plans are designed to help engage the individuals and provide them with a clear understanding of where they are going.

 

Additionally, all participants will be required to create an account on the state’s employment website, NEworks. This account will allow individuals access to employment tools and resources, such as a resume builder, a messaging center to communicate with employers and workforce staff, free online learning resources, job search options including a virtual recruiter to identify personalized employment opportunities, and access to their individual employment plan.

 

Finally, this reemployment program will use assessments to provide data-driven opportunities to jobseekers. The assessments will cover career interests, skills confidence, and work values. The results will be reviewed with the jobseeker to ensure they represent an accurate picture of the individual and to identify areas of knowledge, skill, and ability that they can leverage as productive members of the workforce. The assessments will then be used in conjunction with labor market information and previous work experience to determine options and opportunities that exist in the current job market.

 

The formal launch of this program in October represents a paradigm shift for our unemployment system. By focusing on reemployment, we can help Nebraskans reenter the workforce more quickly and ensure that they are meeting their career goals, while connecting our state’s job creators with talent across our state. If you have any feedback or questions about the program or anything on your mind, please send me your thoughts atpete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or call my office at 402-471-2244.

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts

 

Caregiver Support Group to Meet


The monthly Caregiver Support Group will meet at the Bancroft Senior Center, this coming Monday, July 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. The information that is shared by those in attendance is kept confidential. If you are a caregiver; please feel free to come and join us and if you have never attended a meeting you are also welcome.

News From Bancroft Senior Center


The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

Meals on Wheels

*Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.

Weekly Activities:

Wed. July 15: No melody chimes practice today. Join us for coffee at 10:00. Sign up to play 5-handed pinochle at 1:30.

July 16: Rolls and coffee served from 9:00 until noon. Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex class at 10:45. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30.

Fri. July 17: Come and enjoy yourself at the birthday party at 1:30; play pitch, or hand & foot or you can work on the jigsaw puzzle if you don’t care for cards. Lunch is served at 3:30.

Mon .July 20: The caregiver support group will meet at 2:00 p.m. Sign up if you are planning to come to the picnic supper on the 22nd, we want to have enough food available for everyone.

Tues. July 21: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:45. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Sign up to play pitch today at 1:30.

Wed. July 22: We will have melody chimers 9:00. Join us for coffee at 10:00. There will be bingo at 2:00. Please sign up by 10 a.m. if plan on coming to the picnic supper at 6:00 p.m. Will play cards, dominoes or work on puzzles after supper.

Market Report


Sept Corn +2 ½ @ 4.37 ¼

Dec Corn+3 ¼ @ 4.48 ¼

Aug Beans +3 ½ @ 10.35 ½

Nov Beans _4 @ 10.26 ¼

 

Grain Markets:

It feels like there is so much to talk about with the 180 degree shift in fundamentals on June 30th after the release the USDA stocks report.  before the dust settled, anticipation of yet another report caused new buyers to enter the market giving us a nice rally starting Thursday last week.  The trade felt the July 10th USDA Supply and Demand report would provide a reduction in yield expectations.  However the USDA left yields unchanged.  This would be seen as negative, but the buyers still came, posting new highs in December corn reaching the contract high of $4.49 and November Soybeans reaching $10.36.  It seems buyers really want to buy, despite somewhat negative news.  This is quite a shift from just a few weeks ago when there was record selling.  Looking forward, many traders are still confident we will see a yield estimate reduction in the USDA August report.

 

To summarize Friday’s report charts provided below:

image006

image007

*Yield was left unchanged, but will be updated in the August S&D report
**Acres were pulled from the June 30th Planted Acreage report 

 

It always feels better when we are in a bull market……when buyers keep grain supported.  We are still seeing some weather still remains our primary focus as well which continue to add premium to grain prices.  Hopefully this will continue to push the bullish excitement and provide more selling opportunities moving forward.

 

Strategy: It seems a shame not to reward such a nice rally with a sale.  With the strength in the market, and question of what is yet to be seen as far as market potential, it may be wise for producers to look at using some sort of floor strategy to protect the bottom, yet participate in upside potential.

 

Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

P: (402) 685-5613 | C: (402) 380-9855 | Greg.Mockenhaupt@cvacoop.com

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com

Oakland Library Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir


 By Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director 

 The Martian by Andy Weir grabs the reader the instant you begin. The story is told from the perspective of Mark Watney, an astronaut for NASA. He and a crew are collecting samples on MARS when a dust storm causes them to do an emergency evacuation. During the process, Watney is injured and presumed dead. His captain, in an effort to save the rest of the crew leaves his body on MARS. Only Watney is not dead and the tale that unfolds is incredible.

