Garden Season

April 18, 2024 Leave a comment


It is my favorite time of the year! Spring has arrived, in the usual way in Nebraska. Weather is a continuous uncertainty. One thing is not uncertain. We will be planting a garden!

Jeff has already begun the process. He planted tomatoes and peppers a few months ago and placed them under the grow light in our basement. He planted red onions a few days ago. We also purchased a large greenhouse. We haven’t put it up yet. I can’t wait! I love watching all of the veggies grow! I also plant herbs. I am going to grow new ones this year! Stay tuned!

We are trying a new veggie this year, lemon cucumber. I have no idea how it will taste, but I am very curious. I also wonder if I can can this kind of cucumber? I will be doing some research.

I thought it would be fun to take pictures and maybe some videos of us planting the garden. It is quite a process and a lot of work to say the least. Maybe some of the younger generation would take an interest in the process and want to plant a garden of their own! There truly is nothing better than your own homegrown vegetables. Canning them is another way to enjoy them year round! We enjoy sharing our produce with those in our community. I have a vegetable stand that I put in front of our house all summer long! We keep our prices very low to help others in the area. I doubt you can get a tomato for 50 cents anywhere else but from our garden! Who doesn’t love a BLT with a homegrown tomato?

I also am certified through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to accept the senior farmers market coupons. Senior citizens can apply through their local senior center or the Nebraska Department on Aging. The process is based on income. Upon approval, a person is given 48 $3 coupons to be used between June 1st and October 31st of this year. You must receive $3 of produce to use each coupon. You can’t ask for less and receive change back. There is no cost to those who apply. The coupons are FREE! So what is stopping you? Apply today! Visit me and I will make sure you receive plenty of good wholesome produce!

We are excited to share our garden with you! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am here to help!

Have a great day! Until next time,

Denise

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The Future of Technology

February 10, 2022 Leave a comment


I love to write, but I haven’t been publishing much lately. I am always a work in progress. Does anybody still keep journals? I do. Sometimes I don’t have much to say. Other times, I could write a book about one day of my life.

I am not perfect when it comes to grammar, but I am close. I have to admit, social media has corrupted grammar. People are abbreviating nearly every word! Sometimes People have texted me with so many abbreviated words that I have absolutely no clue what they are saying! Then there are those three letter words, or more depending, that I know aren’t words. Such as idk. I had to ask what that meant, or was it a type-o? I am really feeling my age.

I am getting used to it. No, I don’t like it, but it seems to be the way of the world at the moment. I do have concerns about this “world.”

How many times a year do you write your name? I very seldom write my name. I rarely even write checks any more. Will your children, grandchildren and all the future children to come, know how to write cursive? They will learn how to spell it, and print it, but will they write it?

Maybe I am just a bit too much old school. I am certain technology is ever evolving. Maybe the Jetsons cartoon is more of a reality than I ever thought possible when I watched it as a kid. Actually, I never thought of it being a reality. Technology had barely advanced past rotary phones. Can you imagine people having flying vehicles? Have you been to Omaha? People can’t drive on the ground!

I doubt flying vehicles will happen in my lifetime. I am also grateful! But for those of you that do witness flying vehicles, put extra insurance on your house.

Just food for thought.

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Gilliland’s Garden

May 3, 2021 Leave a comment


First, I want to apologize for being off the radar for so long! I will just leave it at: life happens. I am going to write about various topics.

I am not sure how much of the local news I will start publishing again. I will take it one step at a time. If you have any information you would like me to share, feel free to contact me, even if it is not news. I am open to suggestions.

The topic I chose today was our garden. I know many of you also garden. If you’d like to share about your garden, I would love to hear from you.

We have always had a garden in the nearly 25 years we have lived here. For many years, it was just for us. My husband, Jeff, grew up on a farm. Living in town wasn’t a good fit for him at first. He was always so proud to farm. He felt he was helping others. He took pride in growing crops that would feed so many people. As you can imagine, our garden was huge! We could never eat it all. Yes, we froze many things, such as salsa, tomato juice, etc. for use during the winter months. I never learned how to can, so I was thrilled to discover freezing salsa, tomato juice, peppers, tomatoes and green beans worked just as well!

At least 7 or so years ago, I came up with an idea! I asked Jeff is we could make the garden even larger and have our own farmers market during the summer! He instantly said yes. We decided to set our prices low and to also donate veggies to the school and the nursing home, which we have been doing for years now. We want to help others in need. Those that may not be able to grow a garden, or don’t have the room to and we especially wanted to help the elderly. We have achieved our goals, and then some. Jeff is feeling much better about living in town again. He feels like he is still helping others. I feel the same way.

Is it a lot of work? Yes. But isn’t anything worth doing?

