Amazing Photography Opportunity

June 13, 2015 Leave a comment


If you enjoy taking or just looking at amazing photographs you won’t want to miss this chance not only to see these images, but to meet the local photographer that takes them and learn the stories behind the photos.

Eric Anderson originally of Lyons is well on his way to become a nationally renowned photographer. He is based in Omaha and is a 23 year-old severe weather, landscape, astro and time lapse photographer. Eric grew up on a farm near Lyons and has a love for the outdoors. He works as the technical director for Omaha based production company, Dundee Digital and he’s agreed to come back to Burt County to share his photos and story with the community at large.

Photography is a life-long hobby for many, and for those just starting out this could be a life enriching opportunity to see opportunities beyond the lens as Eric shares his photos. Eric Anderson will be at the Bill Larson Building on the Burt County Fairgrounds in Oakland on Tuesday evening, June 30. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it is open to the public and especially to area 4-H members and other photography enthusiasts.

If you’d like to see a preview of Eric’s talent go on-line to his website at: http://cloudedlens.com/  Please join us to celebrate Eric’s talent and to increase your own skills during a question and answer session after his presentation.

 

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

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Don’t Let it Go!

January 9, 2015 Leave a comment


Don’t let your opportunity to attend the “Frozen” 4-H achievement event go without at least putting up a good snowball fight! This fun and rewarding event is this Sunday, January 11 at the Oakland Auditorium, but we need to hear from you by Friday, January 9 so we have enough pizza! Call the Extension office (374-2929) to let us know how many from your family are planning to attend.

The afternoon will begin at 4:00 p.m. with FROZEN Fun Family Activities! We’ll have a snowman building contest (inside), have “snowball fights” and a multitude of frozen fun activities. At 4:45 we will give out 4-H Member & Leader Awards followed by a 5:30 pizza dinner. Everyone is invited to attend and a list of 4-H members and leaders who will be receiving awards went out with the 4-H newsletter. If you and your family would like to check out the Burt County 4-H program, please plan to attend, we’d love to have you join in on the fun.

 

Burt County 4-H FFA Market Beef Weigh Day

Saturday, January 24 is the date for the Burt County Market Beef weighing. Johnnie Johnson will again host the event in his HEATED barn area on the farm at 1340 County Road E, Craig, NE. Weighing will be done from 8:30-11:00 a.m. DNA sampling will again be done again if you wish to show at State Fair and/or Ak-Sar-Ben. The cost will be $6.00 per sample. Ak-Sar-Ben exhibitors will have the opportunity to show their market animal in a “Breed” class as specified in the premium book. When DNA is being collected this breed information needs to be documented on the DNA envelope. This should go on the line that has “Calving Date” under it. This information is only needed if the exhibitor is interested in showing their animal in a breed class.

If you cannot make the Burt County Weigh Day please call the Extension Office at 402-374-2929 to find alternate dates in other counties.

 

Burt County Fair Foundation Kickoff Event

The Burt County Fair Foundation will again host a Fair Kickoff/Fundraiser Event using the theme “Forever in Blue Jeans.” The event will be Saturday, February 28 and it will be held in the Tekamah Auditorium. Tickets are now on sale at the Extension office in Burt County and many local banks! Get yours now so you don’t miss out on the fun!

 

Auction Items Needed for Silent Auction

4-H Clubs, 4-H members and anyone else is invited to contribute items for the Burt County Fair Foundation Kickoff’s Silent Auction on February 28th. Check your treasury, take up a collection, or just see what you’d like to make or contribute!

If you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established business this could be a great way to get your business noticed by people across the county.

Gift certificates, craft items, business vouchers, you name it and it can be donated. If you need ideas or you have a larger valued item to donate for the live auction you can contact Burt County Fair Foundation President, Jason Penke at 402-377-1657 or Mary Loftis at the Extension Office at 402-374-2929 for more information or to drop off an item.

 

 

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

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

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The Storm and its Aftermath/4-H Reminders

June 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Everyone has their “storm stories” from last week and they are all interesting to hear. Thankfully except for a few minor injuries, the main damage has just been “stuff”. But, when it comes to cleaning up, and trying to replace this “stuff” we face the hard part.

The financial damage of the storms will continue to cause impact this year and for years down the road. Decisions must be made: whether to replant crops or not; what kind of tree to replant which might hold up better during future storms; and how or who can you trust to repair, refurbish and/or remodel damage. Of course insurance rates will likely go up after having so many claims in an area and/or individuals may choose to increase the amount of insurance they carry.

