HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats have spent most of the season overwhelming opponents with offensive firepower. Now they will try to carry that momentum into the postseason.

The sixth-seeded Wildcats will open Class D1 playoff action at 3 p.m. Friday when they host No. 11 Centura in Hartington.

Hartington-Newcastle enters the playoffs with an 8-1 record and a 44.1111 NSAA points average, while Centura is 7-2 with a 41.2222 average.

The Wildcats finished the regular season by scoring 483 points and allowing 266, good for averages of 53.7 points scored and 29.6 points allowed per game. Centura scored 405 points and gave up 231, averaging 45.0 points on offense and 25.7 on defense.

Hartington-Newcastle has already been tested by strong competition. The Wildcats went 4-1 against teams that reached the playoffs and 5-1 against opponents with winning records. Their only loss came Oct. 16 against Crofton, 62-13.

Centura went 0-2 against playoff teams. The Centurions lost 70-14 at Ravenna and 50-6 at Sandy Creek, but otherwise handled their schedule well and enter the playoffs on a two-game winning streak.

The Wildcats closed the regular season with a 55-34 victory over West Holt after falling to Crofton the week before. Before that loss, Hartington-Newcastle had won seven straight, including victories over Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Ponca, Elkhorn Valley, Gordon-Rushville and Lutheran High Northeast.

Centura also has shown it can score points in bunches. The Centurions opened the year with wins over Twin River, Fairbury, Gibbon and West Holt before hitting a rough stretch with losses to Ravenna and Sandy Creek. They bounced back by beating Arcadia/Loup City, Kimball and Hastings St. Cecilia.

The Wildcats feature one of the more dangerous backfields in Class D1.

Quarterback Austin Sudbeck has thrown for 910 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions, according to available reported statistics. He has also rushed for 876 yards, giving Hartington-Newcastle a dual-threat leader capable of making big plays with his arm or his legs.

Running back Jason Heimes has added 1,005 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while Kayne Gratzfeld has been Sudbeck’s top receiving target with 18 catches for 436 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, Ty Opfer leads the Wildcats with 67 tackles in available reports, while C. Cavanaugh has recorded four sacks. Heimes has also intercepted two passes.

Centura’s biggest threat is Wyatt Dvorak, a true dual-threat quarterback who has piled up 419 passing yards and 1,327 rushing yards in nine reported games. The Centurions also get solid production from C. Iron Horse, who had earlier reported totals of 516 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, and Fletcher Fries, who has 194 receiving yards, 64 tackles and five interceptions in available statistics.

One of the more interesting comparisons between the teams comes through common opponent West Holt. Hartington-Newcastle beat the Huskies 55-34, while Centura defeated them 50-19.

That does not guarantee anything Friday, but it does suggest both teams are capable of moving the football.

The biggest question may be whether Centura can slow Hartington-Newcastle’s offense.

The Wildcats scored 30 or more points in seven of their nine games and reached 50 or more six times. Centura has been productive offensively as well, but its two losses came against the best teams on its schedule.

If the Wildcats can protect the football and limit Dvorak’s big-play ability, they should like their chances at home. If Centura can shorten the game with its ground attack and force Hartington-Newcastle into mistakes, the Centurions could make things interesting.

The winner will advance to the Class D1 quarterfinals Nov. 6 against the winner of the game between No. 3 Stanton and No. 14 Alma.

For Hartington-Newcastle, the task is clear.

The Wildcats have shown they can score with just about anyone. Now they need to prove they can turn that regular-season success into a playoff run.

The Bears opened with a 36-24 victory over Creighton before routing Niobrara-Verdigre 56-14.

Their only setback came Sept. 11 against Class D1 Hartington-Newcastle, which handed LCC a narrow 42-36 defeat.

Since that loss, the Bears have been nearly unstoppable.

LCC defeated Bloomfield 41-14, blanked Bancroft-Rosalie 70-0 and rolled past Tri County Northeast 70-22.

The Bears followed with a 68-28 victory over Oakland-Craig and a 64-8 win over Lyons-Decatur Northeast before closing the regular season with the hard-fought victory over Howells-Dodge.

LCC has scored at least 30 points in eight of nine games, including four contests in which the Bears reached the 60-point mark.

Leading the offensive charge has been quarterback Paxton Hoeppner, who has passed for 1,126 yards in eight games with reported statistics.

Hoeppner's passing totals cover eight games because he missed the Oakland-Craig contest with an injury.

The Bears demonstrated their offensive depth that night when freshman quarterback Alex Kvols stepped into the starting role and helped direct LCC to a 68-28 victory.

Kvols completed nine of 11 passes for 83 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.

Tanner Thompson helped take the pressure off the freshman quarterback, rushing for 214 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries.

Drey Puppe added 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns on six carries while also catching a touchdown pass.

After leading 24-14 at halftime, the Bears erupted for 30 points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

The performance illustrated the depth and versatility of an LCC offense capable of producing points with different players directing the attack.

Thompson has been a workhorse in the Bears' rushing attack, gaining 765 yards in nine games with reported statistics.

Puppe has also been a dangerous offensive weapon, leading LCC's receiving corps with 543 yards in nine reported games.

The combination of Hoeppner's passing ability, Thompson's powerful running and Puppe's big-play potential has given opposing defenses plenty to worry about.

Defense also making its mark

While LCC's offense has grabbed much of the attention, the Bears' defense has also produced some impressive performances.

LCC has allowed 176 points in nine games, holding five opponents to 14 points or fewer.

The Bears' most dominant defensive effort came Sept. 25 when they blanked Bancroft-Rosalie 70-0.

Dayton Korth has been a defensive leader, recording 88 tackles in nine games with reported statistics.

Korth was especially impressive against Oakland-Craig, registering 16 tackles, including five for losses. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards.

Parker Hoeppner contributed 11 tackles in that contest, while Puppe added 10.

The Bears will need another strong defensive effort against a Bruning-Davenport-Shickley team that has been playing its best football during the second half of the season.

Eagles enter playoffs on winning streak

BDS has experienced a much different journey to the postseason.

The Eagles struggled early, dropping three of their first four games before turning things around.

They enter Friday's contest riding a five-game winning streak.

During that stretch, BDS defeated Fullerton 27-6, Shelton 28-12, Newman Grove/St. Edward 46-6, Kenesaw 41-14 and Superior 52-24.

The Eagles have outscored those five opponents 194-62.

BDS finished the regular season with 250 points scored and 166 allowed, averaging 27.8 points per game while surrendering 18.4.

The Eagles' offense has been led by quarterback Layton Fiala, who has passed for 419 yards and rushed for another 412 yards in eight games with available statistics.

Kyler Koch has contributed 314 receiving yards in eight reported games.

The Eagles will need that offensive versatility against an LCC team that has consistently put pressure on opponents to keep pace on the scoreboard.

Experience in close games could matter

One of the interesting differences between the two teams is their experience in closely contested games.

LCC has played two games decided by eight points or fewer.

The Bears lost to Hartington-Newcastle by six points before defeating Howells-Dodge by two.

BDS, meanwhile, has not played a game decided by eight points or fewer this season.

For LCC, the Howells-Dodge victory provided valuable experience heading into the playoffs.

After spending much of the season overwhelming opponents with offensive firepower, the Bears were forced to battle through a tightly contested game against a 7-2 opponent.

LCC finished 3-1 against opponents with winning records, defeating Creighton (7-2), Tri County Northeast (5-4) and Howells-Dodge (7-2).

Its only loss came against Hartington-Newcastle, which finished the regular season 8-1.

The Bears' nine opponents compiled a combined 39-42 record.

Perhaps most importantly, LCC has shown an ability to respond to adversity.

The Bears bounced back from their only loss with six straight victories and overcame the absence of their starting quarterback to post one of their highest-scoring performances of the season.

They also proved against Howells-Dodge that they could win when points were much harder to come by.

What's at stake?

LCC earned the No. 3 postseason seed with a 44.0000 NSAA points average.

BDS received the No. 14 seed with a 40.1111 points average.

The winner of Friday's contest will advance to the Class D2 quarterfinals Nov. 6 against the winner of the game between No. 6 Creighton and No. 11 Wilcox-Hildreth.

A victory by the Bears could set up an interesting rematch with Creighton, a team LCC defeated 36-24 in its season opener.

But first, LCC must contend with an Eagles squad that has won five consecutive games and gained confidence during the second half of the season.

For the Bears, the challenge will be maintaining the offensive production that carried them through the regular season while continuing to improve defensively.

They've already demonstrated they can win by overwhelming opponents with points.

Their district championship victory over Howells-Dodge showed they can also prevail when every possession matters.

Now the Bears hope that combination will carry them deep into the Class D2 playoffs.

Wynot takes three-game winning streak into Class D3 postseason opener

WYNOT — The Wynot Blue Devils face a challenging road test Friday as they begin their quest for another state football championship.

The ninth-seeded Blue Devils (7-2), who captured last year's Class D2 state championship, will travel to Burwell to meet the No. 8 Longhorns (7-2) in a 6 p.m. Class D3 playoff contest at Bob Price Field.

Wynot enters the postseason riding a three-game winning streak, while Burwell hopes to rebound from a disappointing loss in its regular-season finale.

The teams are separated by just one spot in the playoff bracket and only a fraction of a point in the NSAA's postseason ratings.

Burwell earned the No. 8 seed with a 43.2222 points average, while Wynot claimed the No. 9 position with a 42.8889 average.

The similarities don't end there.

Both teams finished 3-2 against opponents with winning records and 2-2 against teams that qualified for the postseason.

Their regular-season opponents even compiled identical 42-39 records.

But while the teams appear evenly matched in several categories, they have taken different paths to the playoffs.

Blue Devils gaining momentum

Wynot has been playing some of its best football during the final weeks of the regular season.

After suffering a 33-22 setback to Wausa on Oct. 2, the Blue Devils bounced back with three consecutive victories.

They blanked North Central 43-0, defeated Boyd County 48-20 and closed the regular season with a 36-12 victory over Randolph.

The three-game surge helped Wynot finish the regular season with seven victories while positioning the Blue Devils for another postseason run.

The Blue Devils have scored 291 points in nine games, averaging 32.3 per contest while surrendering 19.7.

Wynot's defense has been particularly impressive down the stretch, allowing just 32 points in its last three contests.

The Blue Devils also have proven they can compete against quality opponents.

They defeated Guardian Angels Central Catholic 32-27 and O'Neill St. Mary's 22-6, with both teams finishing the regular season with winning records.

Wynot's two losses came against strong competition.

The Blue Devils fell to Archangels Catholic 34-6 and Wausa 33-22. Both opponents finished the regular season 8-1.

Nelson sparks victory over Randolph

Wynot's regular-season finale provided another example of the Blue Devils' ability to take control of a game.

After building a 16-6 halftime lead over Randolph on Oct. 23, Wynot scored 20 unanswered points in the second half before the Cardinals added a late touchdown.

The Blue Devils finished with a 36-12 victory, rolling up 338 yards of total offense while limiting Randolph to just 149.

Wyatt Nelson provided much of the offensive firepower, scoring three touchdowns.

Nelson scored on a 10-yard reverse in the second quarter, added another 10-yard touchdown run in the third and broke loose on a 51-yard scoring run in the fourth.

