Happenings at Oakland Heights

May 2, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News

By Nancy Silvey Activity Director

 

May is here and what a fun month we have planned for this month during National Nursing Home week. On Monday May 4th is our Volunteer Ex. Meeting at 2:30pm. On Friday May 8th at 2:30 pm is a 15 year Employee Anniversary Party for Betty Hasenkamp.

Church Service for May 3rd at 2:30 pm will be given by the First Baptist Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Wednesday May 6th at 1:00 pm is Communion with Pastor Hoden.

Activities for the week of May 4th to May 9th , are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Sing a Long, Game Day, Reading Group, Bingo w/LCW, Bible Fellowship, Reading the Local Paper, Word Games, Let’s Play Ball, Friday Bingo, and Saturday morning movie.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Donnie Baldwin, Patty Miller, Mary Donavon, Anne Anderson, Mary Alice Pearson, Pat Anderson, Di Ruwe, Judee Dix, Dani Moseman, Seth Anderson, Lola Bridgeford, Nadine Anderson, and Sly Rouse.

Guest signing in this past week were; Jane Neitzke and Chuck and Celia Neitzke to see Wilma Neitzke.

Enjoying the Funny Hat Party at Oakland Heights were residents Lamae Johnson and on the right is Lois Anderson. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights

Enjoying the Funny Hat Party at Oakland Heights were residents Lamae Johnson and on the right is Lois Anderson. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights

The staff at Oakland Heights also had a good time dressing for the Funny Hat Party. Pictured are back row left to right Connie Schneekloth, Nancy Silvey, front row Donna Denton, Betty Hasenkamp, Lori Peterson and Jill Brink. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights.

The staff at Oakland Heights also had a good time dressing for the Funny Hat Party. Pictured are back row left to right Connie Schneekloth, Nancy Silvey, front row Donna Denton, Betty Hasenkamp, Lori Peterson and Jill Brink.
Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights.

 

 

 

 

 

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Poetry by Diana Schulzkump

April 30, 2015 Leave a comment


By Diana Schulzkump

The angry clouds began to spin.
And the heavy fog drifted in.
All alone he sat on a cliff
And wondered why is life was adrift
 
All he ever wanted was someone to love.
Every night he prayed to the Lord above.
Suddenly he say her standing in the rain,
And he knew his life would never be the same

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

April 28, 2015 Leave a comment


*The Senior Center has refurbished Memorial Flowers of all types for sale. Anyone who is looking for reasonably priced flowers to put on your loved ones grave, stop in and see what we have available.

* 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. April 29: Melody chimers will play at 2:30 at the Wisner Care Center. Bingo will be played at 2:00.

Thurs. April 30: Rolls and coffee served from 9 a.m. until noon. Tai Chi class at 9:30 and walking ex class at 10:30. There will be a pitch tournament at 1:30.

Fri. May 1: Sign up to play in the hand and foot or pinochle tournament at 1:30; St. Joseph Retirement Community will provide the snack at 3:30.

Mon. May 4: There is potluck today, bring your food and join us for dinner. We will play cards after lunch.

Tues. May 5: The Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30.

Wed. May 6: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00. Join us for coffee at 10:00. Would you like to play in the golf game at 1:30?

 

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

April 24, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News

By Nancy Silvey Activity Director

It was nice to see all of the beautiful Prom outfits that the OC students wore last Saturday the residents enjoy seeing the students all dressed up. The winners of the $25.00 drawing for the seniors that signed in Saturday night are Ashleigh Carr and Bryce Uhing. Next week is the Resident Council Meeting at 2:30 pm on Monday April 27th , next week we is also the beginning of the month of May so on Tuesday April 28th at 2:30 pm we will be making May Baskets for the Assisted Living residents.

Church Service for April 26th at 2:30 pm will be given by the Salem Covenant Church with a luncheon served afterwards.

Activities for the week of April 27th to May 2nd , are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Sing a Long, Crafts, Bingo w/VFW Aux., Bible Fellowship, Reading the Local Paper, Word Games, Let’s Play Ball, Friday Bingo, and Saturday morning movie.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Bonnie Fleischman, Donnie Baldwin, Patty Miller, Mary Donavon, Anne Anderson, Mary Alice Pearson, Pat Anderson, Dani Moseman, Seth Anderson, Lola Bridgeford, Nadine Anderson, and Sly Rouse.

Guest signing in this past week were; Kristie Peters to see Dale and Jeanette Johnson.

 

 

 

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

April 22, 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.

