Rosa’s Book Review: The Wright Brothers

July 1, 2015 Leave a comment


By Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director

David McCullough has been widely acclaimed as a “master of the art of narrative history”. He is twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize, twice winner of the National Book Award, and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
McCullough’s most recent book, “The Wright Brothers” tells the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly: Wilbur and Orville Wright.

On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two unknown brothers from Ohio changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe what had happened: the age of flight had begun, with the first heavier-than-air, powered machine carrying a pilot.

Who were these men and how was it that they achieved what they did? Far more than a couple of unschooled Dayton bicycle mechanics who happened to hit on success, they were men of exceptional courage and determination, and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity, much of which they attributed to their upbringing. The house they lived in had no electricity or indoor plumbing, but there were books aplenty, supplied mainly by their preacher father, and they never stopped reading.

When they worked together, no problem seemed to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity as few had ever seen. That they had no more than a public high school education, little money and no contacts in high places, never stopped them in their mission to take to the air. Nothing did, not even the self-evident reality that every time they took off in one of their contrivances, they risked being killed.

In this thrilling book, master historian David McCullough draws on the immense riches of the Wright Papers, including private diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, and more than a thousand letters from private family correspondence to tell the human side of the Wright Brothers’ story, including the little-known contributions of their sister, Katharine, without whom things might well have gone differently for them.

Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Brasch attends Pilger Flag Raising Ceremony

July 1, 2015 Leave a comment


This will be my final weekly update until the beginning of the 2016 legislative session. Since we adjourned on May 29, I shared two update summaries to better explain where we ended this session. In 2016, new legislation will be introduced along with many carryover bills. With that said, I encourage you to stay engaged and express your views as you are the State’s “Second House.”

 

As always, it is good to be back in our district and speaking with constituents on a regular basis. To see everyone on our main streets, in places of business, during parades, at church, and at county fairs is truly refreshing. There is almost always something happening throughout the district I enjoy participating in. So far this interim I have attended Cargill’s Blair 20th Anniversary Celebration and the Pilger Flag Raising Ceremony. I have also enjoyed resuming work with my private consulting business.

 

Some may remember last year I was honored to be accepted into the the 2014 Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellowship Program. It is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government, bringing together 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government for an intensive six-day “intellectual boot camp.”

 

This year the Toll Fellowship Program selected a dozen graduates, from various years, to participate in a first-ever Global Affairs Academy. They generously and graciously paid most of our expenses for travel to and lodging in Washington D.C. for three days of intensive study. We were briefed on key current events affecting the 195 sovereign countries around the world, their relevance to the U.S., and what individual states can do to prepare their governments and economies.

 

We were also briefed on our current top five foreign policy issues. Key staff members of the Departments of Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs shared a number of potential concerns on topics ranging from ISIL to cyber warfare. Notably, cyber security is crucial for protecting constituents. While big businesses and government typically have solid firewalls, we must be aware of vendors being unknowingly utilized because of their less secure computer networks. Critical agencies must be watchful and prepared for cyber attacks from those who would wish us harm. The importance of heightened security for our infrastructure and energy systems was also stressed.

 

We also learned about the negative effects of decreasing foreign aid. For example, countries in need are often courted or overtaken by enemies of the U.S. It was remarked that another attack, such as 9/11 is most likely on someone’s drawing board somewhere. Included in foreign aid is the need to assist other countries with their health epidemics which, if not controlled, can become pandemic, such as the Ebola crisis or, more recently, the Middle East respiratory syndrome.

 

We also focused on the global economy and how we simply cannot shut out the rest of the world. We rely on international businesses and there are an increasing number in the U.S. that are good for jobs and our national economy.

 

With so much to think about from the last week, all I can say is it is truly good to be back home!

 

As always, please contact me, administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or legislative aide, Tom Venzor, with questions or thoughts at (402) 471-2728 or e-mail at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov.

 

Keeping the Good Life Growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

 

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What’s Value Added Mean Anyway

July 1, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Whether enabling dairy farmers to expand their line of product offerings or helping farm families start businesses for unique products or providing capital for the creation of farm-identity preserved regional supply chains, USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program has been helping thousands of farmers and ranchers around the country expand their customer base and income by creating new or developing existing value-added businesses.
 
