Neihardt Center Welcomes New Board Member

July 30, 2015 Leave a comment


The Neihardt Foundation welcomes Pat Browning as a new board member. Pat and her husband, John, live on a farm south of Bancroft, where over the years they raised five children, cattle and generations of dogs and cats. Pat received an Education Specialist degree from Wayne State College, where she then taught psychology.

Earlier in her career she worked as a teacher/counselor at Walthill, where she had “the opportunity to learn more about Native American culture.” Pat first became acquaint- ed with the work of John G. Neihardt in the early 1970s through her neighbor, Irene Hammel. “Irene and my father-in-law remembered Neihardt as a common sight on the street in Bancroft, and I later saw old films showing him in front of the bank.”

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Sculpture Project for Neihardt Center Moves Forward

July 30, 2015 Leave a comment


The Neihardt Foundation is pleased to announce artist Herb Mignery has begun work on the bronze sculpture of John G. Neihardt and Nicholas Black Elk. The larger-than-life sculpture will grace the grounds of the Neihardt Site upon completion.

Mignery cast his first bronze in 1973, and has executed numerous works and monuments over the years, with each sculpture completing a piece of a story of life in the West.

The Board would like to thank the family of Maxine Kessinger for their generous donation that has helped the Foundation reach this goal.

Donations are still being accepted for the pouring of the finished bronze.

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Dixon is August Artist of the Month

July 29, 2015 Leave a comment


The featured Artist of the Month for August is Natalie Dixon, a senior at Oakland-Craig high school.

In April, Natalie participated in the Nebraska Young Artist Awards Day at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Come visit her at the Swedish Heritage Center, 301 N Charde Ave in Oakland, August 2, 2015, 11:00-1:00

Natalie Dixon is the August Artist of the month. Photo courtesy of Betty Dixon.

Natalie Dixon is the August Artist of the month. Photo courtesy of Betty Dixon.

p.m.

A Mexican fiesta bar will be available. For more information, contact Julie Johnson at 402-685-5652.

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Village of Decatur Special Meeting Minutes

July 29, 2015 Leave a comment


Village Board of Decatur                                                                                

Special Board Meeting
July 24, 2015

3 P.M.

The Board of the Village of Decatur met in special session at 3 P.M. at the Community Center on July 24, 2015. The guests signing in were Don Warren, Nina Mussack, Dale Wolf, Jaime Bacon, Jim Nicola, Susan Houck

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kellogg.

Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-Absent, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes.

Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:

Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-Absent, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes Approval and/or correction and suspended reading of the previous month’s minutes:

Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-Absent, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes

Excusing Board members not attending:
Bolln made a motion to excuse Richards 2nd Tolby Roll call Kellogg- yes, Wolf- yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1) Ordinance 7/15 Vacating portion of Twelfth Street, from the center thereof, adjacent to and abutting Lots 11 through 15, inclusive, Block 41. Kellogg stated Village Clerk, would you please read the Ordinance 7/15. Clerk read Ordinance 7/15.

ORDINANCE NO. 7/15

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING PORTIONS OF TWELFTH STREET LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF DECATUR, NEBRASKA, SHALL BE VACATED: THAT PORTION, FROM THE CENTER THEREOF, ADJACENT TO AND ABUTTING LOTS 11 THROUGH 15, INCLUSIVE, BLOCK 41; PROVIDING THAT PORTION OF SUCH STREET SHALL REVERT TO THE OWNERS OF THE ABUTTING REAL ESTATE AND BECOME A PART OF SUCH PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR A PRECEDURE BY WHICH SPECIAL DAMAGES TO ABUTTING PROPERTY OWENERS SHALL BE ASCERTAINED; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND SECTIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

WHEREAS request has been made that the Village vacate the following portions of Twelfth Street: That portion of Twelfth Street, from the center thereof, adjacent to and abutting Lots 11 through 15, inclusive, Block 41;

 

WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees believes it is in the best interests of the Village to vacate the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street; and

 

WHEREAS the owners of the abutting real estate have requested and consented to the vacating of the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street, waive their right of access to their respective properties via the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street, and waive a determination and payment of any special damages they may suffer by the vacating of the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF DECATUR, NEBRASKA:

 

Section 1. The following portions of Twelfth Street located within the Village of Decatur, Nebraska, shall be vacated: That portion of Twelfth Street, from the center thereof, adjacent to and abutting Lots 11 through 15, inclusive, Block 41.

            Section 2. Title to the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street shall revert to the owners of the abutting real estate and become a part of such property.

 

Section 3. No method or procedure for ascertaining special damage to abutting property owners due to the vacating of the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street shall be established as contemplated in section 92.043 of the Code of Decatur, as each and every abutting property owner has requested the vacation and acknowledges that he/she/it suffers no damages due to the of the foregoing portions of Twelfth Street.

