Groundbreaking ceremony for new pool

“It is a special day for Lyons,” stated Mayor Andy Fuston at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lyons pool on Tuesday Many people came to the ceremony, including Lyons-Decatur Northeast elementary students. “Lyons is a community on the move, embracing the future,” Mayor Fuston continued. “This goes to show Lyons can accomplish anything it wants to.

The new pool has been a work in progress for quite some time, including a town hall meeting held approximately a year ago. An estimated crowd of 40 citizens attended the town hall meeting, very enthusiastic about the prospect of a new pool. A 2.1 million dollar bond was then voted on and passed by the citizens of Lyons, which put the wheels in motion for construction of a new pool.

“I am so proud of the community. 2.1 million is a lot to commit to. We (Lyons) don’t back down from adversity or challenges,” Mayor Fuston said. “We are building our future, making Lyons a better place to work, live and play. Let’s get started.”

City Council members Roger Andersen, Lana Minton, Allen Steinmeyer and Charlie Wheaton were also on hand to share in the special day. “I use to swim here back in the day. There is a date on the old pool, 1933. I have been on the city council for over ten years. This project was a long time coming,” Lana stated. “A pool brings people into the community. Thanks for coming out.”

Roger Andersen also addressed the crowd. “I was on the council in the 70’s and 80’s and the old pool was faulty at that time. I am glad we voted to put the new pool in,” Roger said.

Kevin Prior of Olsson Associates was also at the ceremony. He introduced many of the other people that will be involved in constructing the new pool. Eriksen Construction of  and Jensen’s Plumbing of Lyons and Dick’s Electric of Blair are among those involved in building the pool.

Kevin asked if anyone from the crowd wished to speak. Keyton Kampa, one of the students in attendance, took the microphone. “The community survived, thank you.”

The event concluded with the mayor and city council, shovels in hand, breaking the ground where the pool will be.

Two students, Brennan Ferguson and Chad Christoffersen, also broke the ground with the mayor and Joel Ries, one of the many individuals constructing the new pool.

The new pool will be opened to the public in the summer of 2014.

City Council member Roger Andersen, Mayor Andy Fuston, City Council member Lana Minton, City Council President Allen Steinmeyer and City Council Member Charlie Wheaton break ground for the new pool.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub

Members of the community at the groundbreaking for the new pool.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub

Mayor Andy Fuston, Brennan Ferguson, Chad Christoffersen and Joel Ries breaking ground for the new pool.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

When asked who was excited about a new pool, the kids screamed and raised their hands!
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

Keyton Kampa addressing the crowd.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

Kevin Prior of Olsson and Associates addressing the crowd.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

Council member Lana Minton speaks to the crowd at the groundbreaking.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

Council Member Roger Andersen shares his thoughts on the new pool at the groundbreaking.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

Mayor Andy Fuston begins the groundbreaking ceremony, saying it is a special day for Lyons.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

When Nicholas Tolle was asked if he was excited about the new pool, he said “Yes because I get to come every day!”
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub.

It is a special day for Lyons!

Mayor Andy Fuston, city council members, and many of the people from the companies building the new pool were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Lyons pool. As Mayor Andy Fuston said, “It is a special day for Lyons.”

Stay tuned to Kat Country Hub for the complete story coming soon, along with a gallery of photos of this special event for the community of Lyons.

Council member Roger Andersen, Mayor Andy Fuston, council member Lana Minton, Council President Allen Steinmeyer and council member Charlie Wheaton during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lyons pool held today, 8-20-13.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Kat Country Hub

Camron Brummond’s survival story

Life can change in the blink of an eye. June 15, 2008, Camron Brummond and his family of Bancroft had their lives change forever.

Camron, who was 18 and had just graduated in May, was driving to church when the left tire broke off of the axle. “He was running late, so speed may have been a factor as well,” stated his mother, Jolene Brummond. His vehicle left the road, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Camron was transported to the hospital in Winnebago. “He was then taken by life flight to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City. He didn’t have any broken bones. He right lung was punctured and his spleen was damaged,” Jolene said. But, that wasn’t the worst of his injuries. “He sustained a traumatic brain injury and wasn’t guaranteed to live. The first three days were very crucial,” Jolene stated.