We grow cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions, green beans, zucchini and this year we are growing cabbage. We may add more. I never know what Jeff has planned!

I put a table up and fill it with all of our goodies! I post it on facebook to get more attention. Most of the local people know about our stand and come over quite regularly. We have had people come from miles around to purchase vegetables from us. We are also certified through the state to accept coupons elderly people can obtain at their local senior center!

We also have chickens and sell fresh eggs! We sell them year round!

Please feel free to stop by our stand this summer for veggies and eggs. We are located on main street in Oakland, Nebraska. We are across the street from the Methodist church, and a bit south in a yellow ranch style house.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Gilliland’s Garden!

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

January 26, 2017 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

We have a couple of residents celebrating birthdays , Lillian Mueller on January 28th and Janet Stofferahn on January 31st . Next week we have the monthly Resident Council meeting on Monday January 30th at 2:30 pm. On Tuesday January 31st is National Bubble Wrap day and we will be serving Donuts and coffee, and relieving some stress with popping of bubble wrap. We also are starting a new month and on Thursday is February 2nd, Ground Hog day we will be having some fun activities that day in observance.

Church Service for Sunday January 29th will be given by St. John Lutheran Church at 2:30 pm with a luncheon following service.

Activities for the week of Jan. 16th to Jan. 21st are as follows, reading with Jill, Manicures, Sing a Long, Game Day, Bingo the w/WOW, Reading Group, Bible Fellowship, Trivia Games,   Let’s Play Ball, Crafty Cooking, Friday Bingo, and Lawrence Walk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Bonnie Fleischman, Kathy Rennerfeldt, Sue Beckner, Dani Moseman, and Di Ruwe.

 

 

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Winter Weather Advisory

December 15, 2016 Leave a comment 


..MIXED WINTRY PRECIPITATION FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY, THEN SHARPLY
COLDER...

.A STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BRING A MIX OF FREEZING DRIZZLE AND
SNOW TO THE AREA FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. THEN SHARPLY COLDER
TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY. LIGHT ICING
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY, ALONG WITH 1 TO 5 INCHES OF
SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY. SOME BLOWING SNOW COULD ALSO DEVELOP WITH
REDUCED VISIBILITY, THEN WIND CHILLS DROP TO 15 TO 30 BELOW ZERO
SATURDAY INTO EARLY SUNDAY.


MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-THURSTON-CUMING-BURT-PLATTE-
COLFAX-DODGE-WASHINGTON-BUTLER-SAUNDERS-DOUGLAS-SARPY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ONAWA...MAPLETON...MISSOURI VALLEY...

WOODBINE...LOGAN...DUNLAP...HARLAN...COUNCIL BLUFFS...PENDER...

MACY...WALTHILL...WINNEBAGO...WEST POINT...WISNER...TEKAMAH...

OAKLAND...LYONS...DECATUR...COLUMBUS...SCHUYLER...FREMONT...

BLAIR...DAVID CITY...WAHOO...ASHLAND...YUTAN...OMAHA...BELLEVUE...

PAPILLION...LA VISTA
346 PM CST THU DEC 15 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING DRIZZLE AND SNOW...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY.

* TIMING...DRIZZLE DEVELOPS FRIDAY MORNING AND CONTINUES THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING. SOME SLEET COULD ALSO OCCUR. DRIZZLE CHANGES
OVER TO SNOW LATE FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUES THROUGH MIDDAY
SATURDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT...SURFACE TEMPERATURES WILL BE BELOW FREEZING, THUS
LIGHT ICING ACCUMULATIONS CAN BE EXPECTED. WHEN SNOW DEVELOPS,
NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 30 MPH COULD CREATE AREAS OF
BLOWING SNOW. 

* OTHER IMPACTS...UNTREATED ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PARKING LOTS,
BRIDGES, AND OVERPASSES WILL BECOME ICY WITH A THIN GLAZE.

TRAVEL MAY BE IMPACTED. WIND CHILLS DROP TO 15 TO 20 BELOW LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW, SLEET, OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES, AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

December 13, 2016 Leave a comment


 

Bancroft Senior Center News by Connie Bargmann

*If you are 60+ and need information on programs designed to help keep you stay in

your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648- 3387 or in the

evening at 402-648- 7648. There are no membership fees or attendance requirements and

new faces are always welcome.

* 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. Dec. 14: No melody chimes practice. Coffee time at 9:00 a.m. We will play

Christmas bingo at 2:00 p.m.

Thurs. Dec. 15: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. serving rolls and coffee from 9 – 11 a.m.

Walking ex. at 10:30 a.m. FROG ex. that will help improve your balance 1:00 p.m. Sign

up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 16: Join us for coffee at 9:00 a.m. The legal aid attorney will be at the center at

1:00 p,m, to help you with any legal questions you might be having. She will give a short

presentation at 1:30 p.m. before the birthday party begins.