As the story progresses we get narratives from key NASA members, media and Watney’s crew, further drawing us into the suspense. Will Watney be saved or will he die alone on MARS?

Weir is a masterful writer, from his descriptions of MARS, the equipment involved, to the character depth. Despite all of the technical jargon the story flows enough that even non-science fiction readers will enjoy “The Martian”.

The son of a physicist, and with a background in computer science, Weir researched to make the story realistic; studying orbital mechanics, astronomy, and the history of manned spaceflight.      

Director Ridley Scott brings “The Martian” to theaters this October, starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristin Wiig and Kate Mara. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this amazing story by reading the book first. You know the book is always better!

Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

USDA Report


image001

image002

*Yield was left unchanged, but will be updated in the August S&D report

**Acres were pulled from the June 30th Planted Acreage report

 

CORN

The friendly June 30th Stocks report allowed the USDA to raise old crop feed demand 50 mbu this month. Combined with increases in ethanol (+25 mbu) and exports (+25 mbu), improved demand shrunk the 14/15 carryout by 97 mbu. The new crop balance sheet saw the USDA leave yield estimates unchanged, noting that updates would be available in their August 12th report. Acreage numbers were pulled from the June 30th acreage report, so the reduction in harvested acres allowed production estimates to decline 100 mbu for new crop corn. New crop demand projections saw feed (-25 mbu) and exports (-25 mbu) reduced, while ethanol added 25 mbu. The net effect was a reduction to the new crop carryout of 172 mbu – the market was looking for a little bit more. Our Take: The market is trading its own yield ideas right now, so the USDA leaving their number unchanged had little impact to the trade. It will be difficult to get an accurate feel on the national yield until we see the USDA’s thoughts on August 12th. Until then, crop ratings and the weather forecast through pollination will dictate whether we go higher or lower. The funds are supporting the market right now, which continues to push corn higher.

 

SOYBEANS

The old crop soybean balance sheet saw demand continue to work higher with crush and exports each adding 15 mbu on Friday. The June 30th stocks report confirmed a tighter soybean situation that some suspected, which resulted in a 44 mbu increase to residual demand. This essentially means that the USDA overestimated the size of last year’s crop and they are accounting for it here. The result was a 75 mbu reduction to the old crop carryout. New crop saw acreage ideas come straight across from the acreage report in June, while yield was left untouched and will await August revisions. The higher acres from June bumped production higher (+35 mbu), but a smaller carry-in and an increase to crush demand (+10 mbu) led to a net reduction in the carryout by 50 mbu. However, at 425 mbu, the estimate was higher than pre-report thoughts. Our Take: The soybean market has acreage and yield questions right now, even after the updated acreage numbers in June. Until the USDA updates their thoughts on both of these categories, the market should stay supported. There seem to be too many question marks with soybeans right now to push them aggressively lower. 

 

At the close of trading today:

CORN:   +6’0                       $4.34’4

SOYBEANS: +4’0               $10.30’2

WHEAT: -8’0                       $5.71’2

 

 

Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

P: (402) 685-5613 | C: (402) 380-9855 | Greg.Mockenhaupt@cvacoop.com

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com

Broader, Bolder, Better!


Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education (June, 2015)

Rachel Wise

Rachel Wise

Two very important topics addressed at the State Board of Education meeting in June were Career Education and Nebraska’s new system of accountability, AQuESTT—Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow. The Nebraska Department of Education introduced the concept of Broader—Bolder—Better to define the work of accountability, but I think the phrase applies to both topics I will write about this month.

The month of June started off with the annual Nebraska Career Education Conference in Kearney. It was an honor and privilege to attend this conference and to learn of the great work of career education teachers in schools across Nebraska. This past year, a Nebraska State Board of Education study committee chaired by John Witzel tackled the topic of career education in Nebraska. The committee’s recommendations were presented to teachers and administrators at the Kearney conference and again to the State Board. The recommendations described as opportunities in the report included the need to: address the teacher shortage in career education; maintain and expand the quality and student access to career education programs; infuse career readiness across grade levels and curricular areas; develop meaningful workplace experiences for students as a model for career guidance.