*Come and join us Sunday, April 12 for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, there will be spaghetti with red meat sauce or white sauce, garlic bread, lettuce or jello salad and a variety of home-made desserts. Come and enjoy the good food.

 

Weekly Activities:

Wed. April 22: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00. There will be chicken foot dominoes at 1:30 unless there is another game or card game you would like to play.

Thurs. April 23: Rolls and coffee served from 9 a.m. until noon. Tai Chi class at 9:30 and walking ex class at 10:30. There will be a pitch tournament at 1:30.

Fri. April 24: Sign up to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.

Mon. April 27: There will be a pitch tournament at 1:30. Remember to sign up to eat dinner tomorrow; we will be serving liver and onions or a hamburger patty with all the trimmings.

Tues. April 28: The Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Plan to eat dinner with us today. There will be free blood pressure screenings starting at 11:30 a.m. and a speaker at 12:20. Cards will be played after the dishes are done.

Wed. April 29: Melody chimers will play at 2:30 at the Wisner Care Center. Bingo will be played at 2:00.

 

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Poem by Diana Schulzkump

April 21, 2015 Leave a comment


Below is a poem written by Diana Schulzkump. In a conversation her and I had about writing, she revealed she has enjoyed writing poetry over the years. She has never shared her passion until now. I asked for permission to publish her poems and she granted it to me. Below is the first poem she submitted for publication. I hope you enjoy her writing as much as I do.

HOMESTEAD

 The old homestead stands lost and forlorn.

The once beautiful house is tired and worn.

The magnificent big barn is empty and bare.

All the out buildings are falling in despair.

Once where families used to gather and play,

Now there’s just another vacant day.

The buildings soon to be bulldozed down,

Not a trace of the past to be found,

The pastures will remain in all their glory.

Only now wild flowers and native grasses tell the story.

The government bought this farm, you see.

It will never be the same to me.

When they added it to Boyer Chute and Desoto Bend,

I feel like the mainstay of our heritage came to an end.

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Apply Crabgrass Preventors Now

April 19, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Wilson, Extension Educator

Usually we start talking about crabgrass preventers now, but are telling people to wait several weeks before applying them. The warm weather and dry conditions –  until about a week ago – have warmed soils faster than normal this spring.

As of April 1, soil temperatures greater than 50F at a 4 inch depth were common across the state. Soil temperatures could be even higher depending on the soil type, moisture in the soil, sun exposure, and distance to a heat sink like a sidewalk, driveway, or street.

Crabgrass will germinate when soil temperatures are sustained between 55 and 60F. So preemergence herbicides for crabgrass should be applied soon. You should delay applying preemergence products on areas that winterkilled and will need to be reseeded or on any newly seeded areas. However, preemergence products such as Tupersan (siduron) or Tenacity (mesotrione) are safe on new seeding.

Avoid using preemergence products that are combined with fertilizer. Although most preemergence products available to homeowners contain nitrogen fertilizer, the spring flush of growth that occurs naturally in early April doesn’t need encouragement from extra fertilizer. It is much easier to apply a standalone preemergence product now and a standalone fertilizer in early May than to have to mow twice a week during April.

Weed-n-feed preemergence products aren’t always as convenient as they may seem. Standalone preemergence products can be found at most garden centers. If a combination preemergence and fertilizer product has to be used, then use the product with the lowest nitrogen content. This will be the product with the smallest first number of the three on a fertilizer bag, or the highest levels of a  slow release form of nitrogen. Another advantage of a standalone preemergence is that you can treat only problem areas and skip areas that don’t have a history of crabgrass saving you money.

Since we’ve mentioned fertilization, let’s quickly recap our recommendations for fertilizing cool season turf grasses such as bluegrass or fescue. I recommend and fertilize my own lawn with a small amount, maybe a half pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet or turf, at four times throughout the growing season. The best way to remember these is to fertilize by the holidays… Arbor Day or May Day (late April to early May), Memorial Day (late May), Labor Day (early September), and Halloween (late October).

The advantage of spreading out the fertilizer applications and waiting for the first application until around the first of May is this avoids the burst of growth that follows a heavy application of fertilizer. While rapid growth in the spring seems like the sign of a healthy lawn, it can actually set the lawn up for more problems in mid-summer.

Some homeowners are not willing to fertilize four times, they only want to fertilize twice… once in the spring and once in the fall. In this situation they will still want to make their first application around May 1 and wait until Halloween for the second application.

The reason this gets trickier is turf often needs a little fertilizer in early September to help recover if it has been a particularly stressful summer, but the late October application is still the most important in the fall. If we do have a particularly stressful summer on lawns, you may be able to get by with one application this spring, but still need to split the fall application, early September and late October.

