Denise’s Tidbits

January 31, 2014 Leave a comment


I consider every week, actually every day, interesting. I like to find something new and exciting about it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always turn out that way. As long as I go to bed with a new form of knowledge each day, I consider it a blessing.

Here are some of the tidbits I have found interesting this week.

  1. I read a report on sex trafficking. I am amazed at how much of this goes on each and every day throughout the world. It is disgusting to me that people do such a thing to others. What are your thoughts on this issue?
  2. I love sports as much as anyone and am just as guilty of talking entirely too much about it. I can say that I don’t care who wins the Super Bowl. I am not a fan of either team. I am astounded to have learned this week how much sex trafficking occurs on a higher level during sporting events, such as the Super Bowl. Did you know prominent people, such as doctors, lawyers, etc. participate in this? I wasn’t surprised to know that politicians do.
  3. There is a lady in Iowa, an elderly lady, that didn’t get her sidewalks scooped. The city ticketed her. Other residents near her haven’t scooped their walks, but were not ticketed. The city’s response was: They ticket people according to complaints they have received. That is shameful. It should be the same rules for all. What I don’t understand is, why don’t people help scoop other’s walks instead of turning them in?
  4. I wonder what will happen on Ground Hog’s Day? I am hoping for Spring, soon! I think we could use some moisture however. The ground has some cracks in it. The farmers really need some help.
  5. I am hoping that the Olympics go off without a hitch. If I had one wish that could be granted, it would be world peace. I pray for it every day.

 

Until next time, enjoy each and every day!

Never be afraid to speak up!!!

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The Way Things Used to Be (Partially)

January 29, 2014 Leave a comment


By Corey McCullock

Kat Country Hub Contributor

Corey McCullock

Corey McCullock

I remember when I was younger, riding with my parents down a gravel road and seeing boots on fence posts and asking my mom why people did that. She explained that the person who owned the fence line must have gotten a new pair of boots because they always hang their old worn out pair on the posts.

I don’t remember the last time I saw a pair of boots on a fence post. It’s not sad, it was just a kind of reality check, that things aren’t the way they used to be. My generation has lost a lot of “touch” with older generations. Not just the generation my parents are in, but the generation my grandparents are in too. I feel like today’s youth are lacking in many things that generations older than mine have to offer.

Technology has advanced the way we do things so much today. I wish parts of it were put on hold. My grandparents farmed the hard way, horse drawn equipment, back breaking work and many other physically tasking duties that we don’t have to worry about today.It worries me that the generation my kids grow up in won’t know what work is. They’ll have jobs and go to work, but that is not the type of work that got this nation where it is today.

I could say the same for my generation. We don’t know what work is compared to the generations before us. I feel this way not just with work ethic, but in other areas like respect, discipline, “street” knowledge in a way that you can cob anything together and make it work without even having the right part.

There are many other things I think my generation needs to learn from past generations. There are also many ideas from previous generations that I want to stay there. I do remember overhearing some people talk one day saying, “What’s wrong with the kids today?” and I just kind of sat there and thought to myself, what the heck are they talking about. Now I realize today what they were talking about. Think of how you wish the world would be today. Is there anything that the previous generations could give my generation to hopefully reach that?

Maybe things should be the way they used to be.

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Social Speaks: Heat Bills on the Rise

January 28, 2014 Leave a comment


I have been hearing people voice concerns over high heat bills this winter. Is your heating/electricity/gas bill higher than normal. Are there any of you that use propane? Is your bill high? I heard propane has gone up too.

  • Kathy Peterson I don’t but mom just put in a new propane furnace and yes propane has gone up over a $ a gallon in the last month
  • Jo West I do not have propane…but my bill was $250. last month and this month $350…I have never paid more than $200 a month in twenty years & I know it can not be that colder in Herman…lol
  •  Kathy Peterson I would seriously encourage everyone to invest in infrared heaters as a supplement…my gas bill was down 40% over last year… and I just got my electric bills …..they are about the same as they were last year…but it has been so much colder this year than it was last year that I am ecstatic……..since doing that investment I actually LOOK FORWARD to opening my bills to see where they are…..
  •  Debby Boyle-Redding propane is over 5.00 a gal now. the min you can have put in is 250 gals. we have heard that the contracts are not going to be honored that some people have . yes we do have propane
  •  Kathy Peterson They honored Mom’s …just filled it a few weeks ago…
  •  Julie Eager Is it true that drying corn has become more important than people?
  •  Cherry Hanak We started the corn stove way cheaper then propane
  •  Debby Boyle-Redding that was before the price went up
  •  Kristi Dahlgren Propane has gone up. But we locked our price back in the fall so wr’ll be okay. Whew!
  •  Angie Maxwell Don’t have propane any longer, but one of the girls I wrk with does. As of tomorrow it’s supposed to go up to $6.00 a gallon she said and they weren’t allowed to lock in prices this fall.

     

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Valentine’s Day Trivia

January 28, 2014 Leave a comment


Valentine”s Day Trivia: Who was the first television couple to share a bed on air (instead of twin beds)?

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Social Speaks: Cold Weather and School Closings

January 25, 2014 Leave a comment


This is for those above 40 years old. Do you remember school closing because of the cold weather?