 

Section 4. Notwithstanding the terms and provisions of this Ordinance, the Village shall retain the right to maintain, operate, repair, and renew public utilities existing at the time title to the abutting property is vacated, and there is reserved to the Village, and public utilities, and any cable television systems the right to maintain, repair, renew, and operate water mains, gas mains, pole lines, conduits, electrical transmission lines, sound and signal transmission lines, and other similar services and equipment and appurtenances, including lateral connections or branch lines, above, on, or below the surface of the ground that are existing as valid easements at the time title to the abutting property is vacated for the purposes of serving the general public or the abutting properties and to enter upon the premises to accomplish such purposes at any and all reasonable times. See Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 17-558 (Reissue 2012).

 

Section 5. Any other ordinance or section passed and approved prior to the passage, approval, and publication or posting of this Ordinance and in conflict with its provisions is hereby repealed.

 

Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval, and publication or posting as required by law.

 

Passed and approved this 24th day of July, 2015.

 

Loretta Kellogg Chairperson

Ann M Chytka Village Clerk

 

Richards came in while Ordinance 7/15 was being read. Kellogg stated if there any questions-Tolby asked if this was the property where there is something still built on it she asked if there were any issues with the electricity. Clerk replied yes that is the property and no issues with electric. Bolln stated “I would like to introduce Ordinance #7/15”. 2nd Richards roll call Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Bolln-yes, Richards-yes. Bolln moved for final passage on Ordinance #7/15 2nd Richards Kellogg stated “shall Ordinance #7/15 be passed and adopted? ” Roll Call- Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Bolln-yes, Richards-yes Kellogg stated Ordinance #7/15 has been passed by a majority of all members of Council. The Ordinance was signed by Kellogg Chairperson and Chytka Village Clerk a seal was placed on Ordinance 7/15.
2) Employee Health Insurance- Bids were received from Burt County Insurance and KH Insurance.

Jaime with Burt County Insurance came to the table the different policies were discussed. There was discussions about the different deductibles. Kellogg stated they are looking for a higher deductible. Our life insurance is with USAble and costs 8.50 per month per each employee will continue. Wolf made a motion to go with plan PB-T Silver with $1,000 deductible with United Health Care. 2nd Bolln Roll call Tolby-yes, Richards-yes, Kellogg-yes, Wolf-yes, Bolln-yes.
MOTION TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING

 

 

Bolln 2nd Richards

 

 

ADJOURNMENT TIME 3:30 P.M.                                                            ____________________________

Chairman

____________________________
Village Clerk

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A Minute with Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston

July 29, 2015 Leave a comment


Happy Hot July everyone! I hope everyone is staying as cool as possible. I know if you’ve been going to the pool, you’ve been able to do that. It has been a great first season. Attendance is up and the smiles are large. I know there have been some hiccups this season but we are working through those. We expected some growing pains with all the new things to do down there. We have been working on being consistent with rules and regulations that are posted. We are figuring out the best practice with the life guard stands; balancing swimmer and life guard safety. It is all feedback we appreciate because we hadn’t been through it yet with this pool. The season is winding down and as we get closer to school starting our pool hours are going to be more limited. Lifeguards are also going back to school and their availability will dictate how long and how often the pool will remain open the last two weeks of August.   Any changes to the schedule will be posted at the pool.

The community center is, for all intensive purpose, completed. We continue to wait on the exterior signage to be installed. The council will be setting an open house/dedication date. The council approved another building permit to Three Rivers Housing Development Corp for a new ranch house with a basement at the corner of 5th and Pearl. Three Rivers has been a fantastic community partner and we look forward to this property being developed along with future projects they are involved with. We also have a new house being built on the north side of town. People are investing in Lyons. It is good for our school system and good for the community. We continue to have issues with vehicles driving faster than the posted speed limit, especially on Diamond Street and Main Street. Main Street, particularly as you are coming into town from the west, is even a bigger concern now that we have the pool open and lots of kids out and about in that area. The council is looking at different options because the speed limit signs aren’t working very well. We are looking at possibly putting in speed bumps, writing more tickets for speeding or adding additional signage/signaling to those areas. We would prefer people just slow down and then we wouldn’t have to do any of these things but until that happens, we will need to do something.

It sounds like progress is being made on the byway outdoor theater art project on Main Street.   It will really be a neat way to bring the community together for some fun. We have received all the information needed to submit our grant proposal for the Main Street lighting project. This is another big grant that if awarded, will allow us to improve and upgrade a much needed infrastructure issue. The railroad crossing on Main St. has also been upgraded. It makes going over the tracks there so much nicer. It is usually the little things that make the biggest difference in quality life and that certainly is one of those areas that you don’t really notice when it is nice but really notice with it’s not. Finally, I just have to say, as I do every year, how great the 4th of July was. The weather was great. All of the events were fun and the fireworks were absolutely terrific! I tend to forget the fire and rescue departments when thanking everyone involved with making the day a great one right before the fireworks show begins. Chalk it off to nerves and not writing down all I need to say I guess! That doesn’t mean however that all of their hard work isn’t appreciated. I am always so proud of our community when that first fireworks explosion lightens up the dark sky. To think our display rivals any other community around just make me proud to live in Lyons. That couldn’t pride wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for other volunteers who take the time to set them up and shoot them off. My hat is always off to Lyons Community Club and the Lyons Volunteer Fire Department for carrying the torch, year after year, for making the July 4th celebration one of Lyons’ crowning jewels. That’s all I got for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer. School is coming parents so hand in there! Stay cool and we’ll talk to you soon.