For more information on lawn care, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.

John Wilson

John Wilson

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Women Caring for the Land Workshop

April 19, 2015 Leave a comment


Lyons, NE – Women who own or manage farm or ranch land in Cedar and surrounding counties in Northeast Nebraska are invited to participate in a  Women Caring for the Land discussion about soil health, farm conservation options, and available resources. The free program will take place on Monday, May 4 at St. James Marketplace, 89039 570th Ave, St. James, NE.

 

“Women landowners now own or co-own approximately half of Midwest and Great Plains farm and ranch land, and often want to do more to conserve their land and resources. However, many are unsure exactly how to reach their conservation goals and what resources are available to help them. Women Caring for the Land can help,” said Virginia Meyer, with the Center for Rural Affairs.

 

According to Meyer, Women Caring for the Land offers a peer-to-peer, informal discussion format to allow women landowners to talk about their individual land stewardship goals, facilitated by women conservation experts who can share resources available such as USDA conservation programs, state loans, and other tools.

 

The meeting will begin with registration, coffee and resource sharing at 8:30 a.m.  A free lunch will be provided, and during an afternoon field tour participants will travel to a nearby location to observe soil characteristics and conservation practices. The tests will measure for soil structure and stability and infiltration.

 

Meyer suggests participants wear appropriate clothing and footwear/attire as walking a short distance will be required for the field tour.  The group will return to the Marketplace for dessert and wrap-up, with the meeting ending by 3 p.m.

 

Maintaining healthy soil is the key to productivity and environmental health for farmland. Women landowners who attend this meeting will learn to assess and improve the health of their soils through cover crops, no-till and strip-till, and other conservation practices.

 

Meyer also pointed out that all interested women are welcome to these discussions, including owners, operators and inheritors of farmland, regardless of their degree of knowledge regarding conservation.

 

Event Location Details:

Monday, May 4, 2015

8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. James Marketplace

89039 570th Ave, St. James, NE.

 

To ensure enough food is provided, interested participants should  RSVP by May 1 to Virginia Meyer at the Center for Rural Affairs – (402) 687-2100 or virginiam@cfra.org. For more information about this program, visit www.womencaringfortheland.org or call 641-430-2540.

 

This session of Women Caring for the Land is sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs in partnership with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The series is funded by a grant from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant Program.

 

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4-H Public Speaking Contest a Great Success!!

April 19, 2015 Leave a comment


4-H Public Speaking Contest a GREAT Success!

Twenty five Burt County 4-H members conquered one of the highest listed personal fears, the fear of public speaking. They did it by taking part in one or more events during the Burt County 4-H Public Speaking Contest last Monday, April 6th. They didn’t just conquer any fears they might have, they made it look easy!

The most non-threatening contest is the Public Service Announcement or PSA contest which is a 60 second 4-H commercial given from the back of the room. Lucas Niewohner and his sister Hayley Niewohner of Tekamah tried out this contest for the first time by using the First Timer Pre-written Script. They both received blue ribbons for their efforts.

In the Original Script PSA Division, Paul Roscoe of Lyons took home champion honors in the Junior Division (ages 8-10). Madison Enstrom of Shawnee, KS used the telephone to call in her PSA to participate in the contest for the first time. She received reserve champion honors as well as winning the Pork Award in the Junior Division. Also in the Junior Division Caleb and Andrew Schlichting, both of Lyons received blue ribbons on their PSAs.

In the Intermediate PSA Division (ages 11-13) Cody Bachtell of Tekamah won champion honors while Faith Roscoe of Lyons earned Reserve Champion honors. Gavin Enstrom also called in his PSA via the telephone from Kansas to earn a purple ribbon and the pork award.

The Senior Division of the PSA contest was lonely with only Michael Bracht of West Point participating. However he handled it well as this was his first contest experience and he received champion honors.

 

The 4-H Speech Contest had participants moving to the front of the room to share their information with the group.

The 4-H Clover Kids (ages 5-7) got the chance to try out the contest by doing a “show and tell.”

Karley Eriksen of Craig fearlessly started out the contest by sharing her love of history and her trip to Washington D. C. with pictures and a book of the presidents.

Hope Roscoe of Lyons shared a postcard photo of her favorite animal in Florida, the Manatee. Veona Hladky of Tekamah explained how to make an alcohol ink decorated tile for a 4-H project.  Linden Anderson of Lyons proved she was ready to get in the ring with her pigs when she’s old enough during her show and tell titled “Ready to Show.”

