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October 25, 2013 Leave a comment
Halloween/Fall decorating at Kay Steinmeyer’s house. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
This tree is located on First Street in Oakland, by Lloyd and Eunice Persson’s home. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 25, 2013 Leave a comment
Mary Loftis gives instructions to the Tekamah-Herman Computer and FBLA Club members on how to use the Medicare Plan Finder as they prepare to assist Medicare recipients October 30 at the school.
Photo Courtesy Mary Loftis.
Linda Bisanz, Nebraska SHIIP Volunteer assists Mark Heaney in the computer classroom as he learns how to compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans with the on-line Medicare Plan finder program. Call UNL Extension at 402-374-2929 to make an appointment to get help comparing your Medicare plans so you don’t pay too much next year.
Photo Courtesy Mary Loftis.
Medicare Open Enrollment Comparisons have already netted savings for Medicare recipients at the first Open Enrollment event. Medicare Drug plan comparisons were made last week at the Chatt Center in Tekamah by SHIIP Volunteers, Linda Bisanz and myself for 28 individuals. From these comparisons several individuals went home with the peace of mind knowing their current prescription drug plan will continue to be the best value for them next year with their current prescriptions.
Fifteen individuals compared their prescriptions and current plan to all 30 plans available and yielded savings as their reward. The savings varied from $123 to $1,133 for the year with a grand total estimated savings for the day being $7120.00. That money stays in our communities to pay bills, buy groceries and donate to church and community funds.
Several other individuals either didn’t have all the information they needed for a true comparison or had doctor appointments coming up in the near future and decided to wait to make a plan decision at a later event or appointment.
If you had the least expensive drug plan last year and still take no prescriptions, you will pay $171 too much during 2014 for coverage. Last year’s lowest premium plan is no longer the least expensive and has increased $11.90/month while the new lowest premium plan for 2014 is just $12.60/month.
How do you know? You compare…and we’ve got help available for you.
The Tekamah-Herman High School Computer and FBLA Clubs sponsored by Linda Farrens are again helping out at Open Enrollment Events. Eighteen of these talented high school students were recently trained how to use the Medicare Plan Finder to assist Medicare recipients with their comparisons. I encouraged them to offer their new skills to grandparents and neighbors who might appreciate their help and the savings or peace of mind it could provide. Many of these students are excited to help out during a Medicare Open Enrollment Event scheduled in the Tekamah-Herman High School Computer Room #106 on Wednesday, October 30.
With their excellent computer skills and Medicare helpers like Linda Bisanz, Linda Farrens and I around to answer questions or explain information it becomes an outstanding win/win situation. Medicare recipients win by having their prescription drug plans compared and possibly saving money by enrolling in a less expensive plan. The high school students learn how to work with this clientele and it results in a very interesting and unique experience to put on their scholarship and application forms. If they are able to save their clients’ money it has an even bigger impact!
Make plans now to compare your prescriptions to the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans during one of the Open Enrollment Events in Burt County. I’d especially invite you to be part of the Tekamah-Herman High School event on Wednesday, October 30. Call the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 for an appointment at this event or one of the 9 others remaining in Burt County.
Anyone from any county or even state may have their plans compared at these events as the comparison is based on the zip code where the Medicare recipient lives.
No matter where you live, if you are on Medicare, you’ll only know if you could save money if you make an on-line comparison. Call for an appointment now and you’ll smile all the way to the bank next year!
Mary Loftis,
Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929
Fax: (402) 374-2930
Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu
October 25, 2013 Leave a comment
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Nebraska USDA Rural Development have obtained funding for a regional economic development plan for Northeast Nebraska. The region includes Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Colfax, Butler, Nance Boone, Antelope, Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, Platte, Wayne, Stanton, Butler and Pierce counties.
The plan will be an outcome of the Stronger Economies Together program that has been successful in 50 regions in 28 states since 2009. Stronger Economies Together is a collaborative program between the United States Department of Agriculture, the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University.
UNL Extension Educator, Carroll Welte, and USDA Rural Development Program Support Director, Roger Meeks are recruiting civic and business leaders in Northeast Nebraska to participate in the SET program. They are looking for individuals who can identify opportunities and correlate them with business development and job creation.
According to Ms. Welte, the state advisory team for the SET program is waiting for The Purdue Center to furnish them with a sophisticated data set based on Northeast Nebraska’s industry clusters. Tim Lemmons, an Extension Educator and economist at the Northeast Research and Extension Center in Norfolk added “having access to otherwise restricted business data will help to focus the strengths of the region towards a measurable impact. Knowing where the holes are and what industry clusters fit the need, will help economic developers target and attract successful businesses to their communities.”
Lemmons, along with Dr. Ken Lemke, an economist with NPPD and Dr. Randy Cantrell, a rural sociologist with the Rural Futures Institute, will present the data to the SET participants in layman’s terms. In turn, the economic developers, civic and business leaders will look for opportunities for business and job creation. Sheryl Hiatt, Field Service Manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development said “the hard work comes in setting three to five goals and writing an economic development plan that 17 counties can work together on over the next five years or so.”