 

 

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Market Report

July 28, 2015 Leave a comment


Markets

The big news on Monday was the substantial dip in the Chinese stock market, that trend continued and the 3 day sell of knocks 11% off the Shanghai Composite.  Despite government efforts to reverse the trend, the Chinese stock market continues to decline since peaking on June 12th.

Commodities had a significant sell of yesterday pulling down gold, silver, copper, cotton, soybeans, corn, cattle, and Crude oil futures have continued to slide to a new 4 month low near $47 a barrel, but headed back in to positive territory midday today.

U.S Dollar strengthens again today, as many investors look for the fed to increase interest as early as September.

Ford reported a 46% increase in net income for Q2, logging its largest quarterly profit ever for North America.

 

Grain Markets 12:39pm

Corn -2 @ 3.71
Dec Corn -2 $3.81 ½
Beans +10 ¼ @ $9.71 1/2
Nov Beans +5 ¾ @ $9.39

 

Crop condition was raised from 69% to 70% good to Excellent on corn as compared to last years 75%, and soybeans were left alone at 62% good to excellent as compared to last years 71%

 

Corn

December Corn has lost .73 cents in the last 10 trading days, interestingly enough earlier this month, we went from the current trading level to the contract high in just 13 days.  We have literally went from $3.81 all the way up to $4.54 and back to $3.81 in 23 days.  Talk about a roller coaster ride.  There seems to be a lot of noise and no one is exactly sure what to hear, from a weather scare and flooding, to key fundamentals influencing world carry, Political, and of course the macro markets.  It seems they are all competing for attention.

A new gap was created yesterday.  We now have 2 gaps in the Dec ’15 corn contract, from a technical perspective we may see corn continue to trend down into contract lows prior to retracing those gaps.  Keep in mind the gap retracement could be post-harvest.

image001

Strategy:  As the market dips, and affordable way to participate in upside potential on sold bushels is a simple “buy back strategy” utilizing options.  Which keeps capital risk low.

 

Beans:  Uncertainty in China w no doubt caused a lot of pain for the bean market yesterday seeing a 30 cent drop on Monday in Nov beans.   A bit of a turnaround Tuesday feel today though as beans gained at the open, but only up 5 cents at noon.  Beans are feeling a lot of pressure from the macro markets, fear of Chinese demand and the US Dollar making South America more appealing to international buyers.

 

Strategy: Beans may be a painful ride down, lock in a sale at a profitable level either cash or utilizing an HTA.  Bonus premium offers may be used to bring the value of the sale up.

 

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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50th Annual Neihardt Day Celebration

July 27, 2015 Leave a comment


The 50th annual Neihardt Day celebration will honor the “Sacred Circle” of the life and works of John G. Neihardt and family on Sunday, August 2 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Neihardt Site.

Ron Hull returns as emcee and will introduce featured presenters including American folk-era musical entertainer Mike Adams, a living history interpretation of John and Mona Neihardt by Brad Kellogg and Raija Weiershauser, and manuscript donation by James Storm.

We are also pleased to welcome special guests and members of the Neihardt and Black Elk families, including Coralie Hughes, Neihardt’s granddaughter, who will give a selected Neihardt reading, and Myron Pourier, the great-great grandson of Nicholas Black Elk.

Foundation Board members are invited to attend a meeting in the Neihardt Library at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served on the grounds by Conrad’s Kitchen from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The main program will begin at 1:30 p.m. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Bring your family and a lawn chair to enjoy the festivities!

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Neihardt Site Chosen as Passport Stop

July 27, 2015 Leave a comment


The Neihardt Site has once again been chosen as one of 80 stops for the Nebraska Tourism Commission’s sixth annual Passport Program.

The ten tours featured in this program will take participants all over the state to discover unique and exciting places.

This year, the Neihardt Site is part of the “Nebraska Legends Tour,” which includes some of the most famous historical figures to call Nebraska home.

In addition to the Neihardt Site, other stops in the Legends Tour include the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial, Columbus; Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, Nebraska City; Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park, Merriman; General Crook House Museum, Omaha; Ponca Tribal Museum and Library, Niobrara; Senator George Norris State Historic Site, McCook; and Willa Cather State Historic Site, Red Cloud.

When you visit any of the designated sites, be sure to get your passport stamped to be eligible for prizes for each completed tour. For more information visit nebraskapassport.com.

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Burt County Fair: Blue Jeans and Family Dreams

July 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Burt county fair

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Heat Advisory

July 26, 2015 Leave a comment


Heat advisory in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT
this evening…
The National Weather Service in Omaha/valley has issued a heat
advisory…which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM
CDT this evening.
* Heat index…103 to 108 degrees during the afternoon and early
evening.
* Impacts…heat related illness like heat stress…heat cramps
or possibly heat stroke is more likely. Pets and livestock
will also be impacted by the heat and appropriate measures
should be taken for the animals safety.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will
combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned
room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and
neighbors.

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