Emotional damage is also real. Our feelings of safety and security have been challenged. We experienced real fear and danger and it will be a long time before many of us take storm warnings for granted like we tend to do.

Our communities will be scarred for a long time from the damage, but what is strange to me is how after things get cleaned up it’s hard to remember what it looked like before.  We lost some big grain bins in Craig. After the crushed metal was cleared away, all that’s left are giant concrete foundation circles. It’s hard for me to imagine how it used to look. Maybe its “amnesia” and probably not necessarily a good thing, but it helps me face the future and not dwell on the past.

Hopefully everyone impacted by the storms will be able to successfully recover from its effects in as short of time as possible. And thanks to ALL who helped with the recovery, from volunteers to those employed to help with clean-up, and repair, to insurance adjustors and all the power company people and many, many more. Taking a shower by candlelight sounds better than it really was, but the hot water held out!

 

Quick 4-H Reminders:

June 16 – Aquaculture & Fishing Workshop Dodge County Extension Office, Fremont 10:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Registration deadline is June 11.

June 17 – Experiment with Color Composition Workshop, Creative Connections, Oakland 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration deadline is June 11.

June 17 – Dodge County Family Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest, Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children, Leonard A. Johnson Building, 2415 North Main Street, Fremont. 6:00 Judging Clinic, 7:00 Judging Contest.

June 19-20 – Making Money Camp, Burt County Fairgrounds, Oakland.  Registration deadline is June 11.

June 24 – Patriotic T-shirt Workshop, Creative Connections, Oakland 1:00-2:30 p.m. Registration deadline is June 19.

June 26 – Let’s Paint Workshop, 4-H Kitchen, Burt County Fairgrounds, 9:00-Noon Registration deadline is June 19.

July 1 – Clover Kid Camp (ages 5-7) 9:00-Noon or 1:00-4:00 Burt County Fairgrounds, Oakland, Registration deadline is June 25.

If you have any questions about these activities please call the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

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Beware of Online Summer Vacation Rental Scams

May 30, 2014 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

Planning you summer vacation? The internet is a budget conscious planner’s best friend, but watch out for these typical rental scams.

Craigslist Cons:

Con artists will lift a legitimate ad from Craigslist or another website, attract attention by adding a bargain-basement rental price, including a fake email address, and then ask prospective renters to wire money or send a prepaid debit card for a security deposit.

 

Only in Your Dreams:

With budget rates attached to a too-good-to-be-true listing, scammers try to get your money before you find out the property just doesn’t exist.

 

Full Service Fraud:

In more advanced scams, scammers create entire websites highlighting a variety of rental properties around the world at attractive prices. The sites come complete with detailed photos and descriptions of the properties, information on local attractions, renter testimonials, and currency exchange calculators.
What to Do:

  • Use a reputable website, travel agency, or online broker to find your rental.
  • Do your research and check that the person offering the rental is the actual owner, and verify that the address is real.  For example, use Google image search to see if the photos in the listing are actually duplicates, and search for the actual street address to see what comes up.
  • Never wire money; paying with PayPal or a credit card can offer some extra security.
  • Beware of below-market rate rental offers. Understandably, consumers will be tempted to act quickly to take advantage of a “great” deal. Con artists depend on that.
  • Be wary when a property owner claims to be outside of the United States.
  • Try to get referrals from friends who might have some vacation properties they can recommend and are familiar with.

Never respond to an email offering vacation rentals to avoid common phishing schemes.

If you’ve been scammed, notify local law enforcement and your Attorney General. Go here to find out where to report fraud and be sure to warn others by telling your story on our Fraud Watch map.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of identity theft or fraud, contact the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Center at 877-908-3360 or the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-234-7119.

 

 

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

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Pearson Demonstrates Robot

May 30, 2014 Leave a comment


Miles Pearson of Oakland proudly demonstrated his robot as it follows the black tape line and parks in the “garage” just like he programmed it to do during the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week. The robotics workshop was conducted by UNL Extension Educator, Carroll Welte assisted by summer intern, Nick Bohannon.

Miles Pearson of Oakland proudly demonstrated his robot as it follows the black tape line and parks in the “garage” just like he programmed it to do during the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week. The robotics workshop was conducted by UNL Extension Educator, Carroll Welte assisted by summer intern, Nick Bohannon.

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