Elijah Schlichting of Lyons explained how to make a No Sew Pillow like he did at Clover Kid Camp last summer. Tate Penke of Craig showed his “super hero” collection and explained what special powers each of them had while looking like a superhero himself. Little brother Ty Penke (age 5) also wore a Spiderman costume and showed how well his Spiderman toy could do the splits!

If you thought this contest sounded like fun, you would be right!

 

The Junior Division speech competition (ages 8-10) becomes a little more serious, but Arianne Brokaw started out her speech by singing “Arianne Had a Farm” to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” They raise chickens and get 5 eggs a day, so she said they can’t afford to break any of them if you want to sell them! She received the big purple champion ribbon for her efforts.

Elise Anderson of Lyons earned the Reserve Champion ribbon for humorously explaining about their family 4-H baking mishaps.

Paul Roscoe of Lyons received a purple for his speech “All about Pottery,” while Muriel Brokaw of Lyons discussed her pets: Chester, Henry and Boo and the chores she does to care for them. She also received a purple ribbon for her speech.

Andrew Schlichting of Lyons highlighted his 4-H year which included rockets, rabbits, robots and much more! He received a blue ribbon.

Caleb Schlichting also of Lyons discussed the importance of farming and explained there are 2.2 million farms in the United States. He received a blue ribbon.

John Roscoe of Lyons shared step by step directions on how to make a metal punch decoration including the sound effects of him using a hammer: “Bam! Ouch! Bam! Ouch!” He also received a blue ribbon.

In the Intermediate Division – ages 11-13 Faith Roscoe of Lyons received a purple ribbon and champion honors for her speech on Mighty Mini’s, their miniature horses. Brayden Anderson of Lyons won the reserve champion ribbon as well as the pork award for his speech relating his 4-H experiences to baseball. Rayna Hladky of Tekamah received a blue ribbon for her informative speech comparing organic to conventional grown foods.

In the Senior Division – ages 14-18 Amelia Schlichting of Lyons went home with champion honors for her speech on the history of 4-H. Michael Bracht of West Point earned a blue ribbon for his speech on his 4-H robotics program experiences and competition. Wrapping up the senior division was Ellie Glup of Tekamah with her speech on “The Do’s and Don’ts of 4-H Speech” She received a blue ribbon and the pork award.

 

The continued growth of this activity is really exciting. It’s fun to think what great futures these 4-H members will have, thanks at least in part as a result of their experiences in the 4-H public speaking program.

 

4-H Favorite Foods Contest:

Don’t forget! The Burt County 4-H Favorite Foods Day Contest is set for this Saturday, April 18th at the Craig Fire Hall. The contest will begin at 10:00 a.m. with set-up available at 9:45 a.m. Call the Nebraska Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 to register by noon Friday, April 17th. Also call if you have any questions about the contest!

 

 

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

All smiles after participating in the 4-H Public Service Announcement Contest were: Faith Roscoe, Paul Roscoe, Michael Bracht, Caleb Schlichting, Cody Bachtell, Andrew Schlichting, Lucas Niewohner and Hayley Niewohner. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

All smiles after participating in the 4-H Public Service Announcement Contest were: Faith Roscoe, Paul Roscoe, Michael Bracht, Caleb Schlichting, Cody Bachtell, Andrew Schlichting, Lucas Niewohner and Hayley Niewohner.
Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.

 

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Creating Jobs and Self Sufficiency Through Self-Employment

April 17, 2015 Leave a comment


By Jeff Reynolds, jeffr@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs 

Microenterprise and microfinance have the power to empower people and transform lives. The concept was pioneered in 1976 by Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The bank was established for the purpose of making small loans to the poor − predominantly women – to help them obtain economic self-sufficiency.
The fundamental principle behind the Grameen Bank is that credit is a human right. This strategy was highly effective as the bank grew from 15,000 borrowers in 1980 to 7.67 million at the end of 2008. An astounding 97% of the 9.4 million Grameen Bank members today are women.
A Center for Rural Affairs’ study in the 1980s demonstrated high rates of self-employment in rural areas, but no economic development strategies to help in this area. Influenced by Yunus and Grameen, the Center created the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project in 1990 to fulfill the need uncovered by that research (www.cfra.org/reap).
Microenterprise development recognizes the fundamental ability of people to apply individual talents, creativity and hard work to better their lives. Microenterprise programs build on the unique ideas and skills of entrepreneurs by providing business assistance through micro-credit, one-on-one counseling, and specialized training to small businesses employing 10 people or fewer.
Microenterprises often struggle to qualify for traditional lending services. Microenterprise Development Organizations like the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project create jobs, build assets and overcome barriers of income and discrimination, all through small business development.

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