The next steps are to implement the strategies tied to these opportunities across schools in Nebraska. Some examples of the strategies include: defining career readiness for students in Nebraska; developing more opportunities for career-based virtual learning experiences to help students learn about career pathways in Nebraska; develop scholarships or loan forgiveness programs for teachers going into career education fields. If you know young people who are thinking about pursuing a career in education, encourage the fields of Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Industrial Technology and Engineering or Information Technology. Once these recommendations are implemented, I believe Career Education in Nebraska will be Broader—Bolder—Better!

On to the next topic which is much more difficult to write about. State Board members we have all spent a great deal of time thinking about—accountability. For us, accountability is AQuESTT—Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow.

In March, I wrote about the new system of accountability and the primary indicators that will be used to classify schools. This month, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) updated the State Board on the process that will be used to classify schools as excellent, great, good or needs improvement. Within the needs improvement classification, the three schools in most need of improvement and subsequently, intervention will be designated as priority schools. NDE staff also shared information and timelines about that identification process. Outcome measures such as growth and improvement on Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA) assessments and high school graduation rates will be used for the first step in the process called “raw classification.” After these outcome measures are calculated, a process called “evidence-based analysis” that looks at other indicators or quality factors such as teacher certification, curriculum or instructional practices will occur. All this information will be used in the “final classification” and in the development of a School Profile that designates a school’s classification level and describes the characteristics that resulted in the school’s classification. This sounds pretty complicated, and in some ways it is!! However, in looking at the plans and processes, I think once schools, communities, parents and students see the School Profiles, they will start to understand why their schools or districts were classified as excellent, great, good or in need of improvement.

The members of the State Board of Education and the Nebraska Department of Education staff are committed to more than just classifying schools and designating three priority schools. We are committed to helping schools improve. AQuESTT is being developed to inform schools on areas of strengths and needs and to help schools with systems of support so they become Broader—Bolder—Better!

This article represents my personal view, not that of the State Board of Education or my role as president. Feel free to contact me at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov. Search the Nebraska Department of Education website at www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.

 

Lois A. Bowman, 96, of Hooper NE


Lois A. Bowman, age 96, of Hooper, Nebraska passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Fremont Health Medical Center.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14th , at Elim Lutheran Church in Swaburg.  Burial will follow in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ludvigsen’s Hooper Funeral Chapel. A memorial fund will be determined at a later date.  Ludvigsen’s Hooper Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Alma Margaret (Meyer) Bowman was born to J. Herman and Sophie (Wobken) Meyer on May 31, 1919 in rural Dodge County near Uehling, Nebraska. Lois grew up attending District #18 school through 8th grade and then attended Uehling High School, graduating in 1936. Throughout her youth she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Westside) where she was baptized and confirmed. She helped her family on the farm, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir. She remained on the family farm with her mother Sophie and brother Chris where she helped her brother farm during WW II and nursed her mother through her final years. After her mother’s death, she moved in with her sister Martha and husband Henry Wobken.

On July 14, 1945, Lois married Melvin Arthur Bowman at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and moved to the Bowman family homestead near Uehling. There she worked as a homemaker, farm wife, and mother. She was active in her church, Elim Lutheran Church (Swaburg), the American Legion Auxiliary, Lutheran Church Women (LCW), the election board, and Dodge County FHA Board.

In later years she enjoyed spending her winters in Arizona near her daughter Joanne, and traveled to Europe several times. She also was an avid china painter, who enjoyed sharing her beautiful work with numerous members of her family and friends. She also played in several bridge card clubs. Lois enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events at Logan View with the “grandma brigade.”

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin A. Bowman, parents; brothers: George, Herbert, Christof, Lawrence, Herman, and Gerald Meyer; sisters: Meta and Anna Meyer, Martha Wobken, Katherine Leona Schutte, Alma Heitshusen, Alice Liston, and Myra Muller.

She is survived by her daughter Joanne K. Bowman of Scottsdale, AZ; son and daughter-in-law Ron and Anita Bowman of Fremont, NE; grand children and spouses, Elizabeth and Ken Halvorsen of Lincoln, NE, Dr. Erik and Crystal Bowman of Madison, WI, Alicia and Dr. Erich Schafer of Cedar Springs, MI; great-grandchildren, Jordan Satter and Kaitlyn Halvorsen of Lincoln, NE, Brigham and Ellianna Schafer of Cedar Springs, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lois Bowman

Lois Bowman

Brent Miller Crowned Fremont 4-H King


Fremont 4-H Fair Results

Burt County 4-H members made a good showing at the Fremont 4-H Fair last week at Christensen Field in Fremont. One of the highest awards went to Brent Miller of Lyons. He was crowned the Fremont 4-H Fair King at the community luncheon Friday. This honor comes after filling out an application giving an overview of his extensive 4-H career and going through an interview.  Besides the crown he receives two scholarships. One is the Jack Paulson Scholarship and the other is the Rhonda Schroeder Memorial Scholarship.