Lane Heimes led the rushing attack with 136 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown run early in the second half.

Quarterback Nixen Heimes completed eight passes for 88 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown strike to Kason Hans.

Hans finished with five receptions for 41 yards.

Wynot rushed for 245 yards on 44 attempts and added 93 team passing yards in the victory.

The Blue Devil defense also played a major role.

Jace Lange led Wynot with 12 tackles, while Nelson added 10, Cash Lenzen nine and Nixen Heimes eight.

After Randolph trimmed the deficit to 8-6 early in the second quarter, the Blue Devils responded with 28 consecutive points to put the contest out of reach.

The victory gave Wynot three straight wins heading into the postseason and provided another confidence boost for a team hoping to make another deep playoff run.

Blue Devils feature several offensive weapons

Wynot has relied on a combination of running and passing to keep opposing defenses off balance.

Nixen Heimes has passed for at least 456 yards in seven games with available statistical reports, while also providing a rushing threat from the quarterback position.

Lane Heimes has been one of the Blue Devils' leading rushers, gaining 537 yards in the available season statistics.

His 136-yard performance against Randolph illustrates how important the running game has become to Wynot's offensive attack.

Nelson has also been a dangerous rushing threat, particularly near the goal line and on plays that allow him to get into the open field.

His three touchdowns against Randolph helped the Blue Devils take command of the contest.

Kason Hans has emerged as another offensive weapon, catching five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals.

Defensively, Nelson has been one of Wynot's leaders, with 103 tackles listed in the most recent season statistics.

L. Heimes has recorded three sacks, while B. Hans has contributed three interceptions in available reports.

The Blue Devils will need another strong defensive effort against a Burwell team that features one of the more productive rushing attacks in Class D3.

Longhorns feature dangerous running attack

Burwell has relied heavily on its ground game while averaging 42.7 points per contest.

The Longhorns have scored 384 points in nine games while surrendering 191, an average of 21.2 points allowed per game.

Quarterback D. Dawe has been one of the team's most dangerous weapons.

In eight games with available statistical reports, Dawe has rushed for 1,176 yards while also passing for 355 yards and three touchdowns.

Dawe has completed 27 of 40 passes with just one interception.

B. Jensen gives the Longhorns another formidable rushing threat.

Jensen has gained 1,007 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

The combination gives Burwell two players with more than 1,000 reported rushing yards.

Jensen has also been a defensive standout, recording 56 tackles and six interceptions.

The biggest challenge for Wynot may be containing Burwell's running game and forcing the Longhorns into passing situations.

If Burwell is able to establish its rushing attack early, the Longhorns could control the tempo and limit Wynot's offensive opportunities.

Burwell looks to rebound

The Longhorns have experienced considerably more difficulty during the final weeks of the regular season.

Burwell suffered a 26-20 loss to Twin Loup on Oct. 9 before bouncing back with a convincing 56-8 victory over Elgin Public-Pope John.

The Longhorns then closed the regular season with a 44-14 loss to Central Valley.

Both Twin Loup and Central Valley finished the season with 8-1 records.

Burwell's strongest victory came against Anselmo-Merna, a 7-2 playoff qualifier, which the Longhorns defeated 41-38.

While Burwell has shown it can score points in bunches, its offense has struggled against some of the better teams on its schedule.

The Longhorns managed just 20 points against Twin Loup and 14 against Central Valley.

For Wynot, limiting Burwell's big plays while establishing its own running game could be the difference.

Common opponents provide interesting comparison

The two teams faced a pair of common opponents during the regular season, and both went 2-0 in those contests.

Burwell defeated Elgin Public-Pope John 56-8, while Wynot posted a 36-21 victory over the Wolfpack.

Against O'Neill St. Mary's, the Blue Devils turned in the more convincing performance.

Wynot defeated the Cardinals 22-6, while Burwell escaped with a 27-22 victory.

Although comparing results against common opponents does not necessarily predict the outcome of another game, the performances suggest the Blue Devils are capable of matching up well against the Longhorns.

Another interesting comparison comes from their experiences in close games.

Burwell has played three contests decided by eight points or fewer, winning two.

Wynot has played just one such contest, a victory over Guardian Angels Central Catholic.

That experience could be important if Friday's game remains close late in the fourth quarter.

What's at stake?

Wynot enters the postseason ranked No. 7 in the Oct. 18 coaches poll, while Burwell was ranked fifth.

The Longhorns hold the edge in scoring average, 42.7 to 32.3, while the Blue Devils have allowed fewer points per game, 19.7 to 21.2.

The winner of Friday's contest will advance to the Class D3 quarterfinals Nov. 6 against the winner of the game between No. 1 Lawrence-Nelson and No. 16 O'Neill St. Mary's.

For Wynot, the challenge is considerable.

The Blue Devils must travel west to face a dangerous Burwell squad featuring two 1,000-yard rushers and an offense capable of producing points quickly.

But Wynot has demonstrated its own ability to score, and its defense has been playing well during the final stretch of the regular season.

With three consecutive victories providing momentum, the Blue Devils hope to take the first step toward another deep postseason run.

The records are identical, the seeds are nearly even and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Now the Blue Devils will try to prove that their best football is still ahead of them.

HARTINGTON — The numbers tell the story.

Nine games. Nine victories. Five games scoring at least 50 points. Three shutouts. And not a single opponent able to come within three touchdowns of the Cedar Catholic Trojans.

Yes, these numbers tell the story of a team that has dominated its competition from the opening kickoff of the season.

Now comes the real test.

The unbeaten Trojans (9-0), seeded third in the Class C2 state football playoffs, will begin their postseason journey at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, when they host No. 14 Lincoln Lutheran (5-4) at Russ Hochstein Field.

The two teams have never met before.

Cedar Catholic has been nearly unstoppable this fall, outscoring its opponents 432-54 while averaging 48 points per game and surrendering just six.

The Trojans have scored at least 30 points in every contest, surpassed the 50-point mark five times and held seven of their nine opponents to seven points or fewer.

Their average margin of victory has been a staggering 42 points.

Lincoln Lutheran, meanwhile, has taken a considerably different road to the playoffs.

The Warriors finished the regular season 5-4, scoring 235 points while allowing 244.

They average 26.1 points per game while surrendering 27.1.

Despite their four losses, the Warriors have faced several quality opponents and demonstrated an ability to win close contests.

Lincoln Lutheran enters the postseason riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Fillmore Central 30-27 and Hastings St. Cecilia 31-14.

But the Warriors will face a considerably tougher challenge against a Cedar Catholic squad that has dominated opponents on both sides of the football.

Haberer leads explosive offense

Much of Cedar Catholic's offensive success has come through the arm of quarterback Grady Haberer, who has put together an impressive senior campaign.

With the addition of previously unreported statistics from the Trojans' 61-7 victory over Summerland on Oct. 9, Haberer's season passing totals have climbed to 1,761 yards and 29 touchdowns.

He has completed 97 of 135 passes, connecting on 71.9% of his attempts while throwing just two interceptions.

Haberer's ability to distribute the football and avoid costly mistakes has made the Trojan passing attack especially difficult to defend.

Cooper Hochstein has emerged as one of his most dangerous receiving targets, hauling in 28 passes for 693 yards and nine touchdowns.

Hochstein is averaging nearly 25 yards per reception, giving Cedar Catholic a big-play threat capable of changing the complexion of a game in a matter of seconds.

The Trojans have been equally dangerous on the ground.

Easton Hochstein has rushed for 812 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging better than eight yards per carry.

Hochstein was especially impressive against Summerland, rushing for 60 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries.

Cedar Catholic also received a strong performance from Abram Steffen in that contest. Steffen rushed for 42 yards and completed all four of his passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The combination of an explosive passing attack and a productive running game has made Cedar Catholic one of the most difficult offenses in Class C2 to contain.

The Trojans have scored 50 or more points against Schuyler, North Bend Central, Battle Creek, Summerland and Ord.

They have also scored at least 30 points in all nine games this season.

Trojan defense equally impressive

As impressive as Cedar Catholic's offensive production has been, the Trojans' defensive accomplishments have been just as remarkable.

Cedar Catholic has allowed only 54 points in nine games.

Three opponents — Schuyler, Omaha Brownell Talbot and Norfolk Catholic — failed to score.

Four others managed just one touchdown apiece.

Only North Bend Central, which scored 14 points in a 51-14 loss, managed more than 10 points against the Trojans.

Perhaps Cedar Catholic's most impressive defensive performance came in its regular-season finale Oct. 23 at Ord.

The Trojans intercepted four passes, recovered a fumble and limited the 7-2 Chanticleers to just 128 yards of total offense in a convincing 52-6 victory.

That performance was especially satisfying for Cedar Catholic after Ord eliminated the Trojans from last year's Class C2 playoffs.

The defensive effort has been a team accomplishment, with Cedar Catholic repeatedly creating turnovers and preventing opponents from sustaining drives.

The Trojans will need that same intensity against a Lincoln Lutheran team that features a productive rushing attack.

Warriors feature strong running game

Lincoln Lutheran will look to running back E. Holle to help establish its offense and keep Cedar Catholic's high-powered attack on the sidelines.

Holle has rushed for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games with available statistics, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Quarterback Carsten Ross has completed 79 of 128 passes for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns, although he has also thrown eight interceptions.

Charles Caldwell leads the Warriors' receiving corps with 35 receptions for 443 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defensively, E. Grell has recorded 61 tackles, including two tackles for loss, while Z. Petersen has intercepted two passes.

Lincoln Lutheran's offense has struggled at times against stronger opponents.

The Warriors managed just seven points in a 40-7 loss to Ord and 13 in a 49-13 setback against Malcolm.

They also dropped a 48-26 decision to Milford and lost 28-24 to Wilber-Clatonia.

In their four losses, the Warriors averaged just 17.5 points per game.

For Lincoln Lutheran to remain competitive Friday, controlling the football, establishing its running game and avoiding turnovers will be critical.

Common opponent provides interesting comparison

One of the most revealing comparisons between the two teams comes from their performances against Ord.

Lincoln Lutheran suffered a 40-7 loss to the Chanticleers during the regular season.

Cedar Catholic, meanwhile, traveled to Ord on Oct. 23 and dominated the Chanticleers 52-6.

The Trojans forced five turnovers and limited Ord to just 128 yards of offense.

While performances against a common opponent do not necessarily predict the outcome of another game, the results illustrate how differently the two teams fared against the same competition.

Cedar Catholic also finished 3-0 against opponents with winning records, defeating Columbus Scotus (6-3), Plainview/Osmond (5-4) and Ord (7-2).

Lincoln Lutheran went 2-3 against teams that finished with winning records.

The Trojans' nine opponents compiled a combined 31-50 record, while Lincoln Lutheran's opponents finished 38-43.

That suggests the Warriors faced a somewhat tougher schedule overall, although Cedar Catholic dominated the stronger opponents it encountered.

Can the Trojans handle a close game?

Perhaps the biggest unanswered question surrounding Cedar Catholic heading into the playoffs is how the Trojans will respond if they find themselves in a close contest.

Cedar Catholic has not played a game decided by fewer than 24 points this season.

Its closest contest came in the season opener, a 34-10 victory over Columbus Scotus.

Every game since has been decided by at least 26 points.