The Stronger Economies Together program will kick off in late November. Participants will be asked to meet monthly for a half day to work through the process, as defined by the national SET program. The program will be augmented with tours and presentations correlating with the planning process.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Stronger Economies Together participation will help Northeast Nebraska obtain greater funding for regional economic development projects.
For more information or to participate in the SET meetings, contact Carroll Welte at UNL Extension in Burt County, (402) 374-2929 or cwelte1@unl.edu or Roger Meeks at (402) 437-5742 or Roger.Meeks@ne.usda.gov.
Source: Carroll Welte, Extension Educator, UNL Extension Burt County, 111 N 13th St. Suite 6, Tekamah, NE 68061, cwelte1@unl.edu.
October 25, 2013 Leave a comment
Story courtesy of Wisner Chronicle
The Wisner-Pilger Gator softball team repeated as the third place district placer, grabbing those honors from this week’s Class B-3 tourney in Blair.
Runner-up Bennington had W-P’s number, upending the Gators twice in the tourney, including a 2-0 win Friday in the game to determine the second finalist to face eventual district champion Blair in the finals.
Getting runners on base was not the problem for W-P, but getting the runners home was. The locals pounded out seven hits, but stranded seven baserunners in the loss.
Bennington picked up a 1-0 jump in the opening inning on back-to-back doubles, then added the game’s only other run in the fifth for insurance.
W-P was led by Kayli Wheaton and Samantha Liermann with two hits each. Heidi Miller suffered the mound loss, closing with a pair of strikeouts and just six hits given up.
In a wild matchup with Bennington on Thursday, the locals were tied with the Badgers 3-3 in the fifth inning, but saw things take a wild turn.
In the top of the inning, Bennington’s lead-off hitter lined out to center, but was awarded first base as an illegal pitch was called. The runner moved up on a wild pitch, then scored on back-to-back fielder’s choice groundouts.
In the latter half of the inning, a one-out walk and single put runners on first and second for the locals. Kari Liermann followed with a single that appeared to plate the tying run, however, W-P’s Krista Ott was called out at the plate.
W-P put runners in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, but neither plated to tie the game.
Eve Ortmeier led W-P in the loss with two hits and two runs driven in. Heidi Miller also had two hits.
The three wins in the tourney began with a 10-3 first round victory over Lutheran High NE.
The locals trailed 0-1 entering the last of the first inning, but made quick work of erasing the deficit. A four-hit first inning included doubles from Alexis Knust and Samantha Liermann.
Things were tight through two innings, but W-P broke the game open in the last of the third inning with four runs. The rally was helped out by hits from Suzanne Ras and Kari Liermann.
Knust led a ten-hit effort with three hits from her lead-off position. Wheaton added two. Miller picked up the mound win.
After the initial loss to Bennington, the locals moved back into title contention with wins over David City/East Butler 10-0 and DC West 8-1.
Knust led once again with two hits in the win over DC/EB, while she was joined with two hits in the win over DCW by Ras and Miller.
Ras earned the pitching win over DC/EB and Miller the win over DCW.
The 3-2 tourney effort closed the 2013 campaign for W-P with a 14-17 record.
In action leading into the tourney, W-P closed the regular season with a 12-2 setback at Guardian Angels CC.
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
Michael G. Nelson Sr., “Mick”.
MICHAEL G. NELSON SR., “MICK”, 74 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at Oakland-Mercy Hospital in Oakland.
Mick was born May 21, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska, the first child of C. Gordon and Elaine (Engdahl) Nelson. He attended country school through the eighth grade at District No. 52 and graduated from Oakland-Craig High School in 1957.
On March 25, 1962, twenty-two year old Mick met and married the love of his life, Susie Reich. They are the parents of three children, Mike Jr., Marty and Mindy. Mick farmed three miles east of Oakland on the homestead established by his great grandfather. He and his dad fed cattle and hogs, along with planting crops.
Mick was an active member of Masonic Lodge #91, A.F. & A.M., Eastern Star and Shriners. He played Taps for 45 years for Veteran Military Honors and on Memorial Day. Mick also served on the Oakland-Craig School board for eight years, was a member of the Oakland Jaycee’s and Oakland Community Players, where he built sets, set up sound systems and lighting.
Mick was an avid carpenter and wood worker. He crafted everything from custom made memory boxes and a rocking horse for the grandchildren to cabinetry and furniture. He also built stock cars, the Jaycee jumper car and numerous pieces of farm equipment.
He loved spending time with his family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, C Gordon and Elaine Nelson; maternal and paternal grandparents; father- and mother-in-law, Julius and Velore Reich.