These grants assist farmers and ranchers in starting or expanding ventures that increase the value of raw farm and ranch products and market unique and high-quality food  products, including local, natural, and organic foods.
 
Developing entrepreneurial farm and ranch ventures is one the best strategies for creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in rural and small town America. Moreover, the VAPG program helps foster entrepreneurship, keep wealth in rural communities, enhance farm and ranch profitability, revive rural mainstreets and create opportunities for young families to return to rural America.
 
Application deadlines are rapidly approaching, however. USDA has $30 million in funding nationally through this competitive grant program. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 7th and electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due July 2nd.
 
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has put together a farmer’s’ guide to the program. You can find that at the following web address: http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2015-VAPG-Application-Guide-NSAC-May-2015.pdf. And USDA awards these grants on at least an annual basis, so, it never hurts to start looking at the program now for next year’s funding round.

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Several Attend Northeast NE Housing Tour

July 1, 2015 Leave a comment


By Patty Plugge

Executive Director, Burt County Economic Development Corporation

Forty-three people met in Wayne on Wednesday, June 24th for the Northeast NE Housing Tour.  The goal of the tour was to showcase successful housing projects in rural Nebraska, and explore the different funding methods.  After hearing from Patty Plugge, Burt County Economic Development Director, during lunch, the group boarded a bus for a tour of housing projects in Wakefield, Pender and Wayne.

Many attend the Northeast NE Housing Tour in Wayne last week. The group toured housing developments in Wayne, Pender and Wakefield. Oakland City Clerk Katie Onken and Oakland City Council member Denise Gilliland were among those attending the event. They can be seen in the far back left of the photo. Katie in a white top and Denise sitting across from her. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

Many attend the Northeast NE Housing Tour in Wayne last week. The group toured housing developments in Wayne, Pender and Wakefield. Oakland City Clerk Katie Onken and Oakland City Council member Denise Gilliland were among those attending the event. They can be seen in the far back left of the photo. Katie in a white top and Denise sitting across from her. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

 

This program was a result of a regional economic development planning process called Stronger Economies Together.  One of the goals resulting from the 17-county plan is to improve the housing stock in Northeast NE.  Sharing information with interested individuals from city and county governments, bankers, real estate brokers, contractors and volunteers is the first step in meeting this goal.  There are plans for a Housing Summit to take place in the near future to provide more details on tools to assist in housing development.  More information will be provided when a date is determined. 

 

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

July 1, 2015 Leave a comment


 

Oakland Heights News

By Nancy Silvey Activity Director

Turned out to be a nice weekend, we also start a new month this week, and we got a Holiday weekend coming up. On Wednesday July 1st at 2:30 pm will be serving Root beer floats. Then on Friday July 3rd we invite residents and anyone who would like to come up and watch the Fireworks from our front parking lot at dusk, bring your lawn chairs.

Next week on Monday July 6th at 2:30 pm is the monthly Volunteer Executive meeting. Tuesday July 7th at 2:30 pm we will be having a Watermelon Roll Contest, serving watermelon afterwards. And on Thursday July 9th at 2:30 pm Charlie Davis will be here to play the Harmonica. We also have a birthday next week, Happy Birthday to Dolores Anderson on July 10th.

Church Service for July 5th at 2:30 pm will be given by Evangelical Free Church with a luncheon served afterwards.

Activities for the week of July 6th to July 11th, are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Reading Group, Sing a Long, Bingo w/Evan Free, Bible Fellowship, Reading the Local Paper, Let’s play ball, crafty cooking, Friday Bingo, Saturday morning movie and Lawrence Welk.

Guest signing in last week was: Amy Wormington to see Dolores Anderson. Kris Peters here to visit Dale and Jeanette Johnson. Angie and Brooke Kuester to see LaMae Johnson.

Activity Memorial Fund

Memorials were given in memory of Delores Danielson by Patricia Anderson, and Frelon Danielson.

 

 

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

June 30, 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.

Weekly Activities:

Wed. July 1: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00. Join us for coffee at 10:00. The card game of golf will be played at 1:30.

Thurs. July 2: Rolls and coffee served from 9:00 until noon. Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex class at 10:45. Come and play in the pitch tournament at 1:30; remember to sign up.

Fri. July 3: Remember to sign up to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.

