News From Bancroft Senior Center

July 21, 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. July 22: Melody chimers will practice 9:00 am. Join us for coffee at 10:00 am. We will bingo at 2:00 pm. The evening picnic supper will be at 6:00 p.m., the center will furnish all of the food. Cost for the supper is $6.00. Cards and games will be played after the dishes are washed.

Thurs. July 23: 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 24: The Farmers Market opens today at 9:00 am; it will be located by the town bulletin board.

Mon .July 27: Pitch tournament at 1:15 pm. Monthly board meeting at 3:30 pm.

Tues. July 28: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:45. Stop in for coffee at 10:00 am. We will have a fried chicken dinner at 12:00 please make reservations if you are planning to eat with us. Cards, puzzles and games will be played in the afternoon.

Wed. July 29: We will have melody chime practice at 9:00 am. Join us for coffee at 10:00 am. There will be a golf game tournament at 1:30 am.

 

 

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Market Report and South Dakota Sights

July 21, 2015 Leave a comment


Markets @10:50am

Dow +27
S&P +2.26
Nasdaq +9.90

 

U.S. stocks were little changed early Monday following a batch of better-than-expected earnings from companies such as google (jumping 16.3%) and Hasbro (jumping 5.8%).  Investors turned their attention to a stream of corporate earnings reports from several large companies this week.  The Nasdaq ended at a record level on Friday, Gaining 46.96 points, or .9%, to 5210.14.  Googles surge is to blame posting their 3rd largest daily gain ever.

 

The U.S. Dollar rose to its highest level as compared to the Euro in nearly 3 months on Friday, likely due to the continued discussion of the feds interests rate hikes later this year.

 

Gold Hits 5 Year Low

Gold tumbles, hitting 5 year low at the open today after 23 days of steady decline.  Gold likely weighed down by the U.S Dollars continued gains and the continued concern of the first U.S interest rate increase in more than 9 years.  While some analysts believe the down trend is the market taking advantage of low liquidity as opposed to actual fundamentals.

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Grain Markets @ 10:51am

Sept Corn -7 ½ @ $4.12 ¾
Dec Corn – 7 ½ @ $4.23 ¾
Aug Beans -6 @ $10.08 ¾
Nov Beans -6 ½ @ $10.00 ¼ 

 

A weaker start to the open this week due to favorable weather through the Midwest.  Fridays CFTC report showed spec funds long 130k corn, and just over 80k beans, the funds are liquidating some of these positions today causing some market negativity.  Also expecting crop ratings report out this afternoon, not looking to see much of an adjustment.

 

Corn – With today’s low landing right at the 20 day moving average we are likely to see some support in the $4.21 area for Dec Corn.  The next support line would fall at $4.10.  I will also mention there was a “Gap” at the open, many technical analysts believe there is almost always a gap retracement.  If that holds true we should see ourselves back to at least $4.29 ¼ in the short term.

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Beans opened very weak this morning below $10, but have gain back most of what was lost on the overnight by mid-morning.  The story in beans may not play out until August when USDA resurveys Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas.  The trade believes we may see USDA reduce yield estimates by a few bushels.  Until then it seems Nov Beans will continue to see support at $9.80 and resistance at $10.30 giving us a wide trading range, until we get some news sending us one way or another.

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For Fun: Just returning from a vacation in South Dakota, I took the family to see some of the most impressive marvels of nature starting with the Badlands, the Needles, Sylvan Lake, Custer Park and even crystal cave.  Then of course Mt. Rushmore, something that many of us have seen but forget how truly amazing the process of making it was.  All done through private funding, this is not likely ever seem something of this magnitude in our lifetime being built.  Mt. Rushmore cost $989,992.32 to build, taking 14 years to complete, with over 400 workers to complete, there was not one single death.  Despite the fact that I have been there many times, it was the first with my boys.  It was a fun and affordable trip.

 

That said, there are so many things to do in the midwest over a long weekend, things we easily forget about, its easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or fixate only on glamourous trips.  When there are some great things our children have never seen right here in our back yard!  I will add the liesure trip and lack of internet…gives a lot of time to learn about your family, and hold a lot of conversations you may not ave had otherwise.

 

Top 10 places to go in the Black Hills
http://www.midwestliving.com/blog/travel/top-10-things-to-do-with-kids-the-black-hills/

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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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Federal Crop Insurance Gets Failing Grade

July 21, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

At the Center for Rural Affairs, we’ve heard from farmers across the Midwest and Great Plains about the negative impacts of federally subsidized crop insurance for over a decade. A farm safety net is important to help family farmers mitigate risks, but there are real concerns with the current crop insurance program. The best way to begin addressing those concerns is through honest assessment of the crop insurance system.