Lincoln Lutheran, meanwhile, has played three games decided by eight points or fewer, winning two.

The Warriors defeated Lincoln Christian 28-26 and Fillmore Central 30-27 while falling to Wilber-Clatonia 28-24.

That experience could prove valuable if Lincoln Lutheran can keep Friday's contest close into the second half.

Still, the statistical advantages heavily favor the Trojans.

Cedar Catholic enters the postseason ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll and earned the No. 3 playoff seed with a 44.0000 NSAA points average.

Lincoln Lutheran received the No. 14 seed with a 39.5556 points average.

The winner of Friday's contest will advance to the Class C2 quarterfinals Nov. 6 against the winner of the game between No. 6 Boone Central and No. 11 Mitchell.

For Cedar Catholic, the regular season has been a nine-week showcase of offensive firepower and defensive dominance.

Now the Trojans must prove they can maintain that same level of play when every victory brings them one step closer to a state championship — and one bad night can bring a perfect season to an abrupt end.

HARTINGTON — The roll of the dice, the slap of a card on the table and the occasional shout of victory have been bringing smiles to northeast Nebraska youngsters for the past 10 years.

Along the way, friendships have been formed, imaginations have been stretched and countless battles have been won and lost — all without anyone ever having to leave the comfort of a chair.

That's the magic behind the Owl Sage Board Game Club, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

What began as a modest gathering of game enthusiasts in the basement of the Hartington Public Library in October 2016 has grown into a four-community adventure, introducing youngsters to a world where a deck of cards, a handful of dice and a little imagination can turn an ordinary afternoon into something special.

The club, originally known as the Hartington Game Club, has expanded to Randolph, Wausa and Osmond. The growth prompted a name change to the Owl Sage Board Game Club in 2025, reflecting an organization that had long since outgrown its Hartington roots.

The club meets quarterly on Saturdays in Hartington, with additional gatherings during the week in the other communities.

And if things go according to plan, there could soon be even more places for youngsters to pull up a chair and join the fun.

Behind the games, the laughter and the seemingly endless supply of imagination is Peter Talley, a 49-year-old Council Bluffs, Iowa, native who has become known to many area residents simply as Hartington's "game guy."

But Talley is quick to point out the club is about much more than the games themselves.

It's about giving youngsters a place to belong, encouraging them to think creatively and showing them entertainment doesn't always have to involve a TV screen or a cellphone.

"Games open up the world for people," Talley said. "They give people a chance to let their creativ - ity flow." And after 10 years, it's safe to say that creativity has been flowing pretty freely.

The club's roots can be traced to a suggestion from Cedar Catholic speech coach Pam Fallon, who recognized Talley's knack for con - necting with youngsters during bus rides to speech competitions.

Talley often talked about games from his personal collection, using travel time to teach students some - thing new and introduce them to different kinds of challenges.

Fallon noticed how naturally he interacted with the students and encouraged him to find a way to share that enthusiasm with more young people.

With a collection of more than 200 board games at his disposal, Talley had plenty of material to work with.

All he needed was an audience. Originally, the plan was to establish an after-school gaming program for high school students. Talley quickly discovered, howev - er, that finding an open spot on a teenager's calendar could be more challenging than winning some of the games in his collection.

Between sports, music, speech and other school activities, the students simply had too many com - mitments.

"Man, they are so busy with all the school activities they are involved in, it kind of turned into, let's see what I can do for the whole community, instead," he said. "One thing led to another and it just kind of grew and now we're like in four different locations." That change in direction helped shape the club into what it is today - a place where games provide common ground for people who might otherwise have little oppor - tunity to interact.

The games themselves are as varied as the personalities gathered around the tables.

Some require strategy and care - ful planning. Others reward quick thinking, creativity or the ability to convince the other players that your next move is the right one.

And sometimes, the most import -

ant ingredient is simply a willing - ness to have a little fun.

When introducing the club to a new group of youngsters, Talley generally brings along three favor - ites - "Sleeping Queens," "Love Letter" and "Slapzi." Each offers a different challenge, but all provide opportunities for newcomers to get involved without having to spend hours studying a complicated rule book.

Storytelling, imagination and interaction are important ingredi - ents in many of the club's activities, giving youngsters opportunities to express themselves while learning to work and play with others.

Of course, convincing people that a board game club could become a successful community activity wasn't always easy.

When Talley first approached the Hartington Public Library Board with the idea a decade ago, the re - ception was less than enthusiastic.

"At first, they were like, 'I don't know about this,' and 'Oh, this probably won't take off,'" he re - called. "Now, they're like, 'Oh, we didn't understand what you were really trying to go for. Now we see it.'" Ten years and four communities later, those early doubts have given way to a program that continues to find new ways to capture the atten - tion of area youngsters.

And the activities don't always involve sitting around a table play -

ing games.

One of the club's most popu - lar events is the annual Magician Academy, a fall gathering that com - bines imagination, fantasy and the excitement of earning awards.

Talley said more than 80 awards were presented during one of the academy's events. Over the years, club members also have received more than 135 marbles and dice sets as prizes and recognition for their participation.

The prizes are more than souve - nirs. They're little reminders of an afternoon spent learning something new, sharing an adventure or ac - complishing a challenge.

Finding the money to provide those rewards has become another part of the club's story.

Talley, who also is an author, uses royalties from his books to help purchase prizes and awards for club members.

He completed his 10th book, a science fiction fantasy novel, in June.

His love of fantasy and story - telling fits naturally into the club's activities, where youngsters are encouraged to exercise their imag - inations rather than leave all the creative work to someone else.

That emphasis on creativity even - tually led to another club-related undertaking - a writing contest.

What began as an effort to encourage local youngsters to put their own ideas on paper has ex - panded into a competition attract - ing participants from Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

For club members accustomed to exploring imaginary worlds through games, the contest offers another opportunity to create worlds of their own.

The adventures sometimes ex - tend well beyond the communities where the club meets.

During the summer, some club members have taken field trips to Omaha, visiting gaming stores, comic book shops, bookstores and arcades.

The trips also provide opportu - nities to sample unfamiliar foods and explore restaurants offering something different from the usual fare available in rural Nebraska.

It's all part of the same phi - losophy that has guided the club since its earliest days - exposing youngsters to new experiences and encouraging them to look beyond the familiar.

The club's reputation for com -

bining fun and learning has also helped open doors outside its regu - lar gatherings.

Schools and libraries have invited Talley to present programs during Read Across America celebrations and summer reading activities, introducing even more youngsters to the possibilities of games and imagination.

Keeping all those activities orga -

nized, however, can be an adven - ture in itself.

There are meeting locations to arrange, schedules to coordinate, games to select and equipment to haul from one community to another.

Then there are the prizes to pur - chase, special events to prepare and the occasional new idea that some - how finds its way onto an already crowded calendar.

"We're just trying to figure out how to keep the plates spinning," Talley said.

Of course, keeping those plates spinning might be considerably easier if the club wasn't constantly finding new ones to add to the act.

But that willingness to try some - thing different has become part of its identity.

For Talley, whose work experi - ence over the years has included everything from retail sales and security to emergency management and assisting with high school speech, organizing the club pres - ents a different kind of challenge.

Gone are the days when his re - sponsibilities might have included memorizing Homeland Security manuals or meeting with emergen -

cy coordinators.

These days, the important ques - tions are more likely to involve which game to unpack, how many players can join in and wheth - er there are enough prizes to go around.

The paperwork may be different, but the planning can be just as demanding.

Still, the rewards are measured in something other than dollars and cents.

They're found in the youngster who discovers a talent for strategy, the quiet newcomer who finds a place among friends or the group that spends an afternoon laughing over a game instead of staring at separate electronic screens.

And perhaps that's the biggest accomplishment of the club's first decade.

It has demonstrated that even in a world filled with high-tech enter - tainment, there's still something special about gathering around a table, looking your friends in the eye and sharing an adventure together.

Ten years after that first gath - ering in the Hartington library basement, the Owl Sage Board Game Club continues to grow, one community, one friendship and one game at a time.

And with more communities ex - pressing interest, it appears there's still plenty of room at the table.

After all, the best thing about a good game is that there's usually room for one more player.

HARTINGTON — Contested races for mayor, city council and school board will give area voters plenty of choices about local leadership as they cast mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 general election.

The ballot also includes statewide questions on legislative term limits and online sports wagering, along with several local races featuring fewer candidates than available seats.

In Hartington, incumbents are the lone candidates vying to retain their seats on the city council. Mayor Mark Becker and Councilmen Cody W. Christensen and Colin Kathol are all seeking another four-year term on the board.

Voters have a choice to make on the Hartington- Newcastle School Board. All three incumbents — Candice Climer, Ian Lange and Jason Dendinger — all filed for another four-year term. Political newcomer Brice Grutsch is challenging the incumbents for a spot on the board.

In Randolph, Mayor Dwayne Schutt, Sheila Korth-Focken and Ben Benton are all seeking the mayor’s office.

Three candidates — Aaron Nielsen, Alicia Van-DeWalle and Daniel Korth — are competing for two at-large seats on the Randolph City Council.

Several village boards also have seats on the ballot.

The Coleridge Village Board ballot will look a bit different this year. For the first time in many years, a Hefner is not on the ballot. Longtime Village Board Chairman George Hefner did not file for another term on the board. Steve Slattery is the only candidate on the ballot, while three people — Jessie Jackson, Brent Hinspeter and Patsy Harlan — all filed as write-ins.

In Fordyce, Cade Bailey and Mikenna Kleinschmit are listed for three trustee positions.

Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said over 2,250 ballots had been returned as of Tuesday afternoon. She said over 5,600 ballots were mailed out.

Sschmit reminds residents that completed ballots must be received at the county election office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

An Election Day postmark will not be sufficient, she said. Voters may return ballots by mail or deliver them to the clerk’s office or the drop box outside the courthouse, Schmit said. Voters with questions about their ballots or the election process may contact Schmit at 402-254-7411.

HARTINGTON — Bob and Mary Lou Steffen are beaming with pride these days.

Two of their grandchildren were honored earlier this month as the recipients of the top two 4-H awards Cedar County has to offer.

For Breah Steffen and Karissa Bruning, 4-H has been about much more than collecting ribbons at the Cedar County Fair.

It has been about learning responsibility, developing leadership skills, making lifelong friendships and discovering the value of giving back to their community.

Those lessons paid off Sunday, Oct. 18, when the two Hartington teens received Cedar County 4-H's highest individual honors at the Cedar County 4-H Council meeting.

Steffen, daughter of Brad and Jackie Steffen, received the Outstanding 4-H Service Award, while Bruning, daughter of Mark and Kristi Bruning, was presented the Outstanding 4-H Achievement Award.

Both are longtime members of the Needles & Nails 4-H Club.

The awards recognize members who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, community involvement, leadership and personal growth throughout their 4-H careers.

To qualify, nominees must have completed at least five years in Cedar County 4-H and been a junior or senior in high school during the 2025-26 school year. Applicants also submit a written account of their 4-H experiences, highlighting projects, leadership responsibilities and community service.

Steffen's 4-H journey began when she was just 5 years old.

She still remembers the excitement of her first county fair, her first modeling experience, her first fairgrounds cleanup night and even her first shift working at the pop stand.

