Our Beautiful Nebraska

August 5, 2015 Leave a comment


The natural beauty of our great state and its rich cultural heritage have made Nebraska a truly special place. As Governor, I always tell people that I have the best job in the world because our state is the greatest place in the world to live, work, and raise a family. One of the favorite parts of my job as Governor is traveling the state, experiencing its natural beauty and our cultural heritage, and listening to your stories and those of all Nebraskans.

 

As I mentioned in last week’s column, I have been traveling the state recently as a part of a town hall tour so that I can listen to Nebraskans. Along the way, I have also been able to join some of the numerous celebrations and festivals that are long-standing traditions in almost every Nebraska community. From Native Omahans Days in North Omaha to Wilber Czech Days, communities across our state have developed their own unique celebrations as a way to preserve their history, share their cultural identity or put their own spin on a traditional holiday. These events bring us together as Nebraskans and serve as an important economic development tool for communities both large and small.

 

After I hosted town halls in Wayne and Laurel two weeks ago, I had the honor of attending and speaking at the 149th Annual Homecoming Celebration of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, also known as the Winnebago Veteran’s Pow-Wow. This is the oldest continuous pow-wow in the nation, and attracts thousands of people from across the nation and around the world. The drive through the hills around Winnebago and Macy is one of the most beautiful in the state, especially during the summer when the crops are deep green. The festivities began with a performance of the Lord’s Prayer and a Grand March full of musical and dance performances from talented performers of all ages.

 

Later that same week, Susanne and I packed up the family and drove to Burwell for Nebraska’s Big Rodeo. Around 15,000-20,000 people attend the rodeo in this town of about 1,200 creating an estimated economic impact of $750,000! At the rodeo, I had the honor of presenting the Grand Marshall Award.

 

One of my personal favorite annual traditions is the Fourth of July celebration in Seward. Like the events Winnebago and Burwell, this tradition in Seward is deeply rooted in the community’s history dating back to 1868. Over the years, the celebration has grown, and now attracts an estimated 40,000 people annually for festivities that range from a car show to an antique market and its renowned parade, which draws so many thousands that local community members stake out their territory along the route days ahead of time!

 

I encourage you to consider spending time traveling to new places around our state to explore the endless variety of opportunities. If you need some ideas on where to begin, the Nebraska Tourism Commission offers a great tool to get you started: the Nebraska Passport. The Passport program features a variety of tours you can take across our state that will take you to new and exciting destinations. Visit NebraskaPassport.com for more information. After you visit a new part of the state, I hope that you will share your experiences with your friends and neighbors, and encourage them to explore our state.

 

As always, you are invited to contact my office at any time with your questions or comments at 402-471-2244 or pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


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. Aug. 5: Melody chimers will practice 9:00 am. Join us for coffee at 10:00 am. Play fun bingo at 2:00 pm.

Thurs. Aug. 6: 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. Aug 7: The Farmers Market is open today from 9:00 – 11:00 am. Sign up to play in the pinochle or hand and foot tournament at 1:30 pm. St. Joseph from West Point will furnish the snack at 3:30 pm.

Mon .Aug. 10: Come in and play the card game of golf at 1:30 pm.

Tues. Aug. 11: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:45. Stop in for coffee at 10:00 am. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 pm.

Wed. Aug. 5: We will have melody chime practice at 9:00 am. Join us for coffee at 10:00 am. Play UNO or Rummy-Kub at 1:30 pm.

 

 

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Market Report

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Markets

Dow -70.92
S&P -2.72
NASDAQ -3.92

 

The U.S Stock market opens fairly flat this morning, slipping into the morning.  July has been a rough month for commodities which continue their negative streak this morning.  Copper and Aluminum fall to 6 year lows.

 

Oil opened deep in the red, slipping to levels not seen since March.  Crude’s supply and demand picture looking bearish with China being the second largest oil consumer.  Concerns about the condition of the Chinese economy continues to leave a bearish tone for many investors.

 

Greek share prices plunged today after trading resumed in Athens following a five-week halt.  The Athex Composite earlier today traded as low as about 615, its lowest level in about three years.