Mon .July 6: Potluck dinner is at noon, bring a salad, vegetable or dessert, the meat and potatoes will be furnished. Cards will be played after lunch or you may work on the jigsaw puzzle.

Tues. July 7: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:45. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Sing up to play pitch today at 1:30.

Wed. July 8: Melody chimers will practice at 9:00. Join us for coffee time at 10:00. Fun bingo will be played at 2:00 remember to bring quarters. Have you made your reservation for the noon meal on Friday, July 10th. The melody chimers will entertain us at 11:30 on July 10th.

 

 

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Quarterly Grain Stocks Report

June 30, 2015 Leave a comment


The USDA released their Quarterly Grain Stocks report Tuesday morning. This report measures grain in all positions as of June 1st. It is used to benchmark feed demand and gauge whether or not any adjustments are needed to the size of last harvest’s crop. Below is a summary of the estimates:

image002

 

CORN

Corn in all positions totaled 4.45 bbu, up 595 mbu from the year prior (+15%). Of that total, 2.28 bbu were contained on farm (51.3% of total) which is up 22% from the year prior. Off farm stocks totaled 2.17 bbu, up 9% from last year. Disappearance for the March-May period came in at 3.30 mbu, up from 3.16 mbu a year ago (+4.4%). Editor’s Note: Though disappearance was higher year over year, the extent of the gains is likely not enough to justify the USDA’s current corn for feed estimate. However, many thought the number would be larger than what was actually reported, so the news is being digested as bullish.

 

SOYBEANS

Soybeans in all positions as of June 1 totaled 625 mbu vs 405 mbu the year prior (+54.3%). Of the total 246 mbu remained on farm (39.4% of total) which was up 126% from a year earlier! Off farm stocks were up 28% from last year at 379 mbu. Disappearance for the March – May quarter was 701 mbu, an increase of 19% from a year ago. Editor’s Note: Soybean stocks were tighter than expected, which implies that last year’s crop size was certainly overstated. The news is no doubt friendly, and should produce an old crop carryout under 300 mbu (it was projected at 400 mbu+ last harvest!!!!).

 

WHEAT

Wheat in all positions was listed at 753 mbu, above trade stiamtes of 718 mbu. The total was 28% higher than a year ago with 155 mbu of the total contained on farm (+60% y/y). Off farm stocks were up 21% vs last year at 597 mbu. Disappearance for the final quarter of the wheat marketing year was 388 mbu, down 17 percent from last year’s pace. Editor’s Note: Of the three commodities, wheat received the most neutral to bearish information. Positive price action is likely a reflection of strength in corn.

 

 

The Planted Acreage report is survey based and is conducted during the first 2 weeks of June. It shows planted acres for principal crops across the US and is a close estimate to what final acreage should be. However, the USDA has the ability to re-survey these acres if they feel the results may have changed between the survey time period and now. Below is a summary of the numbers.

image003

 

 

CORN

Corn acreage came in at 88.9 mln acres vs expectations of 89.3. Acres are the lowest since 2010, down 2% from last year. Editor’s Note: The acreage numbers didn’t contribute as much to the bullishness as the Stocks report did. Many expect the USDA to resurvey acres due to the wet weather out east. So today’s numbers likely weren’t going to mean much to the trade anyway. If the USDA decides to resurvey, the results will be available in the August S&D report.

 

SOYBEANS

Soybean planted acres were listed at 85.1 mln, up 2% from a year ago and an all-time record for soybeans. Record acres were noted in MN and WI out of the Midwest. Editor’s Note: As with corn, the key numbers today were contained in the Stocks report. Market direction from here will be focused on developing crop condition and getting a handle on just how many acres were lost due to flooding.

 

WHEAT

All wheat planted acreage was listed at 56.1 mln acres, down slightly from last year (-1%) but up from the March intentions number of 55.4 mln. Wheat followed the other commodities higher, but received the least amount of bullish information from the acreage numbers.

 

The markets have responded favorably to the numbers:

As of 12:53 PM

Sept Corn +25 @ $4.16

Aug Beans +45 @ $10.39

 

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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Oakland Library Director Rosa Schmidt Shares Light Summer Reads

June 30, 2015 Leave a comment


By Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director

Fourth of July Celebrations are upon us and ball games are winding down. Many families are planning vacations to be taken before the County Fair and (dare I say it) the new school year.