  • Linda Carlson no, not when I went. I don’t remember snow days either.
  •  Dan Tierney NOT !!!!
  •  Patty Church Nope sure dnt..!!!
  •  Helen Taylor Murray No and we had to walk to school everyday, almost a mile. There were stretches of below zero weather that lasted 20-30 days when we were kids.
  •  Brandy K. McElroy Nope and im not 40!!
  •  Diane Thomas-Greckel Nope, never !! I wonder if it’s because the buses run on diesel and that “gels” up when it’s really cold ??? Who knows.
  •  David Mallette Never because of cold….I recall a few snow days when I was in country school….and that met it was BAD!!!
  •  Julie Eager In the 60’s I remember getting out of school for snow and then playing in the snow all day in Craig, Ne.
  •  Mike Sklenar A lot of closing early because it was too hot. Then straight to football practice. There were a lot of snow days. Not sure if any of them were just because it was too cold.
  •  Monica Potter when I was young we lived in Leshara and I went to school in Omaha, my mother would be the one who decided school or no school cuz she was my driver. but later on when I was mainstreamed into regular school I dont remember too many snow days or cold days.
  • Lori Lubker Nope!!
  •  Susan Penke Nope
  •  Nancy Johnson Nope, but I also remember my parents took me to school everyday.
  •  Cindy Schorn I remember getting out early but not snow days maybe late starts. But things have changed because evidently our kids need more “more protecting than we did” A lot of things have changed in our schools and it is sad.
  •  Tami Friedl Hovendick Nope!!! You just had to go..
  •  Patti Johnson I remember having so many layers on you just prayed. You didn’t. Fall down!
  • Lauri Bundy Canarsky With both parents working today, there are a lot more kids who have to walk to school. I understand not wanting kids out in subzero wind chills. And those diesel fueled school buses don’t like the cold either.
  •  Jolene Stromquist I think it was mostly Iowa schools because they still had quite a bit of wind Ik some places were suppose to be 50 below wind chill. Wouldn’t want anyone out in that especially kids walking
  •  Helen Taylor Murray When I stop and think about it, that was then and this is now. I wouldn’t send my kids or grandkids out in -0 weather. Parents were prepared back then because it was a way of life. I even remember being embarrassed because sometimes our gloves didn’t match. We were layered to the max.
  •  Ann Anderson what I remember the most was the town kids went to school and the country kids got to stay at home when it snowed a lot. But as for the cold….we went to school. When it was extremely hot in August we went to school and just opened the windows or the teachers brought their own fan. But either way, we went and we all walked to school regardless the weather..no rides.
  •  Kristi Dahlgren Not once…

  •  

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Kats’ Korner, School Merging

January 24, 2014 1 Comment


Everywhere I go, people ask me what I think about the school merger. The truth of the matter is, I haven’t made a decision one way or the other.

I would first like to commend all of the school board members involved in this very serious situation.

It can’t be easy. There are so many issues involved, and above all, so many people.

The number one concern, in my opinion, is what is best for the children. They should be the main focus.

Do we need to merge? I believe at some point, yes we will. Schools haven’t received as much financial aid from the state as they had in the past. This could cause more problems in the future. One thing to understand is, one school districts finances are different from another’s.

One question that has been asked of me is how this will affect everyone’s taxes. I do not have a definite answer. I recommend contacting a school board member for an answer to that question. I know this has been of concern to many.

People in the Oakland-Craig School District have voiced many concerns because of the district adding onto the elementary school. A bond was previously voted in to do so before the schools merging became an issue, which raised taxes. Many people are concerned about this happening again.

I understand your concerns. The best advice I have is to contact your school board members with your concerns, attend school board meetings and the public meetings in the future.

If it were on the ballot today, how would you vote? I am still undecided.

I will decide as time passes and more information becomes available. I trust in the school board members to do what is right for the children. That is their job and I believe they all are taking it very seriously.

images

——————————————-Kats’ Korner———————————————-

I am sure everyone can recall a winter worse than this one, but can you recall one with more bizarre weather?

Last Sunday was just beautiful. How unusual is it to have 60-degree weather in January? People were out soaking it in, enjoying the day.

It was a good thing too, because the wind and cold came back. It is so odd to have so many very cold, windy days, along with bursts of snow that looked like a blizzard! At least the snow only lasted a few minutes.

I wonder what will happen on ground hogs day? I hope spring will be coming soon!

 

shivering in the cold—————————————–Kats’ Korner————————————————

This has been a very busy month. I have had many things come up unexpectedly. I am trying to get my life balanced better as issues with city council come up and take time. I love every minute of it and it is a great learning experience.

I am hoping to get my feet firmly placed on the ground in the next week or so, as I believe things will be more settled down. At least, that is my hope!!

Have a great day.

Let us remember, each day is a gift. Never wish it to hurry up!

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Social Speaks: Flu Season

January 24, 2014 Leave a comment


The flu season is upon us. Do you feel employers allow for enough sick days throughout the year? Do you go to work sick? If so, why?