 

Grain Markets 9:56am

Corn -2 ¼ @ $3.68 ¼
Dec Corn -2 ½ @ $3.78 ¾
Beans -3/4 @ $9.80
Nov Beans -3 @ $9.37 ¼

 

Weather

Weather this week looks good for crops in the field with temps in the 80’s and a chance of rain each day.

Corn/Beans

It seems the negative direction continues this week.  Primarily concerns of Chinese demand due to economic uncertainty, the continued strength in the U.S Dollar makes South American corn look cheap and potentially hurting U.S Exports, there just doesn’t seem to be a reason to be bullish. In addition, the USDA crop report is coming August 12th.

Weather news could be a factor, however, the weather across the Midwest continues to be a non-event.

 

Strategy:  For those of you currently holding a corn hedge/HTA we are consistently an opportunity to roll from December to March for about 10-11 cents.  If you are planning to carry some of your corn into January or later, now may be the time to lock in the carry.  (Example $4.50 Dec Hedge, roll to March adds .11 = $4.61)

 

Basis:  As the market pushes down, we may see basis opportunities, with harvest approaching, it is going to be time to start watching basis levels, and setting those pre-harvest.

For Fun:

It’s been a year since our trip to Universal Studios, when we had the opportunity to go to “Springfield” and stop by Duff’s Tavern for a “Duff” beer.  No chance of buying one to go, Orlando and Los Angeles are currently the only place you can go get yourself a bottle of the fictitious beer.  Until now…. there was no discussion of making it commercially available, until recently Fox has decided to begin the venture starting internationally!

Quoted below from The Wall Street Journal

“For decades, real beer sellers from Australia to Germany to Colombia have been trying to capitalize on all this fake marketing by putting real versions of Duff Beer into the market—only to be shut down after hearing from lawyers for “Simpsons” owner 21st Century Fox.

But this week, the media giant is entering the Duff Beer business itself—beginning in Chile, with plans to roll out to more of South America and Europe by early next year.

The company has been consulting with a brewmaster to get the flavor just right, and plans subtle packaging with no obvious nods to the TV show—just an exact replica of the cartoon brew that will play like an inside joke for Simpsons superfans.

As for the domestic market, outside of the “Simpsons” section of Universal’s theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles, no Duff is available in the U.S., but Fox isn’t ruling it out.

“I think there’s potential to have Duff everywhere in the world,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of the media company’s consumer products division. (21st Century Fox and Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp were part of the same company until mid-2013.)

The global thirst for Duff is understandable. “The Simpsons” is the longest-running scripted series in television history, and so widely distributed that Fox executives say an episode is airing somewhere in the world, at all times, day or night, 365 days a year.”

You can read the rest here http://www.wsj.com/articles/duff-beer-tries-to-tap-markets-outside-springfield-1436553842

 

 

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

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Lyons City Council Agenda

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


 

A Copy of the “Open Meetings Act” Has Been Posted on the Bulletin Board on the North Side in the Council Chambers.

 

LYONS CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

August 4, 2015 – 4:30 P.M. Budget Workshop

 

The City Council reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time as deemed appropriate and in accordance with State Statute.

 

 

  1. Meeting called to order.

 

  1. Budget work session.

 

  1. Adjourn.

 

 

August 4, 2015 – 5:30 P.M. Regular Meeting

 

The City Council reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time as deemed appropriate and in accordance with State Statute.

  1. ROUTINE BUSINESS – Regular Meeting

 

  1. Meeting called to order.

 

  1. PUBLIC HEARING

None.

 

    III. CONSENT AGENDA

Recommended Action: Approval of Consent Agenda

NOTE: All items are automatically approved when the Consent Agenda is approved unless moved to the Regular Agenda by the request of any single Council member.

  1. Dispense with reading of minutes of meeting held July 7.
  2. Claims as presented.
  3. Treasurer report.
  4. Clerk Report of Mayoral Action of July 7 meeting: Ordinance 719: Amend the adopted 2014-2015 Budget was signed and published. Resolution No 2015-4: Adopt the Lower Elkhorn NR Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan was signed.