If he survived, the road ahead was going to be very long and challenging. “Camron was at Mercy for ten days. He was then transported to the Madonna Hospital in Lincoln. He was there for two months,” Jolene said. “ After he completed extensive physical and occupational therapy at Madonna, he then relocated to Quality Living in Omaha, where he also received the same types of therapy, for ten months.

Camron was very determined, even while semi-comatose. “He would sit in his wheel chair and do leg extensions. It was like he knew he had to move to get better,” Jolene stated. Once he was completely out of his coma, Camron had his own saying, “Go big or go home.”

Camron’s family was at his side through the entire recovery process. “I was there most of the time until I had to go back to school in August (she is a teacher). His grandmother was there during the week, then I would go on weekends,” Jolene said. Camron also had many visitors along with a big family/friend support group.

The accident took a toll on the family. Camron’s parents, siblings and other family members dealt with the accident in their own way. “I think in situations like this you go into shock at first. I turned to my faith and my family and friends,” Jolene stated. “My husband turned to his work. I don’t mean he wasn’t suffering, he was. A great deal.” There are also two other children in the family. “I worried about them as most of the attention at the time was on Camron. I feel they handled it the best they knew how,” Jolene said.

Life doesn’t come with a book of instructions. “There isn’t a script on how to handle a situation like this. You cope and try to keep it together,” Jolene stated.

Camron had outpatient therapy for four months after his release from Quality Living. “He is currently doing a therapy called Nuerofield therapy. It is a non-invasive brain stimulation to wake up the injured areas in the brain in hopes it will form new pathways,” Jolene said.

He continues to have ataxia, tremors, on his right side. “His speech has been affected, but that doesn’t stop his from talking. He is legible though,” Jolene stated. He also still gets a little off balance. “His walking has greatly improved and he has even ran in two 5k”s,” Jolene stated.

Camron is beginning his fourth year of college at Wayne State. He was accepted into the STRIDE program. “He has a tutor who writes for him and he gets some extra time to take his exams,” Jolene said. “His processing is a bit slower due to the injury.”

All brain injuries are different, making the recovery process different also. “All in all, I will have to say, Camron is a miracle. The doctors have been amazed a the progress he has made. He really should be in a wheel chair,” Jolene stated.

Camron wouldn’t have any part of that. “I am where I am today because of the Lord and all he has done for me,” Camron said. Faith saw the family through a horrible tragedy. “I give all the credit to God for my miraculous recovery. Doctors are wonderful people and we all thank God for them,” Camron stated. “Man is limited in what he can do, but God is not.”

Camron Brummond

Voters approve Keno in Lyons

The citizens of Lyons approved Keno in Lyons with 235 in favor and 60 voters against. Mike Fillipi, owner of the Branding Iron in Lyons, had previously approached the city council, to have Keno at his establishment. Mail-in ballots were then sent out to the citizens of Lyons from the county to return to be returned by August 13th. More details to follow. Stay tuned to Kat Country Hub.

Groundbreaking ceremony set for new Lyons Pool

A Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lyons pool will be Tuesday, August 20th, 12:30 p.m. at the location of the current pool. The new pool will be completed, opening for everyone’s enjoyment,

The old pool, here, has served the community for 80 years. The summer of 2014, the community will be treated to a new pool.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor Kat Country Hub.

next summer, 2014. Everyone is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony!

Playing in the park

It might be a bit of a dreary, damp day, but that didn’t keep people from going to the park and having fun!

Fun in the Lyons park!
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor Kat Country Hub.

Morgan reads at Lyons Library

“I have been writing for a long time, but I just put it in a drawer until it began nagging at me,” stated Chris Morgan, author of “Grandma’s Bib Blue Apron,” her first publicized book.

Chris was at the Lyons Public Library on Tues., Aug. 13^th to read her book to the 19 youngsters in attendance. The book is based on her own grandmother, who enjoyed baking, and taught Chris her many tricks and secrets she had developed over the years, with the instructions that she could not divulge any of them to anyone.