Those experiences helped shape what has become a commitment to serving others.

"To me, 4-H is more than an organization. It is a foundation that has equipped me with skills I will carry for life," Steffen said.

Her involvement has included everything from livestock projects and sewing to public speaking, cooking and community service.

Through her livestock projects, Steffen developed the skills and confidence to manage her own small cattle and goat herds. She credits those experiences with teaching her responsibility, animal care and record keeping.

One of her longtime companions at the fair is a goat named Ivy.

"I am still showing my same goat, Ivy, that I showed when I was in fourth grade," she said.

Steffen has also been an enthusiastic participant in the fair's static exhibits.

In 2018, she earned the award for entering the most static exhibits, bringing an impressive 83 projects to the Cedar County Fair.

Beyond the show ring and exhibit building, Steffen has taken on numerous leadership responsibilities.

She currently serves as president of the Needles & Nails 4-H Club and is completing her third year as a youth representative on the Cedar County 4-H Council, where she serves as secretary.

"Holding an office is more than a title," Steffen said. "It means being prepared, listening to others, communicating clearly, and helping the entire club to succeed."

She has helped introduce younger members and their families to 4-H opportunities during 4-H Family Night, assisted younger members with projects and volunteered with the bucket calf show at the Cedar County Fair for the past three years.

One of her most memorable leadership experiences came through the Bayer 4-H Ag Innovators program.

Steffen served as a Cedar County teen leader for the program, traveling to Lincoln for training in the "Protect the Plate" educational initiative.

She then brought that knowledge back to northeast Nebraska, presenting the program five times at area schools and libraries.

Her volunteer work has also included Clover Kid Camp, 4-H workshops, library programs, fairgrounds cleanup projects and other community activities.

Steffen has carried those leadership skills into FFA, where she has served as an officer, helped coordinate a district dairy judging contest and participated in an effort to provide meals for farmers during harvest.

She also attended the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, where she met young people from across the state and gained a greater appreciation for the importance of telling agriculture's story.

Looking back, Steffen said the greatest rewards of 4-H have little to do with trophies or ribbons.

"4-H has given me more than ribbons, projects, and fair memories," she said. "It has given me the confidence to speak, the ability to lead, the knowledge to teach, and the heart to serve."

For Bruning, her 13 years in the Needles & Nails 4-H Club began with a little girl watching her older siblings and cousins lead bucket calves around the Cedar County Fairgrounds.

She could hardly wait until she was old enough to do the same.

That opportunity finally arrived when she became a Clover Kid and headed outside, halter in hand, to select her first calf.

Although livestock quickly became her favorite part of 4-H, her parents encouraged her to try a variety of other projects.

That encouragement helped Bruning discover interests and develop skills that have remained with her throughout her school years.

She participated in speech and presentation contests, demonstrations, fashion shows and the Favorite Foods Revue, along with numerous other projects.

“I feel my 4-H story included so many memories with family but also ends with gaining new friends and a whole new appreciation for agriculture and the 4-H program,” she said.

Bruning plans to continue building on that interest by attending Northeast Community College, where she intends to major in agricultural communications.

Awards recognize years of dedication

Both recipients received plaques sponsored by the Cedar County News and cash awards provided by the Cedar County 4-H Council.

Their names will also be added to the Outstanding 4-H Member plaque, sponsored by the 4-H Council, which is displayed at the Cedar County Extension Office.

The honors recognize not only what Steffen and Bruning accomplished during their years in 4-H, but also the leadership, service and life skills they developed along the way.

Carson Sudbeck was pronounced dead at the scene of the singlevehicle accident, according to Cedar County Sheriff Larry Koranda.

The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the accident at 5:54 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

The crash occurred on 886th Road near the intersection of 565th Avenue, approximately four miles north and two miles east of Hartington.

According to the sheriff’s office, Sudbeck was driving a westbound 2004 Chevrolet pickup when the vehicle left the roadway.

Sudbeck was ejected from the vehicle. Authorities reported he was not wearing a seat belt.

The accident remains under investigation by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office.

The Hartington Volunteer Fire Department and EMS personnel also responded to the scene.

The council approved Ordinance 919, a request by Russ Flamig to vacate an eight-foot alley between Aberley and Lemon avenues. The seldom-used alley runs to the south of his house. The ordinance states a utility easement will remain on the land, however.

All adjacent land owners approved of the plan.

The council also approved a building permit for Tim Leise to construct a 12x20 garden shed and another for Calvin and Deanna Schulte to build a garage on their property at 616 NeuFam Drive.

Council members also approved a sign permit from Justin Kerkman and Jason Wintz for 1Plus1, located at 116 E. Main St.

Other business included reappointment of Dan Kathol to the Community Redevelopment Authority for another five-year term, The CRA was adopted in 2010 to oversee the planning and implementation of city redevelopment projects where Tax Increment Financing is used to fund all or part of the project. Kathol, who serves as the chairman of the board, will now have his term extended through November 2031.

Other members on the board are Pat Guy, Randy Kathol, Brandon Baller and Chris Miller.

The council also approved a special designated liquor license request from Cedar Catholic High School, which will hold its annual Fall Blitz event Nov. 22 at the Msgr. Werner Activity Center.

Council members received information concerning a Skylon commercial lease agreement and asked City Attorney Nikki Brandt to change the annual renewal date of that contract.

Council members also reviewed the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office activity report.

In September, the Sheriff’s Dept.:

• logged 460 hours of patrol time in Hartington.

• made six traffic stops in Hartington, issuing one citation and handing out five written warnings.

Service calls included:

• one report of a barking dog.

• two reports of business alarms going off.

• one request to assist the Hartington EMS and two requests for assistance with traffic control.

The next Hartington City Council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. start time on Nov. 9 at City Hall.

Nebraska joined the Federal Trade Commission and 19 other states in suing Dollar General Corp. over allegations the retailer routinely charged customers more than prices listed on shelves, price tags and advertisements.

The lawsuit alleges the pricing discrepancies continued for years despite tens of thousands of consumer complaints and the company’s knowledge of the problem.

“Nebraskans expect that they are charged at the register the prices that are advertised,” Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said. “Dollar General betrayed that trust at the expense of hard-working Nebraska families. Our office is committed to holding Dollar General accountable for these practices and ensuring that consumers are protected from deceptive pricing and unfair overcharges.”

According to the complaint, thousands of Dollar General stores collected unlawful overcharges without sufficient safeguards to prevent pricing errors.

Consumers across the country also reported that the discount store retailer failed to honor advertised prices.

The FTC and states contend Dollar General failed to adequately address the problem even after receiving repeated complaints.

The lawsuit alleges the practices violated federal consumer protection laws and Nebraska law.

Iowa and Kansas were among the states joining the FTC lawsuit.

HARTINGTON — Hartington can now boast about a pair of Hall of Famers.

Gary Howey was recently inducted into the 2017 Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

Former Cedar County News Publisher J.P. O’Furey was posthumously inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame Friday.

One of the many programs of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, based in Hayward, Wis., consists of recognizing individuals, organizations and institutions who have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport and heritage of freshwater fishing.

The Hall of Fame Awards Committee meets annually to make their selections for the following year. After much deliberation there were 11 individuals inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame’s 2017 year class.

Howey said he has always had a love for the outdoors. He moved to Northeast Nebraska in 1971 after returning to the Great Plains from a stint in Vietnam.

When he first moved to the Hartington area, he did so because of the great opportunities to fish and hunt here.

O’Furey owned and published the Cedar County News from October 1915 until his death at the age of 61 in August 1937.

During his 22-year stint as publisher he transformed the Cedar County News from a struggling weekly newspaper in a two-newspaper town to the dominant publication in the entire region.

Under his leadership the News garnered several national and regional honors and became known as one of the best community newspapers in the United States.

O’Furey’s great-grandchildren and a grandson attended the banquet to accept the Hall of Fame plaque in his his name.

HARTINGTON — Drs. Willson and King purchased the Dr. Gerisch residence on Main street.

They intended to remodel it for use as a hospital. The hospital is not solely for the use of Drs. Willson and King but is open to all doctors and surgeons in the county.

Oct. 26, 1901

HARTINGTON —While digging a cellar on the John Hindmarsh farm 3 miles northeast of town, Hans Schager unearthed five skeletons, all piled in a hole together.

It is presumed they had been there for many years and it is impossible to say whether it was the result of foul play or not.

They changed the cellar and left the bones rest.

Oct. 26, 1901

HARTINGTON — We had the pleasure of visiting a short time with Thos. Ebinger of St. Helena.

Mr. Ebinger is perhaps the most successful grapegrower in this part of the county. This year he picked 20,000 pounds of grapes, most of which he makes into wine.

Oct. 19, 1916

HARTINGTON — The worst October storm in the past 11 years arrived Wednesday night and the country roads are now badly blocked. In 1905 there was considerably more snow.

Oct. 26, 1916

HARTINGTON — A large barn said by the old settlers to be one of the oldest buildings in St. Helena was destroyed by fire about noon Monday.

The building was owned by Herman Bruening. A valuable two-year horse belonging to his son Adolph was lost in the fire.

The building was one of the landmarks of the pioneer days of the former county seat and is said to have been one of the very first buildings erected in those days of promise for the little city.

It is said that the fire originated from boys playing with matches.

Oct. 26, 1916

HARTINGTON — It is very gratifying to the friends of the Hartington Public Library to note the steady growth that the institution is making.

It is growing not only in regard to the number of its readers, but also in the valuable collections of new books which are being added.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors, it was decided to add an encyclopedia of Agriculture, an encyclopedia of Music and to purchase enough yearbooks to bring the New International Encyclopedia up to 1916.

Some of these new things are already on the shelves and the rest will arrive in a short time.

Oct. 26, 1916

HARTINGTON — Miss Emma Schwerin is now rounding out her first term as County Supt. of Schools and is generally regarded as the most elegant and successful superintendent Cedar County has ever had.

Her Democratic opponent for another term in office has given up the fight and has moved out of the county.

Oct. 27, 1921

HARTINGTON — Miss Camilla Jorgensen of Hartington, Miss Georgiana Steele of Coleridge and M. R. Edwards of Randolph gave talks at the Northeast Nebraska Teachers Association meeting in Emerson.

Miss Emma Schwerin, county superintendent, also attended.

Oct. 27, 1921

HARTINGTON — Henry Goetz killed a deer while hunting in Colorado recently.

Oct. 27, 1921

HARTINGTON — W. H. Burney of Hartington was chosen county chairman of the Red Cross drive.

Oct. 27, 1921

HARTINGTON — Hartington High won its fifth football victory with a 14-7 decision over South Sioux City.

Fullback Harold Armour and Scoville scored touchdowns and Nedrow added the extra points.

HARTINGTON — Outstanding young citizens of Cedar County by virtue of a contest are John Richards, senior in Hartington High, and Anna Schulte, senior in Wynot High.

These two students proved their superiority in attitudes and judgments, mental ability and health over a field of 28 contestants from seven schools in the county.

Second places in the young citizens contest were won by Clement Pedersen, junior in Holy Trinity High, and Cecelia Dwyer, junior in St. Frances School of Randolph.

Frederick Stevens of Holy Trinity and Harry Wallace of Coleridge were third and fourth in the boys division. Elsie O’Gara of Laurel and Marie Peitz of Holy Trinity were third and fourth among girls.