Toward that end, the Center for Rural Affairs recently released a crop insurance report card, entitled:Promises vs. Performance: A Report Card Evaluating Federal Crop Insurance. Most of the grades awarded are not what parents would hope to see on their own child’s school report, and the accompanying Policy Brief offers further analysis and recommended reforms to improve the performance of the crop insurance system. In overall performance, crop insurance received a failing grade (www.cfra.org/crop-insurance-reform).
Subsidizing the nation’s largest and wealthiest farms on every acre, every year, regardless of crop prices, production or farm profitability, puts America’s natural resources at risk. And, absent reform, crop insurance gives mega-farms an advantage in bidding up land costs, driving their smaller neighbors out of business, and preventing the next generation of farmers from ever getting started.
The impact crop insurance will have on future years of farming practices is significant, making reform of the federally subsidized crop insurance system vitally important to the future of rural and small town America.

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Nebraska Women’s Learning Circle

July 21, 2015 Leave a comment


The Center for Rural Affairs and Women Food and Ag Network are providing an informal, yet highly informative Women Farmer Learning Circle at Prairie Plate Restaurant/Lakehouse Farm in Waverly, NE on August 5, 2015.

 

“Women are invited to join the Learning Circle, whether you’re beginning in farming, interested in becoming a farmer, or already a seasoned farmer.  You’ll hear about resources for financing, land purchase, business planning, cost and value of supporting local growers, marketing, distribution, and more,” says event organizer Sandra Renner with the Center for Rural Affairs.

 

The event begins at 4:30pm with an on-site farm tour. Then participants will hear from speakers while they enjoy a group meal prepared by Prairie Plate, ending with opportunities to network.

 

What: Women Farmer Learning Circle

 

When: Wednesday, August 5, 2015

4:30 p.m.

 

Where: Lakehouse Farm and Prairie Plate Restaurant

10405 Branched Oak Road

Waverly, NE 68462
Since seating is limited, interested participants are asked to register in advance by July 29 to reserve a space. Contact Sandra Renner at sandrar@cfra.org or 402.320.3444 to register or for more information about the event.

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The Beauty of Falls Park, Sioux Falls SD

July 18, 2015 Leave a comment


Falls Park is a beautiful place to walk in, picnic in or just simply sit and enjoy the beauty. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Falls Park is a beautiful place to walk in, picnic in or just simply sit and enjoy the beauty. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Fremont 4-H Fair, 4-H Pie Day 1 and More

July 18, 2015 Leave a comment


Fremont 4-H Fair

It was a busy week last week for many of our county 4-H members as they took part in the Fremont 4-H Fair held at Christensen Field in Fremont. Results of all their activities can be found in a separate article. Details on the results of the static exhibits will be shared next week.

However, I do want to congratulate Brent Miller of Lyons on being crowned King of the Fremont 4-H Fair. This honor comes after a long, varied and successful 4-H career and he is very deserving.

 

The Burt County Fair is coming right up August 7-11, but we’ve got some pre-fair activities to tend to before then.

4-H Pie Day I

The first 4-H pie making day will be held this Thursday, July 16 in Tekamah in the Methodist Church basement beginning at 8:00 a.m. All help is appreciated to make short work of assembling these homemade pies. If you don’t know HOW to make a pie, this is a GREAT place to learn! You don’t have to be a 4-H family to help out, all help is appreciated, so stop by to help out.

4-H Rocket Launch

The 4-H Rocket Launch is set for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 16th at Roger’s Sod Farm just south of Decatur. This is a fun evening of excitement and comradery as everyone wants everyone else to have a successful launch and do what they can to make that happen. 4-H members planning to participate are encouraged to call the Extension office at 402-374-2929 by noon the day of the contest to pre-enter. Spectators are always welcome, just bring a lawn chair.

Clothing and Fashion Show Pre-entries:

All Burt County clothing and fashion show entries are due Monday, July 20th so please get them in the Extension Office so the modeling schedule can be made up and sent out.

Ice Cream Buckets & Sweet Corn Requests:

We are asking all our faithful supporters to donate Ice Cream Buckets with Lids for 4-H Kitchen. The 4-H Kitchen needs of ice cream buckets to store left overs, chopped veggies, etc. during the fair. If you have more buckets (with lids) than you need, please bring them to the Burt County Extension Office and we’ll be happy to get them to the fairgrounds in time for the fair.

We are also looking for donations of sweet corn on Thursday evening or Friday of the fair as a new veggie offered for one day only. If you have extra sweet corn on August 6 or 7th we’d appreciate any donations and we’re always looking for cucumbers, so please keep the 4-H Kitchen in mind! Thank you!