If you are thinking that you do not have time to read a good book this summer, please think again! There are many books that fit the bill for light summer reading.

Series especially can be a good fit for summer reading. After the first book, we are attached to characters in a story. They make us laugh, cry and sometimes they make us crazy…they become like family to us.

Series can also offer the familiarity of setting. The locations depicted in a story allow us to travel to new places and get to know them or they can allow us to revisit a place we have been. Once we are familiar with the setting, opening a new book in a series is like going “home” again.

After the first book in a series we are invested in these characters, place settings, and the conflicts that revolve around a storyline. It can be hard to let go of them as we turn to the last page of the story. It is great feeling knowing that we are able to set down with them again in the next book and continue our friendship…

Visit your library today and let your librarian show you some of the many varieties of series available for your reading pleasure!

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John J. Brasch, 57, of Rosalie NE

June 30, 2015 Leave a comment


John J. Brasch, 57, of Rosalie, Nebraska died on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE; Pastor Philip Hale will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft. Burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.

John was born on December 15, 1957 in West Point, NE, the son of Vernon and Shirley (Lange) Brasch. He attended Rosalie High School graduating in 1975. Following graduation he worked at Vollers and Sons in Pender, NE as a mechanic. Later he worked at Precision Engine and Machine as a machinist. Following this he opened his own business “Transmission Specialist”, where he built racing engines, transmissions and did other machine work. He moved to Wahoo, where he worked on a feedlot near Mead, NE for a couple years upon getting married and helped raise a stepson for several years. He later divorced, worked for Cornhusker Trailer Mfg. before returning to the family farm as his and his father’s health declined. Vernon passed away in 2005 from Cancer. His mother Shirley later died in 2012 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. John spent time reading, building stock car engines in his early years and later helping his brother Lee with farming as his health allowed. John was a caring man, who enjoyed time with his stepson Matthew and friend Debby. He is survived by his brother Lee (Lydia) Brasch of Bancroft, NE, stepson Matthew, aunts, uncle and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents and an Uncle Duane Brasch.

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Gary R. Strong, 75, of Tekamah NE

June 30, 2015 Leave a comment


Leslie W. and Mildred (Sterns) Strong were having a Sunday family meal on June 9, 1940. Gary R. Strong was unexpectedly born at his Uncle Charles and Aunt Ruth Strong’s farm in Atkinson, Nebraska that day. Gary died at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Nebraska on June 27, 2015, at the age of 75, after receiving wonderful care for over a year at the Golden Living Center in Tekamah, Nebraska.

In the early forties, the Strong family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where Gary graduated from Omaha Tech High in 1959. He married Fran Method on April 27, 1963. Into this union, Gary’s son Chris immediately made them a family of three. A year later, twins Teresa and Gary Ray Strong II were born in Omaha. In 1972, the family moved to Tekamah.

Gary operated a crane for over 20 years at Cargo Carriers in Omaha. For 25 years, Gary was a welder at Con-E-Co in Blair, retiring in December of 2005. In addition, Gary also worked at side jobs, helping others fix broken things. At home, Gary loved to tinker in his garage or remodel his house. He was a magnificent craftsman who could build or fix almost anything. On most any project, one small piece would be left flawed or deliberately omitted, his personal stamp.

He was preceded in death by his son, Chris; father, Leslie Strong; mother, Mildred Pride; stepfather, Floyd Pride Sr.; brother, Donald Strong; sister-in-law, Nancy (Method) Dobberthien.

Survivors include his wife, Fran of Tekamah; daughter, Teresa (Mark) Strong-Hilger of Omaha; son, Gary (Marisol) Strong II of Midwest City, OK; five grandchildren, Nash and Clara Zahm, Eddy, Michelle and Dexter Strong; brothers, Roland (Shirley) Strong and Floyd Pride Jr. of Omaha; sister, Sandra (Larry) Larsen of Blair; aunt, Doris Moss of Sioux City, IA; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, July 3, 2015 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Tekamah, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Thursday 6-8 p.m., with family receiving friends, at Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah, and one hour prior to service time at the church.

BURIAL at a later date.

MEMORIALS: United Methodist Church – Tekamah, Tekamah Public Library Foundation or Tekamah Fire and Rescue.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Gary Strong

Gary Strong

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