Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch


“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.

  • The Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch is located two miles north of Oakland on highway 77 on the west side. The hours are from 1:00-8:00 p.m. on weekends, and appointments are welcomed through during the week. Among the many activities are: gunshot gulch go-karts, moonshiner slingshots, jumping pillow, hog wild barn slides, 3 acre corn maze, scarecrow forest, Zeb’s ziplines, trike track, Possum hollow costumes, tire swings, cozy coupe circle, kiddie roller coasters, animals, many pumpkins for sale and goodies for sale at the rusty bucket.

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.

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.

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.

Who is driving this pickup? Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

IMG_5825

The kids love the jumping pillow! 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.

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.

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.

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.

The zipline is a huge hit! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

IMG_5805 IMG_5806 IMG_5808

Entrance to fun! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Entrance to fun! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Area Plan Survey


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

County-wide micro-loan program


County-wide Micro-Loan Program for Commercial Buildings Sponsored by BCEDC

 

Are you a commercial building owner who has been considering making improvements to the exterior of your building?  Maybe you thought about purchasing a new awning or a new sign.  How about getting your building repainted or replacing windows.

A low-interest revolving loan program sponsored by the Burt County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) might just be the ticket! The Burt County Façade Improvement Program is a revolving loan fund that is funded by the Burt County Economic Development Corporation.  All funding is made available through private dollars.

Funds are available for exterior improvements and/or signage to storefront commercial buildings.  These funds are available at an interest rate of 2%, with the loan to be repaid in sixty monthly installments.  The maximum loan amount is $5,500 per project and applicants will need to provide a 15% cash match.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to provide a tool to be used for storefront renovations throughout Burt County.  This low-interest loan will not only be great for the building owner, but the improvements will help in the total community development of our county,” said Patty Plugge, Executive Director of BCEDC.

Applications are available at the BCEDC office at the Burt County Courthouse.

 

 

Harvest in the Heartland


These pictures were taken by Justin Beck. They are of Kusemark farms west of Pender. Tom Riemers is in the combine and Doug Hinklman is in the grain cart catching on the go.IMG_5850 IMG_5851 IMG_5853 IMG_5856

Beautiful Fall Wreath


I saw this in Oakland and just had to take a picture of it. Does anybody know what house this wreath is on?

Fall wreath. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Fall wreath. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Fall Picture


Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Teresa Carlson.

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Teresa Carlson.

Throw Back Thursday


This one is from me. It was taken in the fall of 1977. We still lived in Tekamah. I am wearing my pep club shirt as I was going to a Tekamah-Herman football game. In the picture is Grandma Marr, me, Angie, Grandpa Marr, Kristi and Jeff. It is an old polaroid, so it isn’t the clearest picture.

Grandma Marr, Denise, Angie, Grandpa Marr, Kristi and Jeff. Photo courtesy of Denise Gilliland.

Grandma Marr, Denise, Angie, Grandpa Marr, Kristi and Jeff. Photo courtesy of Denise Gilliland.

Throw Back Thursday


This picture was around 1986. It is Cherry (Nissen) Hanak, formerly of Oakland, her uncle and her son Austin. Photo courtesy of Cherry Hanak.

This picture was around 1986. It is Cherry (Nissen) Hanak, formerly of Oakland, her uncle and her son Austin. Photo courtesy of Cherry Hanak.

Throw Back Thursday


Kay and William Gatzemeyer. Married Feb. 4th 1961, Bancroft Catholic Church. Photo Courtesy of Kay Throener.

Kay and William Gatzemeyer. Married Feb. 4th 1961, Bancroft Catholic Church. Photo Courtesy of Kay Throener.

John G. Neihardt State Historical Site


Upcoming Events:

    .

  1. Up the River We Came, October 13, 2013At 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 13th, cultural history presenter Dwight Howe will present “Up the River We Came,” a history of the Omaha and Ponca tribes of Nebraska–reflections of the past while offering a contemporary insight to American Indians in today’s society.
  2. 14th Annual Laureate’s Feast, November 10, 2013The 14th Annual Laureate’s Feast will take place on Sunday, November 10th at the Culinary School at the Fort Omaha Campus of Metro Community College, Omaha. Tickets are $100. Events include a gourmet meal, silent and live auction. Reservations required.
  3. Hastings Bank Job, November 17, 2013Western author Monty McCord will hold forth on “The 1931 Hastings Bank Job and the Bloody Bandit Trail.” The show begins at 2:00 pm.
  4. Prairie Fiddle, December 8, 2013At 2:00 pm there will be a “Prairie Fiddle” musical program with David Fowler and Carolyn Johnson at the Neihardt Center.

For more information, please contact the Neihardt State Historic Site at 1-402-648-3388 or 1-888-777-4667 or by email at neihardt@gpcom.net. Visit the site at 306 W. Elm Street, Bancroft, NE.