Minimum Wage
April 3, 2014 Leave a comment
In March, Nebraska lawmakers voted against raising the minimum wage. What do you think of this decision? Should the minimum wage be raised?
Lela Mae Silver Swanson, 84 of Oakland, NE
April 3, 2014 Leave a comment
Lela Mae Silver Swanson was born January 30, 1930 in Blair, Nebraska at the home of James C. and Hilda Marie (Doshe) Wallace. She passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at Oakland Heights, in Oakland, Nebraska, at the age of 84.
While young, her family moved to a farm near Tekamah, Nebraska and then to Bertha, Nebraska, where she attended grade school. In 1947, she graduated from Oakland Public High School.
Lela Swanson
On December 14, 1947, Lela married Richard Silver. They had one daughter, Crystal Kay “Alix”.
Lela worked as a waitress in Oakland Cafés and as a dental assistant for Dr. Scheffel for several years. In 1972, she bought her own café, Lea’s, which she ran for 20 years.
Lela became an EMT member of the Oakland Rescue Squad and was very proud to serve on this team for several years.
Her husband of 47 years, Dick Silver, died on August 4, 1994.
Lela Married Carl “Junior” Swanson of Lyons, Nebraska on June 27, 1998. Carl passed away August 8, 2004. Lela then moved back to her home town of Oakland on September 1, 2004.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands; brother, James Wallace; and sister, Lil Reinert.
Lela is survived by her daughter, Alix Jorden, of Oakland; grandson, Greg (Manuela) Millard of Tomah, WI; great grandsons, Kevin and Derek; sister, Jenny Hamilton of Walnut, IA; sister-in-law, Dorothy Wallace of Oakland; and several nieces and nephews.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, April 12, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland.
NO VISITATION
BURIAL: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska
MEMORIALS: To the family
Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.
Winter Weather Advisory
April 2, 2014 Leave a comment
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisor from 1:00 p.m. Thurs., April 3rd until 7:00 a.m. Fri., April 4th. Snow is expected to move into the area Thursday afternoon. Moderate to heavy snow is expected late Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. The snow will spread east toward the Missouri River by midnight.
Snow accumulations of 3-5 inches is likely with up to 6 inches possible in some locations before winding down Friday morning.
Temperatures will also drop below freezing Thursday night, which could cause slick and icy conditions. Winds from the north and northwest of 15-25 mph could cause blowing and drifting snow at times.
Please take all of the necessary precautions when traveling.
News From Logan Valley Manor
April 2, 2014 Leave a comment
Happy April everyone. I would like to let you all know that I have resigned my position at Logan Valley Manor. I have accepted a job in Oakland. I have worked here for ten years and I have enjoyed my job in the activity department. I will miss the residents and staff. The manor is advertising for an activity assistant. I am sure The manor is hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sat., April 12th at 10:00 a.m. Posters will be made and sent home with the Lyons-Decatur school students. The Lyons Community Club will be sponsoring the event.
This month is National Volunteer Month. The manor will be honoring our volunteers on April 25th with an appreciation coffee at 2:00 p.m.
The residents will be doing some baking again this month. This is always a fun time for them. They love to have the homemade baked item with a cup of coffee.
We hope to be starting up the sunshine club again. It has been a long winter. The residents look forward to spending time outdoors.
Residents celebrating birthdays this month are: Donna Miller and Marlene Nelson on April 8th and Enlowe Hevner on April 13th. The monthly birthday party will be held on April 17th at 2:00 p.m.
We would like to welcome Melba Slaughter and Doug Goodman to Logan Valley Manor.
Wishing you all a blessed and happy Easter,
The Activity Department
Spring Came to the Oakland Public Library
April 2, 2014 Leave a comment
Jalie Meyer is busying making a spring flower at the Oakland Library. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Ava Johnson and Hilary Ray made their flowers at the Oakland Library after story time. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Paisley Peterson made her flower with some assistance from her mom, Brooke, holding her baby sister Hadley. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Look at the pretty flower Blaise Hartwell made at the Oakland Library! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Kenneth Groskurth, 77 of South Sioux formerly Pender, NE
April 2, 2014 Leave a comment
Kenneth Groskurth, 77, of South Sioux City, NE formerly of Pender, NE passed away Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft, NE; with Pastor Robert Schilling from St. John’s Lutheran Church officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Pender. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service starting at 6:00 p.m. at Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. Memorials may be given to the Pender Community Event Center and Endowment Fund (P.O. Box 662, Pender, NE 68047). Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE.
Kenneth Groskurth
Kenneth was born December 3, 1936 to Clarence and Alice (Schmidt) Groskurth. He graduated from Pender High School. He married Bonnie Krueger at St. John’s Lutheran Church on April 9, 1961. To this union, two children were born; Bill and Kevin. Ken enjoyed reading, taking walks, biking, and mowing. He was an avid card player, he especially enjoyed playing Pitch and Sheepshead. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter and going out to eat. Ken served as a volunteer fireman while living in Pender. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pender. Ken was a truck driver for Rink Manufacturing and Lorensen Ready Mix, he also worked for the City of Pender. He later worked for Chesterman Bottling Company in Sioux City, IA.
Ken is survived by his sons; Bill (Debra) Groskurth of Hinton, IA and Kevin (Kelly) Groskurth of Treynor, IA, sister-in-law Mary Lou Groskurth of Beemer, NE, and one grandchild; Regina.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife; Bonnie, and brother; Dale.