Oct. 29, 1931

HARTINGTON — F. O. and Phil Robinson, Vernon Nedrow, Rudolph Jenny, Lloyd Lynde and Otto Wiley attended a district meeting of Masons in Randolph.

Oct. 29, 1931

HARTINGTON — H. H. Johnson, postal employee, was elected commander of the Hartington American Legion Post.

Oct. 30, 1941

HARTINGTON — The first blast of winter swept over Cedar County Sunday night as a blustery wind bearing nearly a half-inch of rain, sent temperatures scurrying downward to the low 20s.

D.E. Ewing, official government weather observer, reported a low temperature of 22 degrees Sunday night and 20 degrees Monday night. Moisture totaled .31 of an inch Sunday night and .10 Monday.

Oct. 30, 1941

HARTINGTON — A pint of pennies bought a radio in Hartington Monday.

Hegert’s Hardware reports a Cedar County couple used the pennies to make a down payment on a new radio. The pint jar contained several hundred coppers and the couple said they were saving for six years.

Oct. 30, 1941

HARTINGTON — Hartington continues without a permanent agent for the Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad.

Upon the Oct. 1 resignation of Frank Cranor, who resigned to accept a telegrapher’s post at Ferry Junction, the opening here is available to agents on the division in order of their seniority rights. Merlin Wagers of Emerson, brother of Mrs. A.L. Mengshol, has rejected the post here. Wagers automatically has first choice in taking the job.

Second in line is B.L. Tollard of Randolph, who told The News today that he is “undecided.”

Most of the agents reason that the Hartington station is a two-man job and the wage difference doesn’t offset the extra work. H.J. Lenzen of Wakefield is carrying on here until a new agent is found.

Oct. 30, 1941

RANDOLPH — The new $35,000 Randolph City Auditorium will be dedicated November 7. D.F. Felton of Lincoln, state WPA administrator, will formally present the building; Mayor F.B. Gleason will deliver the acceptance speech and C.Q,W. Peasinger will make the principal address.

The Randolph Municipal band will play during the ceremony, while the dance later in the evening will feature Leo Pieper and his orchestra.

HARTINGTON—The treat of anthrax and biological terrorism is changing the one thing U.S. citizens do every day and have taken for granted—the U.S. mail. Hartington postmaster Janelle McTaggart has worked with the postal system for 21 years and said she has never seen anything like this.

Oct. 24, 2001

HARTINGTON—Hartington Country General Store Manager Bill Grutsch was told he and his five employees would be out of a job soon. All the stores west of the Mississippi River including 47 in Nebraska will be closed by January, a company spokesman said.

Oct. 24, 2001

HARTINGTON—Cedar County high school students now have a better understanding of county government. Juniors and instructors from Randolph, Laurel, Coleridge, Wynot, Hartington and Cedar Catholic converged on the Courthouse for County Government Day.

Oct. 24, 2001

HARTINGTON—Jay Walz used an 8 iron to go the distance on hole number 9 at the Hartington Golf Course. The event happened Thursday, Oct. 18, with Ann Walz witnessing the shot.

Oct. 24, 2001

DODGE—The Wynot Blue Devils improved their season record to 6-2 with an impressive 44-19 win over the Dodge Pirates. Travis Doughtery fired touchdown passes of 31, 28 and 3 yards and Casey Koch rumbled for touchdown runs of 72, 3 and 2 yards as the Blue Devils amassed 404 yards of total offense.

Oct. 31, 2001

HARTINGTON—A unified school district would provide benefits for students, staff and taxpayers, area residents were told.

Members of the Hartington Public School Board and the Crofton Community School Board met in front of about 100 area residents to learn about the possibilities.

We’ve got an abundance of hard-working people. We’ve got ample water and electric resources. And we’ve got land – plenty of land – on which to locate new businesses.

But by some measures, our economy isn’t the best, and we’re still stinging from the loss of a major employer in Lexington, Tyson Foods, and the 3,200 jobs it provided.

So it’s a puzzle why the state agency charged with pitching the state to potential businesses – the Nebraska Department of Economic Development – is in such sorry shape.

Over the last 18 months, that agency has seen 61 employees leave their jobs (most quit, only two were fired). That represents about half of the employment at the DED, according to Nebraska Examiner reporter Erin Bamer.

That’s an enormous (some might say gigantic) amount of attrition. Imagine if half of the football team quit? It tosses plenty of red flags about the state’s efforts to add more jobs and grow the state’s economy.

We always hear that if we grow the economy – via tax cuts and business incentives – we can cut taxes for the rest of us.

Well, if half of your squad of economic developers leave their jobs, the job of growing your economy suddenly becomes much harder.

One long-time employee who quit said that recent budget cuts under Gov. Pillen and policy decisions by fairly new DED Director Maureen Larsen have been designed to force people to quit or retire.

They are “just tearing down (the agency) for the sake of tearing it down,” the former employee told the Examiner.

The head of the state employees union called the huge turnover at DED “mind boggling.”

“We ought to be doing everything we can right now to grow our state considering the budget situation,” Justin Hubly, the state workers’ union exec said in a reference to the recent series of state budget shortfalls.

Finding new jobs to replace the 3,200 lost due to the closure of the Tyson meatpacking plant might be a decent idea, too.

Adequate housing, especially in rural Nebraska, is often cited as a major problem, yet the attrition at DED has included the elimination of three regional specialists seeking more affordable housing in rural areas.

How wrong-headed is that. Much of the concern about shrinkage of economic developers at DED have focused on the director, Larsen, who took over in July when K.C. Belitz resigned.

Belitz was behind the strong economic growth in Columbus before being tapped to head DED in 2023; Larsen is an attorney who was a deputy at the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, which handles things like procurement, state buildings and budgeting – not exactly economic development.

A DED spokesman said the budget cuts and job losses at the agency were primarily due to wrapping up pandemic-era programs that no longer required staffing.

That accounts for some, but not nearly all, of the attrition. Some can be blamed on the belt-tightening by the governor required to deal with the revenue shortfalls slamming the state budget.

It’s a sad situation, particularly when so many Nebraskans are having a hard time affording gasoline, food and paying rent and mortgages. Don’t get me started about how tariffs and higher costs have hurt our farmers.

Our state needs a robust effort to attract good jobs, expand the tax base, and give our children a good reason (via good-paying jobs) to stay here instead of moving away.

Rebuilding DED would be a good start.

Paul Hammel has covered state government and the state for decades. He is a retired reporter for Nebraska Examiner and the former Capitol Bureau Chief for the Omaha World-Herald. A native of Ralston, he loves traveling and writing about the state.

Most of this article was written in 1992. It was titled “Trick or Treat and Smelly Feet.” I thought it might be appropriate to dig it up for readers who may not have been following this column 34 years ago. Readers will have to judge whether my writing has improved over the last three decades.

When Advocate Editor J. Frank Mills returned from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in October 1893, he declined an invitation to attend a Halloween party in Coleridge. “We would like to have been thar,” he wrote, “but circumstances compelled us to put up with just merely the thought of piled up carts and wagons and buggies and plows and old broken sleds and cows and whiskey barrels and a whole lot of other things that it wouldn’t do to mention.”

Frank may have missed the excitement in Coleridge, but there was plenty of action in Laurel on the town’s first Halloween Oct. 30, 1893. Someone blocked open the throttle on the steam engine at the Laurel roller mill; The whistle screeched and shrieked until someone eventually got out of bed and shut it down. And the next morning several homes were filled with smoke because pranksters had corked up the chimneys with fence posts.

The morning after Witching Night in 1894, townspeople awakened to find “the streets barricaded with wagons, buggies and vehicles of every description. A number of signs and barber poles were displaced and all sorts of jokes played,“ said the Advocate of Nov. 5, 1894.

By 1904 the public was fed up with the masked marauders. Marshal McDaniel was ordered to crack down on Halloween pranksters and little damage was reported that year.

A serious act of vandalism occurred in 1906, however, when pranksters destroyed one of the bridges across the Fourth Street ditch.

Outhouses were always a popular target. It was considered great sport to upset the little two-holers and even more fun to set them back a few feet from their original location. This was not at all funny to a man who had eaten stewed prunes on a dark Halloween night. In 1908 one prankster fell into a privy pit while assisting in a Halloween house-moving. The Advocate of Nov. 5, 1908, observed: “Too bad his associates could not have shared his fate.” Editor Nevin did not name names, but the pungent perpetrator should have been easy to identify – even from several yards away.

Not everyone participated in the Halloween “hal-raising.” in 1907 27 of Laurel‘s young people enjoyed a unique Halloween party. The boys assembled at the Henry T. Ankeny home (probably 504 Oak), where they were met at the front gate by Margherita Ankeny and Mary Hoefflin disguised as witches. Then Clinton Price appeared in a “Brownie” costume with a kerosene lantern in his hand. Brownie Clinton ran through the streets of Laurel with the boys in hot pursuit. It was a dark gloomy night and there were no street lights of any kind.

Falling over displaced objects and into ditches where pranksters had removed the crossings, the boys chased the flickering fairy to the W.A. Price home (probably 310 Elm). The house was completely dark, except for the dim, orange glow of candles in Jack-o-lanterns. The boys were ushered inside where they drew numbers.

Then the girls appeared. They were dressed as ghosts and each was wearing a number. Each young man drew a number and was matched with one of the ghosts. Brownie Clinton ran back into the night with the boys and ghouls at his heels. They ran to the south part of town where they discovered the two witches (Ankeny and Hoefflin) tending a boiling cauldron behind the standpipe. But instead of frogs, lizards and toads, the cauldron contained weenies. After eating weenie sandwiches (now known as hot dogs), the party moved to Bessie Corey‘s home where Alice Ford and Gwendolyn Boyle served crystallized popcorn and fudge.

By this time rain was falling heavily and it was again time to run. Laurel’s unpaved streets were becoming very muddy, as were the sheet-clad ghosts and goblins.

The next stop was the F.O. Brockway house that stood at 306 Elm. There they were greeted by Mrs. Brockway, dressed in solemn black, and Alice Sabin in a flashy red witch’s costume. The muddy merrymakers were ushered into the Brockway parlor where the ghosts shed their muddy sheets and revealed their identities. The young people were served pumpkin pie and apples out of a pumpkin shell. The evening ended with cake and coffee at the Price home. Uh-Oh! Brownie Clinton left his lantern on the Brockway porch. And someone swiped it. Papa Price was perturbed. “You see the lantern was only loaned to the elf for the use that one night,“ said the Advocate, “and Mr. Price needs it in his business. Just leave it on his porch some dark night. He won’t ask any questions.“ Despite the pixy’s pilfered lantern, the kids thought the evening was bushels of fun. And Mr. Price probably didn’t really need the lantern in his business. He was Laurel’s postmaster.

Another Halloween item added just this week: The decisions of police magistrates seldom make the national news. But in 1923 Sioux City Police Judge Carlos Goltz got his name in the national press when he sentenced a dozen boys who appeared before him for Halloween pranks to go home and have their parents administer a spanking. The press picked up the story and claimed Judge Goltz had inaugurated a “National Spanking Day.”