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Social Speaks: Cold Weather and School

January 23, 2014 Leave a comment


This is for those above 40 years old. Do you remember school closing because of the cold weather?

  • Linda Carlson no, not when I went. I don’t remember snow days either.
  • Dan Tierney NOT !!!!
  • Patty Church Nope sure dnt..!!!
  • Helen Taylor Murray No and we had to walk to school everyday, almost a mile. There were stretches of below zero weather that lasted 20-30 days when we were kids.
  • Brandy K. McElroy Nope and im not 40!!
  • Diane Thomas-Greckel Nope, never !! I wonder if it’s because the buses run on diesel and that “gels” up when it’s really cold ??? Who knows.
  • David Mallette Never because of cold….I recall a few snow days when I was in country school….and that met it was BAD!!!
  • Julie Eager In the 60’s I remember getting out of school for snow and then playing in the snow all day in Craig, Ne.
  • Mike Sklenar A lot of closing early because it was too hot. Then straight to football practice. There were a lot of snow days. Not sure if any of them were just because it was too cold.
  • Monica Potter when I was young we lived in Leshara and I went to school in Omaha, my mother would be the one who decided school or no school cuz she was my driver. but later on when I was mainstreamed into regular school I dont remember too many snow days or cold days.
  • Lori Lubker Nope!!
  • Nancy Johnson Nope, but I also remember my parents took me to school everyday.
  • Cindy Schorn I remember getting out early but not snow days maybe late starts. But things have changed because evidently our kids need more “more protecting than we did” A lot of things have changed in our schools and it is sad
  • Tami Friedl Hovendick Nope!!! You just had to go..
  • Patti Johnson I remember having so many layers on you just prayed. You didn’t. Fall down!
  • Lauri Bundy Canarsky With both parents working today, there are a lot more kids who have to walk to school. I understand not wanting kids out in subzero wind chills. And those diesel fueled school buses don’t like the cold either.
  • Jolene Stromquist I think it was mostly Iowa schools because they still had quite a bit of wind Ik some places were suppose to be 50 below wind chill. Wouldn’t want anyone out in that especially kids walking.
  • Helen Taylor Murray When I stop and think about it, that was then and this is now. I wouldn’t send my kids or grandkids out in -0 weather. Parents were prepared back then because it was a way of life. I even remember being embarrassed because sometimes our gloves didn’t match. We were layered to the max.
  • Ann Anderson what I remember the most was the town kids went to school and the country kids got to stay at home when it snowed a lot. But as for the cold….we went to school. When it was extremely hot in August we went to school and just opened the windows or the teachers brought their own fan. But either way, we went and we all walked to school regardless the weather..no rides.
  • Kristi Dahlgren Not once…

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Denise’s Tidbits

January 22, 2014 Leave a comment


Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

There are many intriguing and appealing news stories, locally, nationally and in other countries that I find fascinating every day. I am not talking about crime. It is nearly impossible to turn on the television and not hear of another shooting, robbery, etc. that occurred anywhere.

I am not going to be focusing on crime. I am taking a different spin on news. I want to share some of my thoughts on different stories. I am going to be brief, as I hope my audience will also think about the issues I address. Please, feel free to comment to anything you see as relevance. I don’t pretend to know everything, as I am aware that I don’t. I have an opinion, as everyone else has. Sharing opinions, negatively and positively, is what makes the world go round! I am choosing to only address a few items of interest to begin with. To be honest, this is an idea that just popped into my head yesterday. I am hoping it catches on, whether verbally, or at least through a thought process.

Here is my first week of tidbits:

1. I am concerned that technology could be causing unemployment. I will use Walmart for an example. They now have self-checkout lanes. I don’t care to use them. As a friend of mine said, “Why should we do their job?” This is in reference to Walmart employees. I agree. We shop and have the option, if we so choose, to check ourselves out. There should be a discount included for shoppers having to do the job of a Walmart employee. Who doesn’t think technology will be the root of more unemployment?

2. What are your thoughts on anti-bacterial soap? The FDA is now stating there isn’t any evidence that anti-bacterial soap works better than regular soap and water in preventing the spread of germs. The FDA is also concerned about some ingredients in anti-bacterial soaps that could pose health risks. Have anti-bacterial soaps been a scam all of this time?

3. Why do we care about the first lady’s (Michelle Obama) 50th birthday? It must be a slow news day to report this extensively on just a birthday.

4. How do you feel about Oakland-Craig, Tekamah-Herman and Lyons-Decatur Schools consolidating? Nearly everywhere I go, someone voices a concern to me about it. I will be honest, 99% of those I have talked to are opposed to this happening. How do you feel?

5. How would you feel if Nebraska legalized marijuana? I am not going to voice my entire opinion on this subject. I am against this. I was brought up to believe it is wrong and I still believe it is wrong. Thoughts?

That is all for this week!

If you have something to discuss, just let me know and I will be happy to post it!!! Discussion is the heart of a healthy, caring community~

 

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Valentine’s Trivia

January 20, 2014 Leave a comment


Valentine’s Trivia: The last question was: How much does the average American spend on Valentine’s Day? Answer: $75.
Today’s question is: Cupid was the son of what Roman God?
Post your answers here!

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