Story Time at Oakland Public Library
April 1, 2014 Leave a comment
Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Public Library Director, read to, from left: Ava Johnson, Jalie Meyer, Paisley Peterson, Hilary Ray and Blaise Hartwell. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
A musical book video, displayed by Oakland Library Director Rosa Schmidt was also a hit with the youngsters at story time. Having a great time singing along is, from left, Ava Johnson, Jalie Meyer, Paisley Peterson, Hilary Ray and Blaise Hartwell. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Confirmation Retreat Held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft
April 1, 2014 Leave a comment
Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft hosted a Confirmation Retreat for both Holy Cross (Bancroft) and St. Joseph’s (Lyons) Catholic Churches. Nineteen students from Bancroft, Lyons and Oakland, along with their Confirmation teachers, participated in the day-long event on Saturday, March 29th.
Four youth ministers from Lincoln Nebraska, Tim, Tyler, Molly and Sarah guided the 2015 Confirmation class through a day-long faith filled journey. The day ended with a mass presided by Father Paul Ortmeier.
Laying on the ground:
Cydnee Bonsall, Tim
Front Row:
Shannon Johnston, Molly, Kennedy Schuttler, Teagan Steinmeyer, Lupita Prieto, Grace Maline, Meghan Fischer, Natalia McBride, Kassandra Prieto, Jacob Nelson, Sarah.
Back Row:
Barb Wagener, Deb Lund, Brock Vetick, Dean Gibbs, Ben Smith, Tyler, Jacob Whitaker, Nick Ronnefeldt, Joey O’Connor, Dustin Burgett, Cole Bures, Jane Olson, Mark Olson.
Not pictured:
Miguel Madrid. Photo Courtesy of Jane Olson.
Extension for Value-Added Producer Grant Program
April 1, 2014 Leave a comment
| Lyons, NE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced an extension for grant applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant program. The extension was made necessary by changes to the program included in the 2014 Farm Bill that was recently signed into law. The new grant deadline is April 8, 2014.“In rural and small town America, the best way to create jobs and expand economic opportunity is fostering entrepreneurship and small business,” said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Center for Rural Affairs. “On America’s country roads that means value added agriculture and niche marketing. Such entrepreneurship keeps wealth in rural communities, enhances farm and ranch profitability, revives rural mainstreets and helps young families get a start in agriculture.”
Bruckner encouraged farmers or ranchers needing planning or working capital funds in order to move their value-added ideas forward, to check out the Value-Added Producer Grants program. “In particular, we urge returning Armed Forces veterans to consider accessing these grants,” added Bruckner. The extension will allow those who have already submitted funding applications to revise their proposals if the new addition of returning Armed Forces veteran farmers to the program’s priorities is applicable to their proposal. According to the Federal Register, the term ‘veteran farmer or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who has served in the Armed Forces and who has not operated a farm or ranch; or has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years. Agricultural producers, businesses majority-owned by agricultural producers, and organizations representing agricultural producers are eligible to apply for Value Added Producer Grants for business planning or working capital expenses associated with marketing value-added agricultural products. Agricultural producers include farmers, ranchers, loggers, agricultural harvesters and fishermen that engage in the production or harvesting of an agricultural commodity. Farmers and ranchers can find a working proposal template for the Value Added Producer Grant Program at the following weblink –http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/bcp_vapg.html Additionally, in an effort to assist farmers and ranchers applying for a grant, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition just re-issued their Farmers’ Guide to Value-Added Producer Grant Funding. The guide (available free at http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/) includes clear information on new program rules and contains a step-by-step description of the application and ranking processes, with helpful hints to improve a producer’s chances of obtaining funding from the highly competitive program. It also describes the program priorities for small and medium-sized family farms, beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and mid-tier value chains (regional supply networks with active farmer participation). Bruckner encouraged applicants to contact their state USDA RD offices well in advance of the deadline to discuss their projects and ask any questions about the application process. While the extension may not offer much help to those just starting out on a proposal, there will be future funding rounds, and for applicants, especially first-time applicants, the additional time could make all the difference. “At the Center for Rural Affairs, we have a lock track-record of offering help to farmers and ranchers in accessing programs such as these. And there is other help available, because these grants are popular and quite competitive,” commented Bruckner. Bruckner went on to explain that the Center for Rural Affairs continues to offer as much help to producers as possible during the application period by operating a Farm Bill Helpline where producers can call (402) 687-2100 and ask for the Farm Bill Helpline to receive assistance in understanding the Value Added Producer Grants Program. “The Farm Bill Helpline provides a direct connection to Center staff with knowledge about the rules of these programs to help applicants and potential applicants understand if the program will fit their needs,” continued Bruckner. Potential applicants can also contact the Farm Bill Helpline via email by sending an email with “Farm Bill Helpline” in the subject line to tracib@cfra.org. The Value Added Producer Grant is not the only program covered by the Center’s Farm Bill Helpline. Assistance is also available for the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative and a host of Beginning Farmer and Rancher provisions. The Center for Rural Affairs has also created Value Added Fact Sheets and other additional information, which can be accessed at http://www.cfra.org/node/2672. For more information visit: www.cfra.org |
Kat Country Hub 
Recent Comments