S. Duncan Wakefield, a relative of Goltz, saw the article in a Kansas City newspaper and wrote: “Allowing my memory to cover a lapse of 16 or 17 years, I recall a boy who was the most devilish Halloween prankster I ever saw. That boy was Judge Goltz.”

Carlos Goltz was the son of Alexander C. Goltz, one of Laurel‘s founding fathers. Both Winifred Bass and Winnie Burns told this writer that Carlos was strong-willed and did not always follow rules. In 1908 his parents pulled him out of Laurel High and sent him to a military academy where he did graduate. He then went to graduate from law school.

Offering “No Quarter” was officially made a war crime at The Hague Convention of 1899. Until then, the order was used for murderous retaliation or a ticking-time threat.

In the language of war, “No Quarter” meant all opposing combatants would be killed and any legitimate offers of surrender would be rejected.

During the Civil War, however, the volume of prisoners of war was a massive problem. When Fort Donelson on Tennessee’s Cumberland River fell Feb. 16, 1862, Confederate forces surrendered 12,000 soldiers to the Union. We aren’t talking about 500 or 1,000 men, but 12,000 human beings who suddenly had to be transported, contained and fed.

Mass surrenders were by no means limited to the South. Just seven months later, in September 1862, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson surrounded Harpers Ferry, Va., forcing 12,500 Yankees to raise the white flag. That capitulation remained the largest surrender in U.S. history until World War II, when 79,000 U.S. and Filipino troops conceded to Japanese troops on the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines.

With thousands of captives flooding into improvised camps, the numbers problem became urgent. Seeking a practical remedy, Union Major General John A. Dix met with Confederate Major General D.H. Hill along Virginia’s contested James River in July of 1862 to devise a formal prisoner exchange.

The resulting plan, known as the Dix-Hill Cartel, established a precise trade system based on military rank: Soldiers of equal rank were exchanged on a simple one-for-one basis.

Corporals and Sergeants were worth 2 privates. Lieutenants were worth 4 privates. A Captain was worth 6 privates. A Major was worth 8 privates. A Lieutenant-Colonel was worth 10 privates. A Colonel was worth 15 privates. A Brigadier General was worth 20 privates. A Major General was worth 40 privates. A Commanding General was worth 60 privates. The Cartel went on to include similar values for all naval officers and seamen based on their rank. Unbelievably, this intricate swap system worked for a short period, relieving victors of the burden of maintaining massive prisoner populations while allowing released soldiers to rejoin their original units.

The system began to break down in 1863 when formerly enslaved Black men began fighting in Union blue and falling into Confederate hands. The Confederacy refused to treat Black soldiers as legitimate prisoners of war, considering them “runaways” to be returned to their former owners or re-enslaved.

With exchanges abruptly halted, POW lockups on both sides started filling up, quickly deteriorating into horrific death camps where starvation and disease took a devastating toll.

Andersonville Prison in Georgia was the most egregious, inhumane and overcrowded prison in the South. Having visited the site myself, I can tell you that standing in that 26-acres open-air stockade — where a single, disease-ridden creek ran down the middle — leaves you utterly breathless trying to imagine the immense suffering that took place. The surrounding cemetery, holding 12,000 headstones, stands as a grim monument to a nightmare where far more Union soldiers died than in any single battle of the war. The commander of this nightmare was Confederate Captain Henry Wirz, a physician. At the end of the war, when President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address urging the nation to heal “with malice towards none,” those merciful words didn’t apply to Wirz.

Upon seeing Andersonville’s skeleton-like survivors, famed poet Walt Whitman wrote, “There are deeds, crimes that may be forgiven, but this is not among them.” Wirz became the only military leader charged, convicted and executed for war crimes following the Civil War, meeting his fate at the end of a gallows rope on November 10, 1865.

While enlisted men suffered immeasurably in these overcrowded camps, rank often afforded officers better treatment. Take St. Joseph’s ex-mayor and Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson, who was taken prisoner twice. Earnest and elusive, Thompson earned the moniker “The Swamp Fox” from none other than Ulysses S. Grant for his successful raids in Southeast Missouri.

Surrender took on a different meaning for some

Continued from Page 4

After being captured in Arkansas, Thompson was sent to the relatively comfortable ocers' prison at Johnson's Island in Lake Erie. Later in the war, as the catastrophic conditions in Southern camps forced a brief resumption of exchanges, Thompson was swapped and rejoined the Southern cause, riding with General Sterling Price during his ill-fated 1864 inva - sion of Missouri. Yet, as the South's military fortunes continued to decay and Black troops fought alongside white Yan - kees, the desperation of the conflict sparked vile acts. At Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River, the "No Quarter" mentality resurfaced with tragic savagery. During the battle, dozens of Black Union soldiers were murdered after they had surrendered. The Southern culprits were commanded by famed Caval - ry General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Whether Forrest explicitly ordered "No Quarter" or merely failed to control his men remains debated by historians, but as commander, the Fort Pillow massacre forever tainted his military legacy. Wars will inevitably happen, and people will be killed and captured. Modern combatant conventions, which detail acceptable conduct versus war crimes and how individual leaders personally accountable, may help deter some atrocities, but history teach - es us that ruthless, power-hungry narcissists will always exist. - You can find more of Bob's work on his website, Bobfordshistory.com and videos on YouTube and TikTok. Bob can be reached at robertmford@aol. com.

Owen Metals Group is the parent company of several Midwest steel processing and fabrication businesses, learn more at owenind.com.

First, fungal diseases have made noticeable impacts on corn fields in Nebraska this year. Fungal leaf diseases like tar spot and southern rust can cause early leaf death, while stalk rots weaken plants and increase the potential for lodging. With some fungal diseases, residue quality may be somewhat lower. However, the bigger concern is that there may simply be less leaf material left. Along with husks, leaves are the primary component of residue-based diets. Their loss can shorten the window of quality grazing.

Another concern is downed corn. Stalk rots, wind damage and harvest losses may leave more grain in the field than normal. Cattle will seek out that corn first, and too much at once can lead to acidosis, or grain overload.

So how much corn is too much? Nebraska Extension has a simple way to estimate it. In fields planted in 30-inch rows, count dropped ears along three separate 100-foot row sections. Add those ears together and divide by two. For example, 30 ears would mean about 15 bushels per acre left on the ground. Check several locations since losses can vary. Once you're above eight to ten bushels per acre, precautions are needed. Gradually adapting cattle to grain before turnout and strip grazing to limit access are two ways to reduce risk. If you want more detailed information on managing downed corn, UNL's Dr. Mary Drewnoski has a great article titled "Dealing with Down Corn" at the beef.unl.edu website.

If you're already out counting ears, keep an eye out for moldy ears. While visible mold doesn't necessarily mean mycotoxins are pres - ent, and clean-looking grain isn't a guarantee they're absent, large amounts of moldy grain and ears warrant a closer look. Lab testing, while expensive, is the only reliable way to determine mycotoxin levels.

Nitrates are another concern, particularly in droughtstressed corn. Nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk, while the grain, husks and leaves cattle prefer are generally much lower in concentration. Avoid turning hungry cattle onto suspect fields or leaving them long enough that they're forced to eat stalks. If drought stress was severe, especially in stunted areas, consider testing questionable material before grazing. Finally, remember that residue quality declines as cattle graze. Once the grain, husks and leaves are gone, what's left is lower in energy and protein. Dry cows in good condi - tion may do well early in the grazing period, while lactating cows and younger animals may need additional supplementation. Monitor body condition, residue availability and adjust grazing duration accordingly. Evaluating disease damage, downed corn and nutritional needs ahead of turnout can help make the most of crop residue while maintaining livestock perfor -

mance.

-Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension oce in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben.beckman@unl.edu

LAUREL — The Laurel Ladies Cemetery Association met Oct. 14 in the city auditorium.

All officers were re-enstated for another year — president, Mrs. Clayton Schroeder; 1st vice president, Mrs. Harold Thompson, Jr.; 2nd vice president, Mrs. Paul Gade; 3rd vice president, Mrs. Harold Seyl; secretary, Mrs. R. B. Michels and treasurer, Mrs. Famy Ericson. It was decided to hold three meetings a year in April, July and October.

Mrs. R. B. Michels answered questions on the care of the cemetery.

Oct. 28, 1976

LAUREL — Mr. and Mrs. Dan Danielson returned home Friday evening from York after spending three days attending the Rebekah Assembly and the I. O. O. F. Grand Lodge of Nebraska. They were each a delegate from their home lodge.

Oct. 28, 1976

LAUREL — The Laurel Cubs (the junior high football team) will be introduced during halftime of the Laurel-Bloomfield varsity game Friday night.

Oct. 28, 1976

LAUREL — Bob Devaney, former football coach and now athletic director at the University of Nebraska, will be guest speaker at the next general meeting of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce.

The quarterly dinner meeting will be held Wednesday, November 17, at the Wagon Wheel Steak House.

Oct. 28, 1976

LAUREL — The Laurel Lions Club will hold their annual hunters feed Sunday, Nov. 7, at the city auditorium.

Serving will begin at 6 a.m. Breakfast is priced at $1.75 and dinner, roast beef or ham, will be $3.

Oct. 28, 1976

LAUREL — Sunday guests in the Jim Schroeder home in Benedict were Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Schroeder.

Kris Retzlaff of Brookings, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Dave Schutte and family and Mrs. Rena Schroeder were Friday evening guests in the Clayton Schroeder home helping George celebrate his birthday.

Jay and Jill Stone of Norfolk spent Saturday with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stone.

Oct. 28, 1976

WAUSA — A tremendous comeback rally earned the Laurel Bears a 31-22 victory over Wausa in gridiron action Friday night. Laurel drew first blood, scoring a touchdown with 2:09 left in the first quarter, then was scoreless while the host Vikings put 22 points on the board. The Bears returned after the halftime break to play better than ever, mounting an attack to claim the victory.

Turnovers and penalties were a big factor. Nearly all of the TD’s came following lost fumbles or blocked punts. Officials blew the whistle for 20 fouls — Wausa was assessed 158 yards on 13 penalties; Laurel was called on seven infractions for 65 yards.

Mick Dalton was the workhorse for the Bears and was recognized by the coaching staff as Laurel’s offensive player of the contest.

The senior halfback scored four of Laurel’s five touchdowns, carried the ball on 18 trips for 45 yards, and caught three aerials for seven yards.

Mike Martin blocked a Wausa punt to set up the Bears first score. Ron Gadeken pounced on the pigskin on the Viking 27 and it took the local crew five plays to gain entry to the end zone.

Klyde Matthews and Scott Pigg share honors as the coaches’ defensive player selection. Pigg was the leading tackler making 17 stops and 11 assists; Matthews had nine tackles and was in on five others.

Toby Cunningham, with 10 tackles and eight assists, also made a good showing.

Oct. 29, 1981

LAUREL — Renee Gadeken has been selected to the first team (Clark Division) of the Lewis & Clark allconference volleyball team. A 5’9” junior Bearette, Renee has been a leading spiker as Laurel earned the Clark championship.

Anne Schultz, a 5’8” senior who helped pace the local gals to a 6-1 conference record, was named to the Clark Division second team.

Receiving honorable mention were Cyndi Jonas and Jayne Reynolds.

The selections were announced and awards presented following the conference playoff game at Allen.