Chris also wore the big blue apron that was her grandma’s while she was reading to the children. “The apron is clean, but stained from Grandma’s cooking,” Chris said.

She asked the children many questions in relation to cooking, such as “What is your favorite pie?” There were many replies, such as apple, pumpkin, peach and chocolate. The children also learned that a flub is a mistake.

Chris has completed two more books in the Grandma series she is hoping to have published soon. She is also exploring other topics she would like to write about. “I am interested in science fiction. I would also like to write about bullying. I was bullied for 30 years by someone,” Chris stated.

Pick up a copy and read about Grandma’s Big Blue Apron today!

Enjoying Chris Morgan’s reading of her book, Grandma’s Big Blue Apron, is, front from left, Hunter Jensen, Jaylon Steinmeyer, Riley Steinmeyer, Hope Roscoe, Katelyn Raabe (in Chris’ lap), Zayden Davis, Zander Davis, Raygen Olson and Karsen Olsen. Second row from left, Sydney Olsen, Aubrey Andersen, Masen Olsen, Paul Roscoe, Treyton Frahm, (author’s daughter), Chris, Jake Christiansen, Bennett Andersen, Braxton Watson and Skiler Watson.

101st Burt County Fair a success!

“I thought the 2013 fair was EXCELLENT,” stated Mary Loftis, UNL Extension Agent-Burt County.

John Wilson, Burt County Extension Educator, agreed with Mary, and had this to add, “I think the cooler weather made it a lot more enjoyable for fairgoers.”

This was John Wilson’s 36^th Burt County Fair, and 34^th for Mary Loftis.

Burt County Fair pictures, courtesy of Mary Loftis.

Mary and John are very involved in many aspects of the fair, each with different responsibilities.

Mary hires all of the 4-H judges, except livestock. “I oversee the cat, dog, rabbit and companion animal shows. I help the 4-H members decide which fair class fits their exhibit best as they pre-enter in the Extension office,” Mary said. She also takes hundreds of pictures during activities throughout the year that are displayed on posters in the 4-H building to raise awareness of the year round activities and the 4-H members who participate in them. “I am the walking, talking 4-H Kiosk, meaning that I share information about the 4-H program at every turn. If I don’t know an answer, I’ll find it for you,” Mary stated.

John works with the swine, meat goat, sheep beef and horse shows. “Then help out wherever else I’m needed. I also work closely with the shooting sports contests before and during the fair,” John said.

Both agree that the 101^st Burt County Fair was well attended. “I work primarily with the livestock and horse shows. I think the attendance was as good or better than last year,” John stated.

“The 4-H Fashion Show, awards and coronation had great attendance as did the small animal shows. The annual fair parade was amazing with all of the people involved and lining the streets. Activities on the fairgrounds were also well attended, such as the shows in the new fair pavilion and in the grandstand area,” Mary said.

With their many years of service to the Burt County Fair, they also have observed the many changes that have occurred. “I have to say we have fewer 4-H members, but the quality of the 4-H members remains exceptionally high and I truly enjoy working with each of them and seeing them grow in the program,” Mary stated.

John has noticed a change over the last three years with the variety and entertainment at the fair. “It is probably one of the biggest improvements in the fair. In the livestock area, our numbers aren’t close to what they were 20, 30 or 40 years ago. A lot of that deals with the demographics of the county. There aren’t nearly as many farm families out there. Our livestock numbers would be lower if it wasn’t for some farm families reaching out to their friends and neighbors in town and letting the “city kids” keep animals on the “farm kid’s farms,” John said. Another big change he has seen is the variety of projects offered to potential 4-H’ers.

There are many people involved in making the Burt County Fair a success from one year to the next. “The Burt County Fair Entertainment Committee has really coordinated and arranged for a lot of these things and the physical improvements as well as funding for much of the entertainment is a direct result of the fundraising efforts of the Burt County Fair Foundation,” John stated.

To volunteer to help with the 4-H program or to enroll in 4-H please call UNL Extension in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

Beautiful sunrise begins LDNE school year

Sunrise on the first school day for LDNE.
Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor Kat Country Hub