Survivors include his wife, Susie Nelson of Oakland; sons and daughter-in-law, Mike Jr. and Mattie Nelson, Marty Nelson all of Oakland; daughter, Mindy Nelson of Orland, FL; grand-children, Asa and Jordan Mattson, Ethan Caban, James Hutzell, Brandi and Jesse Cady; step grandchildren, Ginny and Austin Crane, Victoria Hutzell, Morgan Swanson; four great grandsons and two great granddaughters; sister, Petra Nelson of Champaign, IL, brother, Dave Randall of Mankato, MN; one nephew and one niece and a host of friends.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 26, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland.
VISITATION: The Family will receive friends Friday, October 25, 2013, from 5 – 8 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m.MASONIC SERVICE by Masonic Lodge #91, A.F. & A.M. all at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation Saturday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.
BURIAL: Mount Hope Cemetery, West Point, Nebraska, at a later date.
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.
pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
Angie Graham, Kristi Dahlgren, Pauline Marr, Denise Gilliland and Jeff Marr, Easter 2008. Photo courtesy Kat Country Hub.
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
“There has been an 82% increase in the number of individuals being served over the last five years for domestic violence in our five county service area,” stated Sarah Coday, Outreach Coordinator for the Crisis Center for Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault.
The five counties covered are Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders and Washington Counties.
“The need for domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention and intervention services in our community is critical and, unfortunately, that need is increasing,” Sarah said.
The crisis center, established in 1982, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “The Crisis Center provides services at no charge,” Sarah stated.
The Crisis Center provides many services. “The staff provides advocacy, intervention, case management, life skills and education to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Sarah said. “Prevention and education programming is provided in our schools systems and community.”
There were many calls in Burt County in 2011. “There were 166 calls for help, 25 adults with 24 children received face-to-face crisis intervention and support services. 97 victim/survivor support groups were attended,” Sarah stated. “On 59 occasions, criminal justice support and court accompaniment were provided, offering support and safety planning.”
Domestic violence is not always reported. “Because the abuse and battering typically happen behind closed doors, it’s easy for us to deny it’s existence,” Sarah said. “The harsh reality is that nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence, and it’s happening right here in your community.”
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To reach the Crisis Center, call 402-721-4340 or email www.crisiscenterfremont.org. The office is located at 141 South Union, Fremont, NE 68025.
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
We are looking for host sites in Burt, Cuming, and Dakota counties for our 2014 HHW collections. We are also interested in a community to host the 2014 scrap computer collection. If any city or towns in Washington , Burt, Cuming, Dakota, Dodge, or Thurston counties are interested in hosting these collections next year, please contact the RC&D office at 402-685-4020 or email jschultz@nlhrcd.org.
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
By Patty Plugge
BCEDC
A Burt County & Communities Housing Study is being conducted by the Burt County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC). The Housing Study is being completed with the assistance of Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., a Nebraska based community planning and research consulting firm. The Housing Study, scheduled for completion by February, 2014, is being funded by a Housing Study Program Grant provided by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, with matching funds from the BCEDC and Black Hills Energy.
The Housing Study area will include the Communities of Tekamah, Lyons, Oakland, Decatur and Craig and the rural, unincorporated areas of Burt County. The current County Housing Study was completed by Hanna:Keelan in 2008.
A Burt County Housing Steering Committee will be formed to provide guidance in the development of the Housing Study. The first meeting of the committee, which will meet three times over the course of the study, is open to the public. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd, 5:30 p.m. at the Oakland City Building, Rosen Meeing Room.
The BCEDC, in partnership with the Communities, County, Three Rivers Housing Development Corporation, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership and other public and private local entities, have kept the facilitation and implementation of new housing and the improvement of existing housing stock at the forefront of the BCEDC’s community and economic development programs.
The Burt County & Communities Housing Study will include important population, income and economic data, a housing stock analysis, strategies for affordable housing development, a Five-Year “Housing Action Plan” and funding options for future owner and rental housing development and housing rehabilitation projects.
“A new Housing Study will be very important in keeping pace with the community and economic development goals and objectives of the County,” according to Patty Plugge, Executive Director of the BCEDC. “The current Housing Study has been extremely helpful in combining housing needs with business recruitment and expansion opportunities, but we need a new Study to match the future economic initiatives of the County.”
“The citizens of Burt County will have the opportunity to participate directly in the development of a new Housing Study, by completing a survey and attending housing informational meetings,” states Plugge . “The new County & Communities Housing Study will address the housing needs and wants of the entire citizenry of Burt County, including all age and income household sectors. Special attention will be given the need for varied housing types for the Burt County workforce and elderly households.”
Any questions and/or comments regarding the new Burt County & Communities Housing Study can be directed to Patty Plugge, 402.374.2953, burtcoedc@abbnebraska.com.
October 24, 2013 Leave a comment
Harvest on the black top road going west from Oakland. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Harvest on the black top road going west of Oakland. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Kat Country Hub 
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