Mon. Dec.19: The caregiver support group will meet at 12:30 for lunch and then proceed

with rest of the activities; all caregivers are invited to come, call and let the manager

know that you are planning to participate.

Tues. Dec. 20: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. Coffee time at 10:00 a.m. and walking exercises

at 10:30 p.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Wed. Dec. 21: No chime practice today. Coffee time at 9:00 a.m. The Christmas party

will be today at 2:00 p.m.

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

November 15, 2016 Leave a comment


By Connie Bargmann

Bancroft Senior Center News

*If you are 60+ and need information on programs designed to help keep you stay in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648. There are no membership fees or attendance requirements and new faces are always welcome.

* 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. Nov. 16: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00 a.m. Coffee time 10:15 a.m. FROG ex. at 1:30 p.m. Come and play bingo with us at 2:00 p.m.

Thurs. Nov. 17: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. and walking club at 10:40 a.m. Rolls and coffee from 9-11 a.m. If you would like to play 5-handed pinochle today at 1:30 p.m., please sign up.

Fri. Nov.18: Monthly birthday party is today at 1:30 p.m. Lunch is served at about 3:30 p.m. All our friends are invited to the party.

Mon. November 21: The caregiver support group meets today at 2:00 p.m. Our guest speaker is Barb Fancher from the Area Agency on Aging. We welcome you to attend.

Tues. Nov. 22: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. Coffee time at 10:00 a.m. and walking exercises at 10:30 p.m. Free blood pressure clinic starts at 11:40. Make your reservations to eat with us today; we will be serving a roast beef dinner. Cards will be played after lunch.

Wed. Nov. 23: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00 p.m. Coffee times at 10:15 a.m. FROG ex. at 1:00 p.m. Come and play Skip-Bo at 1:30 p.m.

Thurs. Nov. 24: Happy Thanksgiving. The center is closed today.

 

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Dale Oscar Johnson, 88, of Oakland NE

November 15, 2016 Leave a comment


Dale Oscar Johnson was born to Oscar and Frieda (Prawitz) Johnson in Oakland, Nebraska on September 24, 1928. He passed away November 13, 2016 at Premier Estates of Fremont in Fremont, Nebraska, at the age of 88 years.

Dale was raised in Oakland, and graduated from Oakland High School, where he was a star athlete in football, basketball and baseball.

He married Jeanette Carson on October 12, 1950. Together they raised four daughters; Kristie, Janelle, Marla and Lynnette. Dale and Jeanette were long-time members of First United Methodist Church in Oakland. They were active members of Golden Oaks Senior Center in Oakland.

Dale made his career as a linotype and printing press operator, working in Oakland, Lyons, West Point and Walthill for many years. Following his retirement, he was co-owner of Dime Store Days antique mall in Fremont until 2012.

Dale was an extraordinary gardener, perennially winning blue ribbons for his vegetables and flowers. It will be difficult to find a warmer, more genuine and friendly man, and he will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene; sister, Betty and son-in-law, James Peterson.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeanette; brother, James (Joanne) Johnson of Lyons; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Morris) Fleischman of Oakland; daughters, Kristie (Patrick) Peters of Crystal, MN, Janelle (Tom) VanScoy, Marla Peterson and Lynnette (Curt) Goracke all of Fremont; granddaughters, Heather (Bob) Batt, Brooke (Chris) Goracke, Haley (Tom) Fruen, Emily Perina, Celia (Jakob) Peters; grandsons, Jason (Darcy) Martin, Seth Perina, Andrew (Brittney) Perina, Spencer (Jodee) Goracke, Joseph Peters; eleven great grandchildren, Gabi, Josh, Devin, Ellis, Carter, Reese, Cain, James, Drew, Addison, Rayne, Mason; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Funeral Service is Thurs., Nov. 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland NE.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial is in the Oakland Cemetery.

Memorial Contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska, 11711 Arbor Street, Suite 110, Omaha NE 68144.

Dale Johnson

Dale Johnson

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A Minute With The Mayor, Andy Fuston — Kat Country Hub

September 20, 2016 Leave a comment


By Lyons Mayor, Andy Fuston Football and volleyball season is finally here! Nebraska is off to a great start. What a win Saturday against Oregon! The Wolverines hard work isn’t necessarily reflected in the win/loss column but it takes time to get use to integrating two teams under one scheme and then playing in a […]

via A Minute With The Mayor, Andy Fuston — Kat Country Hub

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The Beauty of Water, Land and Sky

September 14, 2016 Leave a comment


dsc08388A view from our boat at Summit Lake near Tekamah, NE. The beauty of the water, land and sky all in on picture! Photo Credit/ Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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