 

Motion and second to approve the Consent Agenda/Tabulation of Vote.

 

 

  1. REGULAR AGENDA / NEW BUSINESS

Consideration and Action:

 

 

  1. Chad Kehrt of Olsson Associates – Update on the Lyons Community Center Project.

 

  1. Tim Slaughter – Discuss changing the deductible amount on the City’s insurance to save on premium costs.

 

  1. Approve/not approve changing the deductible amount on the City’s property/liability insurance.
    1. Motion and second from Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Graham Christensen – Discuss solar and wind energy.

 

  1. T Jay DiBacco of Ohio National – Discuss possible changes to the City’s current retirement plan.

 

  1. Pam Thomsen and Donna Preston – Discuss having a door to the kitchen from the small room of the Community Center and changing rates for the VFW and Happy Days events.

 

LYONS CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

August 4, 2015

 

 

  1. Michelle Stark – Requesting the use of the park gazebo for a wedding on May 7, 2016.

 

  1. Butch Imus – Discuss the City.

 

  1. Police report by Chief Buck.

 

  1. Library & Grant reports by Mike Heavrin.

 

  1. Utilities report.
  1. State St water services.
  2. Main St repairs.
  3. Swimming Pool.
  4. Condemned properties.
  5. Recycling help.
  6. Dead trees.
  7. Dangerous tree.

 

  1. Clerk’s Report.
  1. Income Statement – General.
  2. Income Statement – Utility.
  3. Budget Reports – General and Utility.
  4. Updated Office Procedure for Delinquent Accounts.

 

  1. Consider Ordinance 720: An Ordinance To Amend Provisions Relating To The Notice Required For Municipal Utilities; To Repeal Conflicting Ordinances And Sections; To Provide An Effective Date.
    1. Motion to suspend the statutory requirement of reading on three separate days.
    2. Motion and second from Council Members to adopt Ordinance 720.
    3. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider Ordinance 721: An Ordinance To Amend Provisions Relating To The Deposit Required For Municipal Utilities; To Repeal Conflicting Ordinances And Sections; To Provide An Effective Date.
    1. Motion to suspend the statutory requirement of reading on three separate days.
    2. Motion and second from Council Members to adopt Ordinance 721.
    3. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Discuss appointing an Advisory Pool Board.

 

  1. Discuss a date and time for an Open House/Dedication of the Lyons Community Center.

 

  1. Consider a special designated liquor license to Lyons Fire Dept for Brittney Buck’s wedding event on September 19, 2015.
    1. Motion and second by Council members to approve/not approve the request for a Special Designated Liquor License.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Motion and second by Council members to adjourn the meeting.
  1. Tabulation of vote.

 

 

 

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Storm Clouds Roll Past Oakland Sunday

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Storm clouds roll south of Oakland Sunday, appearing beautiful on the Oakland side, but leading to storms south of Oakland. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Storm clouds roll south of Oakland Sunday, appearing beautiful on the Oakland side, but leading to storms south of Oakland. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

DSC06859 DSC06860

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Oakland Public Library to Show DreamWorks Wednesday Night

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


At 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 5th the Oakland Public Library will be showing the newly released DreamWorks movie about Oh, a lovable misfit from another planet who lands on Earth and meets a teenage girl named Tip. The two unlikely friends embark on the greatest journey of all time…the journey Home!!
Bring your blankets/pillows and snuggle in at the library!!!

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The Burt County Fair Begins Friday!

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Below are pictures from the 2014 Burt County Fair along with a picture of the new windmill at the Burt County Fairgrounds, to the north of the 4-H kitchen. Be sure to come out and support the Burt County Fair beginning Friday and lasting until Tuesday!DSC06809 IMG_8413 IMG_8405 IMG_8201 IMG_8219 IMG_8288 IMG_8290 IMG_8293 IMG_8318 IMG_8197 IMG_8125

Here is the new Burt County Fair Sign, fully installed thanks to CBS Signs Inc. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Here is the new Burt County Fair Sign, fully installed thanks to CBS Signs Inc. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Burt County 4-H Horse Show Postponed

August 4, 2015 Leave a comment


The Burt County 4-H Horse Show scheduled for this morning in Oakland, NE has been postponed until a later date.