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

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This, That and One Other Thing

July 18, 2015 Leave a comment


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

The State Board of Education is not meeting in July, so this month, I am going to take the opportunity to write about opportunities. As I am working on this article, I, like many of you are shocked and disheartened to hear the news that a 12 year old boy has been accused of murder, here in our heartland! Why is a 12 year old boy out on the streets in the middle of the night? We all have more questions than answers.

One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is access to opportunities. Summer is a time that many children are engaged in summer sports, summer camps, vacation bible school, trips to the library, spending time at a park or a pool, family vacations and many other activities. However, many students do not have access to these common and important summer opportunities. Communities who put kids first should be asking what the kids in their communities are doing this summer. Are there activities and opportunities for all children that are affordable and accessible? Does your community have strategies to reach out to all children? Do you know the percentage of children in your community accessing the library, pool or the park? Do you know the percentage of students in 4H, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts? Enough with the questions, I think you all get the point. We all have a responsibility in ensuring access to opportunities during the school year and during the summer.

Summer is a good time to “power down” and pick up a good book, or at least enjoy a good book in a digital format! Previously, I wrote in an article that reading is not just an activity for the school day or the school year. Teachers across the state will thank you, if you fit time for reading in your child’s summer activities, even if the book is on a phone, tablet or computer!

Throughout the year I wrote about the lack of progress in the reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This week the Senate has actually started debate on reauthorization of this important legislation. It is possible that reauthorization will include elements of accountability that align with the direction Nebraska is taking with our new system of accountability. I am optimistic that my article in August will be about the progress being made by both the Senate and the House to reach compromise to reauthorize!

One other thing—enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

Rachel Wise

Rachel Wise

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.

 

 

 

 

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Danish Alps SRA Grand Opening is August 1st

July 18, 2015 Leave a comment


LINCOLN – Enjoy a day of family fun Aug. 1 at the grand opening of Nebraska’s newest state recreation area – Danish Alps SRA in northeast Nebraska.

Activities scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. include a fishing clinic, kayaking, boat tours, naturalist activities, hayrack rides and fish-shocking demonstrations. A ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. and refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m.

Danish Alps SRA includes 520 acres of park land and 219-acre Kramper Reservoir. The area is owned by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District and the SRA is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The lake is stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and walleye. No live baitfish may be used or possessed. The lake features a handicap-accessible fishing pier, a variety of aquatic habitat features suitable for fish to reproduce and grow rapidly, and several breakwaters to provide excellent angling access.

Boaters will find a ramp that can accommodate two boats at once. There is a 5 mph/no-wake boating restriction on the lake.

The SRA has 73 electrical campsites as well as primitive sites. Danish Alps also has three day use areas, as well as hiking, biking and equestrian trails, picnic shelters, and horse corrals.

Hunting will be allowed in some areas south of 203rd Street from the first Tuesday following Labor Day through the end of the spring turkey season.

Danish Alps SRA is located 1½ miles south and one-half mile east of Hubbard in Dakota County. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park and may be purchased at the park.

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Health Advisory Lifted at Sutherland Reservoir

LINCOLN – A health advisory has been lifted at Sutherland Reservoir near Sutherland.

Earlier this month, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) detected elevated levels of toxic algae at the lake. As a precaution, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission closed the lake to swimming and advised visitors to avoid ingesting water and to keep pets out of the water. All other activities were unaffected.

Testing earlier this week by the DEQ indicated that algae levels had returned to normal levels. As a result, Game and Parks has reopened the swimming beach for public use.

More information on algae levels at lakes statewide can be found on the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality website, deq.state.ne.us.

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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 North 33rd Street
Lincoln, NE 68503
402.471.0641
www.OutdoorNebraska.org

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is responsible for stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife, parklands, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

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Public Meeting in Kearney to Discuss Tree Removal

July 18, 2015 Leave a comment


LINCOLN – A public meeting will be held in Kearney on July 29 to discuss invasive tree removal for upland game bird and other game management on Bassway Strip Wildlife Management Area.

The meeting will be held from 7-8 p.m. at the Environmental Resource Center Building in Yanney Heritage Park, located at 2020 W. 11th St.

Discussion will focus on removal of invasive eastern red cedar trees and grey dogwood to benefit bobwhite quail, deer, turkey and other wildlife species.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 North 33rd Street
Lincoln, NE 68503
402.471.0641
www.OutdoorNebraska.org

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Falls Park, Sioux Falls SD

July 17, 2015 Leave a comment


Every time we go to South Dakota, we stop at Sioux Falls and go to Falls Park. It is beautiful there!

The beauty of Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

The beauty of Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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