Swine Show:

The Swine Showmanship contest showed a lot of Burt County talent. Jenna Bromm, of Oakland won the senior division while Brayden and Elise Anderson, both of Lyons took 3rd place in the Intermediate and Junior Divisions respectively. Jocelyn Hightree of South Sioux City and Cason Stevenson of Oakland both received blue ribbons.

In the Swine Show Jenna Bromm came away with the Champion Progress Gilt as well as two other first and second purples in her classes. Brayden Anderson had a top purple and two blue ribbons with his animals. Cason Stevenson also had a top purple along with a blue ribbon. Jocelyn Hightree had a purple and a blue ribbon while Elise Anderson received 3 blues on her hogs.

Elise Anderson took a break from showing her pigs and took part in the Insect Identification Contest where she won the gold medal in the Junior Division.

Beef Show:

Bailey Fleischman of Tekamah had a great day in the Beef Show. He showed the Supreme Campion Commercial Breeding Heifer, a purple ribbon winning market steer and was the silver medal winning showman in the senior showmanship division. Cody Elliott of Tekamah also showed a purple ribbon breeding heifer as did Jessica Fleischman of Herman. Blue ribbons were earned by Bryce Uhing and Abigail Peterson of West Point.

Leah Keithley of Hooper showed the reserve champion market heifer. She also showed another purple ribbon winner as did Vanessa Peterson and Bryce Uhing both of West Point.

In the Market Steer Division Cody Elliott, Abigail Peterson and Jadyn Fleischman all showed purple ribbon animals.

In Beef Showmanship besides Bailey Fleischman as the silver medal winner in the senior division, Bryce Uhing received a purple. In the Junior Division Leah Keithley received a purple ribbon.

 

 

Sheep Show:

In the Sheep Show Layne Miller of Lyons took home reserve champion breeding ewe as well as three blue ribbons in the market lamb division.

Brent Miller of Lyons showed two purple ribbon breeding ewes and a purple and blue ribbon market lambs.

Bailey Pelan of Oakland received two purple ribbons on her market lambs while Hannah Brudigam of Oakland showed two blue ribbon lambs.

In showmanship Bailey Pelan received a purple ribbon in the Junior Division, while Layne Miller received a blue in the intermediate division and Brent Miller received a red in senior showmanship.

Dog Show:

Megan Olson of Tekamah won the gold medal in Senior Dog Showmanship while Rayna Hladky of Tekamah received a purple and Casey Stone of Tekamah a blue in intermediate showmanship.

In Beginning Novice division Megan Olson and Casey Stone both received blues while Rayna Hladky received a red.

In the Agility Division Megan Olson, Casey Stone and Rayna Hladky all received purples.

Horse Show:

Results of the Horse Show found Reese Hansen of Herman receiving a purple in Senior Showmanship while Bobbie Castle Gosch of Decatur received a white. In Junior Showmanship Lakyn Humphrey of Decatur received a red ribbon.

Reese Hansen received a purple in Pony Pleasure and in Wester Pleasure Sr. she received a red. She also received a red in Sr. Western Horsemanship.

Lakyn Humphrey received a red in Jr Western Pleasure.

In the speed contests, Lakyn Humphrey received second purple in the Jr. Barrels and a white in poles. In the senior divisions, Bobbie Castle Gosch received reds in both barrels and poles.

Rabbit Show:

Bobbie Castle Gosch of Decatur received reserve champion in Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship while in the Junior Division Lakyn Humphrey received a blue ribbon.

Grace Monson of Craig received a purple and a blue with her Netherland Dwarf.

Bobbie Castle Gosch showed a purple ribbon winning Holland Lop and Lakyn Humphry received a blue on her Holland rabbit.

Goat Show:

Abigail Peterson of West Point received a purple and two blues on her meat goats.

Shooting Sports Contest:

Thomas Hennig of Tekamah was named Champion in the Senior Division in the air rifle division.

Static Exhibit Results:

Results of the static 4-H exhibits will be shared next week.

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

Brent Miller of Lyons was crowned Fremont 4-H Fair King. Photo Courtesy of Mary Loftis.

Brent Miller of Lyons was crowned Fremont 4-H Fair King. Photo Courtesy of Mary Loftis.