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Betty A. (Popken) Glodowski, 82, of Hooper NE, Formerly of Scribner NE

August 3, 2015 Leave a comment


Betty A. (Popken) Glodowski, age 82, of Hooper, formerly of Scribner, Nebraska passed away Friday, July 31, 2015 at the Hooper Care Center.  Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. in St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Scribner. Father Damien Wee will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Ridgeley Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday, August 7th, from 3-7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6-7 p.m.  A wake service will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. all at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  Memorials are suggested to be made to the family to be determined at a later date.  Online guestbook can be accessed at http://www.hooper-scribner.com.  Ludvigsen Scribner Funeral Chapel in Scribner is in charge of arrangements.

Betty was born February 14, 1933 to John and Julia (Neels) Popken. She graduated from Hooper High School in 1950. She was employed at the Fremont National Bank as a bookkeeper for five years during which time she married Richard Glodowski of Scribner on April 28, 1953. In the fall of 1955, after Richard returned from active duty in Korea, they moved to a farm south of Scribner and started a dairy operation. She remained there until moving to Hooper in 2012 following Richard’s death in 2009.

Betty and Richard have seven children. She was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Scribner and a member of the Ladies Guild. She enjoyed hard work and loved her role as a housewife and mother whether her work was in the kitchen, the barn, the garden, or in the field on the seat of a tractor. Betty was a 4-H leader for many years teaching not only her own children how to cook and sew, but passed on her knowledge to many others through the 4-H program.

Aside from the aforementioned activities, Betty’s favorite pastimes were those which centered around God, her husband, family and friends.

She is survived by her children Julie Todd, Mesa, AZ; David (Jeanne) Glodowski, Ames; Diane (Wendell) Ray, Greenfield, IA; Pat (Eddie) Garcia, Mesa, AZ; Terri (Doyle) Petersen, Firth; Lisa (Russ) Barnes, Minneapolis, MN; Susan (Ken) Goodall, Hardy; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, sister-in-laws Betty Elbracht, Howells and Elsie Popken, Fremont.

Betty Glodowski

Betty Glodowski

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Zoned Out

August 3, 2015 Leave a comment


The Center for Rural Affairs released a report entitled Zoned Out: An Analysis of Wind Energy Zoning in Four Midwest States.
According to  Alissa Doerr, Center for Rural Affairs Legal Extern and author of the report, Zoned Out analyses different approaches to zoning commercial wind energy systems in four different Midwest states – Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. The report also broke down the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, and what makes for effective zoning standards.
“Wind energy zoning remains generally uncoordinated and subject to state and local regulations, resulting in a piecemeal approach where zoning standards vary between states and within states,” Doerr said. “In order for wind energy development to continue increasing, there must be an effective approach to wind energy zoning implemented that reduces inconsistency and unpredictability caused by the patchwork approach that is currently in place.  The key is finding the right balance between local and state control.”
To view or download a full copy of the report go to:
“As wind energy continues to grow rural economies and expand across the Midwest, controversies have arisen as well as questions from local communities,” continued Doerr. “How will this affect my community? What are the rules for wind energy development?”
“Zoning authorities must aim for efficient and effective standards, incorporating considerations from the local areas where wind development would take place,” Doerr added.
Doerr explained further that, the key to effective wind siting and zoning regulation is to strike the right balance between local and state control, avoiding some of the pitfalls for either approach, while trying to capture the benefits. Authorities at the state and local level must consider the pros and cons that can result from difference ordinances. The ideal balance should be focused on consistent standards that still allow for local autonomy.
“As wind power continues to play a bigger role in meeting our energy demands, it’s important that we craft regulations that incorporate local preferences and address local concerns, while also providing clear and consistent standards for developers.”

 

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