Oct. 29, 1981

LAUREL — Tim Lineberry, a junior vocal music student under the direction of Catherine Harens, has been chosen as a member of the 1981 Nebraska All-State Clinic Chorus. Tim is one of only seven Bass I’s selected from the northeast Nebraska region.

All-State Chorus will be at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

The final concert will be at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Nov. 21.

Other Laurel-Concord vocal music students auditioning for the chorus were Jackie Crisp, Kelli Johnson, Shane Heydon and Sarah Swarthout. Auditions were held on Oct.10 at Creighton. Students auditioning for the chorus were required to learn four songs in Latin, one song in German and in Italian, and two songs in English, as well as the required scales and arpeggios.

Most of this article was written in 1992. It was titled “Trick or Treat and Smelly Feet.” I thought it might be appropriate to dig it up for readers who may not have been following this column 34 years ago. Readers will have to judge whether my writing has improved over the last three decades.

When Advocate Editor J. Frank Mills returned from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in October 1893, he declined an invitation to attend a Halloween party in Coleridge. “We would like to have been thar,” he wrote, “but circumstances compelled us to put up with just merely the thought of piled up carts and wagons and buggies and plows and old broken sleds and cows and whiskey barrels and a whole lot of other things that it wouldn’t do to mention.”

Frank may have missed the excitement in Coleridge, but there was plenty of action in Laurel on the town’s first Halloween Oct. 30, 1893. Someone blocked open the throttle on the steam engine at the Laurel roller mill; The whistle screeched and shrieked until someone eventually got out of bed and shut it down. And the next morning several homes were filled with smoke because pranksters had corked up the chimneys with fence posts.

The morning after Witching Night in 1894, townspeople awakened to find “the streets barricaded with wagons, buggies and vehicles of every description. A number of signs and barber poles were displaced and all sorts of jokes played,” said the Advocate of Nov. 5, 1894.

By 1904 the public was fed up with the masked marauders. Marshal Mc-Daniel was ordered to crack down on Halloween pranksters and little damage was reported that year. A serious act of vandalism occurred in 1906, however, when pranksters destroyed one of the bridges across the Fourth Street ditch.

Outhouses were always a popular target. It was considered great sport to upset the little two-holers and even more fun to set them back a few feet from their original location. This was not at all funny to a man who had eaten stewed prunes on a dark Halloween night. In 1908 one prankster fell into a privy pit while assisting in a Halloween house-moving. The Advocate of Nov. 5, 1908, observed: “Too bad his associates could not have shared his fate.” Editor Nevin did not name names, but the pungent perpetrator should have been easy to identify – even from several yards away.

Not everyone participated in the Halloween “hal-raising.” In 1907, 27 of Laurel’s young people enjoyed a unique Halloween party. The boys assembled at the Henry T. Ankeny home (probably 504 Oak), where they were met at the front gate by Margherita Ankeny and Mary Hoefflin disguised as witches. Then Clinton Price appeared in a “Brownie” costume with a kerosene lantern in his hand. Brownie Clinton ran through the streets of Laurel with the boys in hot pursuit. It was a dark gloomy night and there were no street lights of any kind.

Falling over displaced objects and into ditches where pranksters had removed the crossings, the boys chased the flickering fairy to the W.A. Price home (probably 310 Elm). The house was completely dark, except for the dim, orange glow of candles in Jacko- lanterns. The boys were ushered inside where they drew numbers. Then the girls appeared. They were dressed as ghosts and each was wearing a number. Each young man drew a number and was matched with one of the ghosts. Brownie Clinton ran back into the night with the boys and ghouls at his heels. They ran to the south part of town where they discovered the two witches (Ankeny and Hoefflin) tending a boiling cauldron behind the standpipe. But instead of frogs, lizards and toads, the cauldron contained weenies. After eating weenie sandwiches (now known as hot dogs), the party moved to Bessie Corey’s home where Alice Ford and Gwendolyn Boyle served crystallized popcorn and fudge.

By this time rain was falling heavily and it was again time to run. Laurel’s unpaved streets were becoming very muddy, as were the sheet-clad ghosts and goblins.

The next stop was the F.O. Brockway house that stood at 306 Elm. There they were greeted by Mrs. Brockway, dressed in solemn black, and Alice Sabin in a flashy red witch’s costume. The muddy merrymakers were ushered into the Brockway parlor where the ghosts shed their muddy sheets and revealed their identities. The young people were served pumpkin pie and apples out of a pumpkin shell. The evening ended with cake and coffee at the Price home.

Uh-Oh! Brownie Clinton left his lantern on the Brockway porch. And someone swiped it. Papa Price was perturbed. “You see the lantern was only loaned to the elf for the use that one night,“ said the Advocate, “and Mr. Price needs it in his business. Just leave it on his porch some dark night. He won’t ask any questions.” Despite the pixy’s pilfered lantern, the kids thought the evening was bushels of fun. And Mr. Price probably didn’t really need the lantern in his business. He was Laurel’s postmaster.

Another Halloween item added just this week: The decisions of police magistrates seldom make the national news. But in 1923 Sioux City Police Judge Carlos Goltz got his name in the national press when he sentenced a dozen boys who appeared before him for Halloween pranks to go home and have their parents administer a spanking. The press picked up the story and claimed Judge Goltz had inaugurated a “National Spanking Day.”

S. Duncan Wakefield, a relative of Goltz, saw the article in a Kansas City newspaper and wrote: “Allowing my memory to cover a lapse of 16 or 17 years, I recall a boy who was the most devilish Halloween prankster I ever saw. That boy was Judge Goltz.”

Carlos Goltz was the son of Alexander C. Goltz, one of Laurel’s founding fathers. Both Winifred Bass and Winnie Burns told this writer that Carlos was strong-willed and did not always follow rules. In 1908 his parents pulled him out of Laurel High and sent him to a military academy where he did graduate. He then went to graduate from law school.

•Listening to Central Region Vice-President Claire Woeppel’s Retiring Address that taught us how to “Be a Light.”

•Learning from keynote speaker Reagan Pugh that “we must stop searching for answers that can only come from experiences we haven’t had yet.”

•Taking in the sights of Lucas Oil Stadium.

•Creating our own soy-based candles at an artisan candle company called Middle David’s.

•Watching the Three Hills Rodeo: FFA Edition at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum.

•Exploring the Expo, talking to businesses, and networking with FFA members from across the nation.

In other LCC FFA activity this fall, the chapter also participated in land judging and dairy judging events.

On Oct. 7, the LCC FFA Chapter went to Scribner for Land Judging. In land judging, competitors evaluate soil qualities such as texture and composition. Eight students attended the event, ranging from seniors to freshmen. The team included Faith Galvin, James Recob, Stella Graham, Kory Burns, Elle White, Ambriella Kock, Owen Johnson and Jacey Folkers. Faith Galvin placed 72nd overall out of 263 people. The team placed 10th overall out of 14 teams.

On Sept. 23, the LCC FFA Chapter went to Hartington for Dairy Judging. In dairy judging, they judge different qualities of the cow, such as the udder, milk quality and many other characteristics. Seventeen students attended the event, ranging from juniors to eighth graders. In the senior division, Leah Gould placed 11th overall, and Grace Galvin placed 66th. In the junior division, the students placed seventh overall as a team with Anna Lipp placing 15th, Stella Graham placing 24th, Elle White placing 49th and Jacey Folkers placing 52nd. In the junior high division, they placed seventh as a team. Junior high student Easton Gould placed 13th, Maya Brummels placed 22nd, Braxton Reimers placed 39th and Grant Brummels placed 53rd.

LAUREL — Denise Christensen- Gubbel’s debut novel may be fiction, but its main theme is one that hits close to her heart.

“There are some breadcrumbs of truth in it,” the Randolph woman said of “Uniforms,” the romance novel she spent the last 25 years writing. “They say ‘write what you know’ and I’ve seen it firsthand.”

In “Uniforms,” the main character, Rachel, vows never to love after a painful childhood, but a new life and soulmate change everything. When ALS brings heartbreaking loss, she begins again and is drawn to a mysterious motorcyclist. As her past and present collide, Rachel discovers that love may find its way back.

The story was inspired by her late husband Clifford “Butch” Christensen who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It’s a neurological disorder that progressively damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. While there are some treatments to help manage symptoms, ALS is fatal and there is no cure.

“I wanted to be the voice of ALS,” she said. “(Writing the book) was more for him, and for other people. I wanted to tell their stories. ALS is one of the cruelest diseases I’ve ever seen. It’s a death sentence from the day you’re diagnosed. There’s no cure. They’re making strides but it’s just not fast enough.”

Writing about a cause she’s passionate about may have been therapeutic, but it’s not something she was aware of when each letter formed a word, words formed sentences, sentences formed chapters, and chapters formed a 400-page novel.

People are surprised drafting the novel spanned more than two decades.

“I didn’t write every single day. I went through years of never touching it,” she said. “I would go back and read it and think this is not the story I wanted to write.”

There was much revising, editing, revising again and even some re-writing entirely. But once she got the book written, that was only the beginning of becoming a published author.

“It’s ridiculous because you’ve done the hard part but there’s so much more to process,” she said from editing to cover design and finally publishing. “It’s not as easy as sitting down and writing a manuscript.”

What finally got her to the finish line? Mostly it was getting out of the way of her fear, she said.

“There was always a fear of it not being good enough,” she said. “There’s a huge wall of fear behind pulling the trigger because you don’t want it to suck.”

It also helps that she’s at a stage in life when she can devote more time to writing. In contrast, when she started writing 25 years ago, she was a single mother, just trying to make ends meet and survive the day to day.

AnotherturningpointforGubbels is meeting Emersyn Park, a Sioux Falls, S.D., author, who became an inspiration and helped guide her manuscript into a published book.

With Park’s assistance, Gubbels realized that self-publishing was the right move to make.

“I would’ve loved to find a literary agent and get a traditional publishing deal, be the next Jodi Picoult and a New York Times best seller. But I sent out hundreds of query letters and never had any success,” she said.

Even now, with her published book in hand, there’s some trepidation about people reading it. Her first book signing event is set for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Lied Randolph Public Library.

“I’m nervous, excited, scared, all rolled into one,” Gubbels said. “It feels very surreal. I’ve been overwhelmed by people’s positive comments.”

Even as she starts promoting her first book, Gubbels is forming a plan for her next one.

“I do have ideas rolling around in my head and I don’t know which route I want to start. God help me if it takes another 25 years,” she said with a smile.

Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said more than 2,250 ballots had been returned as of Tuesday afternoon. More than 5,600 ballots were mailed to voters, she said.

In Laurel, three candidates are competing for two at-large City Council seats. Alesia G. Barker, Cade Sohler and Britney Hart are listed on the ballot.

Voters may select up to two candidates, with the two highest vote-getters winning seats.

Coleridge voters will choose from one candidate listed on the ballot and three write-in candidates for two Village Board seats.

Steve Slattery is the only candidate whose name appears on the ballot. Jessie Jackson, Brent Hinspeter and Patsy Harlan filed as write-in candidates.

The election also marks a change for the Coleridge board. Longtime Village Board Chairman George Hefner did not file for another term, leaving the ballot without a Hefner for the first time in many years.

Voters wishing to support a write-in candidate must write the person’s name in the space provided for that office.

Voters in the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge school district will also select school board members.

Jay Hall, Paul Garcia and Bryan Pippitt are listed for four seats on the District 54 Board of Education. The ballot includes spaces for write-in candidates, and voters may select up to four people.

Along with local races, voters will consider three statewide ballot questions.

Proposed Amendment No. 1 would increase the limit on consecutive terms for Nebraska state senators from two four-year terms to three, allowing legislators to serve 12 consecutive years instead of eight.

A vote for the amendment supports extending the limit, while a vote against it would retain the current limit.

Two separate initiatives address online sports wagering.

Initiative Measure 440 would amend the Nebraska Constitution to authorize laws allowing people in Nebraska to place online sports wagers through authorized gaming operators at licensed Nebraska racetracks.

Initiative Measure 441 would enact statutes allowing and regulating those wagers through authorized operators or their platform providers.

Voters will mark a separate choice on each measure.

Cedar County’s election is conducted entirely by mail. Local races on each voter’s ballot depend on where the voter lives and which school district serves that residence.

Schmit reminds residents that completed ballots must be received at the county election office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

An Election Day postmark will not be sufficient, she said.

Voters may return ballots by mail or deliver them to the clerk’s office or the drop box outside the courthouse.

Voters with questions about their ballots or the election process may contact Schmit at 402254-7411 or visit the Cedar County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse at 101 S. Broadway Ave. in Hartington.

These new, fully online degree programs have been specifically designed for working professionals who have a clear understanding of their career pathways and what they want to do with their futures. Developed around the same core academic tenets and foundational disciplinary courses as WSC’s established and respected four-year programs in Business Administration and Special Education, these applied degrees provide adult learners with opportunities to reduce the time they spend learning in order to increase the time they spend earning.

First, fungal diseases have made noticeable impacts on corn fields in Nebraska this year. Fungal leaf diseases like tar spot and southern rust can cause early leaf death, while stalk rots weaken plants and increase the potential for lodging.

With some fungal diseases, residue quality may be somewhat lower. However, the bigger concern is that there may simply be less leaf material left. Along with husks, leaves are the primary component of residue-based diets. Their loss can shorten the window of quality grazing.

Another concern is downed corn. Stalk rots, wind damage and harvest losses may leave more grain in the field than normal. Cattle will seek out that corn first, and too much at once can lead to acidosis, or grain overload.

So how much corn is too much? Nebraska Extension has a simple way to estimate it.

In fields planted in 30-inch rows, count dropped ears along three separate 100-foot row sections. Add those ears together and divide by two. For example, 30 ears would mean about 15 bushels per acre left on the ground. Check several locations since losses can vary.

Once you’re above eight to ten bushels per acre, precautions are needed. Gradually adapting cattle to grain before turnout and strip grazing to limit access are two ways to reduce risk.

If you want more detailed information on managing downed corn, UNL’s Dr. Mary Drewnoski has a great article titled “Dealing with Down Corn” at the beef.unl.edu website.

If you’re already out counting ears, keep an eye out for moldy ears. While visible mold doesn’t necessarily mean mycotoxins are present, and cleanlooking grain isn’t a guarantee they’re absent, large amounts of moldy grain and ears warrant a closer look. Lab testing, while expensive, is the only reliable way to determine mycotoxin levels. Nitrates are another concern, particularly in drought-stressed corn. Nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk, while the grain, husks and leaves cattle prefer are generally much lower in concentration. Avoid turning hungry cattle onto suspect fields or leaving them long enough that they’re forced to eat stalks.

If drought stress was severe, especially in stunted areas, consider testing questionable material before grazing.

Finally, remember that residue quality declines as cattle graze. Once the grain, husks and leaves are gone, what’s left is lower in energy and protein. Dry cows in good condition may do well early in the grazing period, while lactating cows and younger animals may need additional supplementation. Monitor body condition, residue availability and adjust grazing duration accordingly.

Evaluating disease damage, downed corn and nutritional needs ahead of turnout can help make the most of crop residue while maintaining livestock performance.

-Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension office in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben.beckman@ unl.edu

HARTINGTON — The Cedar County Soil Conservation District has been awarded one of the 500 cash prizes and a plaque by the Omaha World-Herald in its soil conservation contest.

Farmers representing Cedar County in the contest were Warren Patefield of Laurel; Walter Steffen of Fordyce and John Fleming, Jr., and John Fleming, Sr., of Hartington.

Oct. 1951

HARTINGTON — Patty McCoy was crowned queen and Dan Sutton crowned king of the 1951 Hartington High homecoming.

 Oct. 1951

HARTINGTON — Four deer and 34 partridges were killed by five Hartington sportsmen who recently hunted a few days in the Lake of the Woods District in Ontario, Canada.

They were Ole Klanderud, Marvin Sorensen, Anton Jensen, E. W. Berglund and K. C. Burns.

Oct. 1951

HARTINGTON — The new bowling alleys at Sun Glo park to be known as The Sun Glo Bowl opened last week.

Oct. 25, 1956

HARTINGTON — Lawrence Rossiter, Cedar County Savings Bond chairman, announced this week that sales of series E and H savings bonds for the month of September amounted to $66,038.

This brings the total county sales of these two securities for the January-September period to $669,363 and represents 72.6 percent of the county’s 1956 goal.

Oct. 25, 1956

HARTINGTON — The 1957 Chevrolet trucks will go on display here tomorrow (Friday) in the showroom of the Hahn Chevrolet Co.

Describing the trucks as the most powerful and versatile Chevrolet has ever built, local dealer P.F. Hahn said the line ranges from pickups and sedans deliveries to giant tandems capable of performing on or off the highway. There is an all time high of 88 models on 22 different wheel-bases.

Oct. 26, 1961

HARTINGTON — The deadline to obtain new driver’s licenses is Monday, Oct. 30, Cedar County Treasurer Louis G. Riibe reminded motorists.

There have been 6,235 new driver’s licenses purchased at Mr. Riibe’s office. The treasurer reported yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) that 5,563 adult and 672 probationary licenses had been sold since Sept. 1.

All driver’s licenses expired Sept. 1. Motorists have a 60-day grace period in which to renew them.

Anyone who does not renew their license within the grace period will be required to take the driver’s examination.

Regular adult licenses are renewed for a two-year period. Probationary licenses—those issued to all drivers 19 years of age and under—will be good for one year.

The new 1962 license plates are here. Mr. Riibe has 7,850 license plates at the courthouse. One-hundred and fifty cartons weighing 6,840 pounds arrived Friday. Each carton contained 50 plates. Mr. Riibe had received seven cartons earlier.

The seven cartons contained trailer plates. Thirty cartons contained commercial and farm truck plates and 120 cartons had passenger car plates in them.

The plates are white with green numbers and lettering on them. The words “The Beef State” are across the top as in past years. There is the figure “19” on the lower left side of the plate. At the lower right side there is a green blank. It was planned to have small numerals pasted on the green space. However, Mr. Riibe said that will not be done.

The plates go on sale at Mr. Riibe’s office Jan. 2.

Oct. 26, 1961

ST. HELENA — Tuesday, Oct. 31 will be a very special day for members of Immaculate Conception Catholic parish of St. Helena and Rev. Ernest R. Halemba, pastor.

The new $125,000 school, convent and parish hall will be blessed and Father Halemba will celebrate the anniversary of his 25 years in the Catholic priesthood.

The solemn blessing of the new buildings and the solemn high Mass by the Most Rev. Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan of Omaha on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Rev. Halemba will be held at 10:30 a. m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Officers of the solemn high Mass will be Rev. Halemba, celebrant; Rev. Stanislaus F. Pieczonka, pastor of St. Francis parish in Omaha, deacon; Rev. Otto Buehler, St. Frances Church at Randolph, sub-deacon; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Floyd F. Fischer, director of Catholic charities, Omaha, assistant priest; Very Rev. Raymond Auer, Holy Trinity parish, Hartington; and Rev. Otto Zillig, St. Boniface parish, Menominee, deacons of honor; Rt. Rev. Msgr. Daniel Sheehan, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha, and Rev. Paul F. Peter, St. Michael’s church, Coleridge, masters of ceremonies.

HARTINGTON SENIOR CENTER MENU

 Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026: Ham Balls, cheesy potatoes, peas & carrots, apples, bun, butter, milk.

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026: Beef Tips, onion/mushroom gravy, garlic potatoes, carrots, tropical fruit, bun, milk, butter.

November menu was not available at time of printing.

PARK VIEW HAVEN ACTIVITIES: 

Thursday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. Hair Salon/Nail Salon, 1:30 p.m. Ecumenical Church All Saints, 2 p.m. Halloween Costume Party/LCC students, 4 p.m. Social Time.

Friday, Oct. 30: 9 a.m. Morning Coffee/Chronicles, 10 a.m. Trivia, 11 a.m. Current Events, 2 p.m. Halloween Movie, 4 p.m. Social Time. Residents final vote for pumpkin contest.

Saturday, Oct. 31: No activities listed.

November activities not available at time of printing.

COLERIDGE MEALS ON WHEELS 

Thursday, Oct. 29: Turkey w/ Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Herbed Seasoned Chips, Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie, Apple Slices.

Friday, Oct. 30: Chicken Lasagna w/alfredo sauce, Parmesan Broccoli, Garlic Breadstick, Peach Cobbler, Pears.

November menu was not available at time of printing.

Thursday, Oct. 29: Breakfast: Cereal Bars, Fruit, Juice, Milk; Lunch: Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Fruit, Milk 

Friday, Oct. 30: Breakfast: Chocolate Muffins, Fruit, Juice, Milk; Lunch: Spaghetti/Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, Veggies, Fruit, Milk 

Monday, Nov. 2: Breakfast: Assorted Cereal, Fruit, Juice, Milk; Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Veggies, Fruit, Milk 

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Breakfast: Sausage Biscuits, Fruit, Juice, Milk; Lunch: Tavern / Bun, Baked Beans, Veggies, Fruit, Milk 

Wednesday, Nov. 4: Breakfast: Banana Bread, Fruit, Juice, Milk; Lunch: Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Croutons, Veggies, Fruit, Milk INSERVICE – NOON DISMISSAL NO PRESCHOOL

HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL 

Thursday, Oct. 29: Breaded pork sandwich, potato wedges, baked beans 

Friday, Oct. 30: Taco salad, garlic bread, corn

Monday, Nov. 2: Fiestada Pizza, Tri-tater, Corn 

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Chicken Quesadilla, Corn

Wednesday, Nov. 4: NO SCHOOL

WYNOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 Thursday, Oct. 29: Breakfast: Cereal & Toast; Lunch: Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, Green Beans, Pears, Bun

 Friday, Oct. 30: Breakfast: French Toast & Sausage; Lunch: Turkey & Ham Wrap, SunChips/Doritos, Apples, Dirt Cup 

Monday, Nov. 2: Breakfast: Breakfast Slider; Lunch: BBQ Pork on a Bun, Pickles, Scalloped Potatoes, Cheesy Green Beans, Pears

 Tuesday, Nov. 3: Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza; Lunch: Taco Rice Bowl, Lettuce/Tomato/Salsa/Beans, Tater Tots, Grapes, Monster Cookie Bar 

Wednesday, Nov. 4: Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito; Lunch: Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potato & Gravy, Corn, Peaches, Bun