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

LAUREL — Judge Bernard Burton, Red Cross representative for Cedar County, reports “Operation Ditty Bag” has now been completed and 145 bags are now on their way to help brighten Christmas for our boys in Vietnam.

“We received fine cooperation from the Tuesday club of Laurel and our leaders on Belden, Randolph, Coleridge, Wynot and Hartington,” he said. “I believe a special thanks should be given to Karen Hochstein and her crew who bought the material made the 145 ditty bags, filled them, then boxed the bags and prepared them for shipment.

The total amount for postage was $31.85 and around 65 bags were filled by Laurel alone.

Oct. 27, 1966

LAUREL — The American Dairy Association of Nebraska will hold a dairy meeting on Nov. 8 at the Den Cafe in Laurel commencing at 8:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to report to dairy farmers the program of American Dairy Association, both national and in the state.

Oct. 27, 1966 

LAUREL — Friday night the Laurel Bears flexed their muscles and showed enthusiasm of old as they marched by Madison 45 to 7.

The excellent blocking and tackling of all players gave the coaches a chance to put almost everybody into the game.

Leading the scoring parade was Larry Mason by running for three touchdowns. Jim Pedersen ran for a touchdown and kicked the extra point. Duaine Stingley ran for a touchdown. Jerry Schroeder ran the second half kick off 70 yards for a touchdown and Curt Boatman intercepted a pass and ran 55 yards to score. Jim Ebmeier kicked two extra points.

The Bears were also aided by a Don Pearson fumble recovery.

A bright future is in store for Laurel fans as such under classmen as Larry Smith, Dave Dietrich, Doug Felber, Jim Ebmeier, Jerry Schroeder, Tom Erwin, Jim Mallatt, Allen Garffis, Kenny Graffis, Dave Anderson, Mike McCoy, Bob Sanders, Jerry Nelson, Roger Wieblehaus, Tim Hattig, Larry Kittelson, Keith Lubberstedt, Lee Dahl, Randy Gowery and Wendell Hansen gave outstanding account of themselves.

Oct. 28, 1971

COLERIDGE —A Hobo Halloween Party is being planned for the Coleridge Junior High students Sunday evening, Oct. 31.

This will be a parent-sponsored party at the school auditorium. A scavenger hunt will be held and refreshments served. Parents are asked to pick up their children by 9:30 p.m. following the event.

Oct. 28, 1971

COLERIDGE —Ron Brodersen entered the Osmond General Hospital Friday after suffering a concussion at the Coleridge-Winside football game.

Oct. 28, 1971

COLERIDGE —The engineers for the sewer project have set up the following schedule of revenue for the Village users retroactive to Oct. 1.

The Village Board at the October meeting adopted this schedule: Residence, per month $1.50; Businesses, per month $2.50; School, per month $40.00.

The rally’s theme was based on Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord, the people he chose for His inheritance!”

Zone President Sheila Floyd welcomed the 32 attendees, including pastors and guests. Pastor Jeffrey Warner led the opening devotion, which included a responsive reading of Psalm 33:12-22 and reflections on the role of faith in America.

Warner emphasized the church’s mission to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and encouraged members to continue sharing their faith with children and grandchildren. The group also sang patriotic hymns and listened to piano duets performed by Karla Pippitt and Karen Knudsen.

Mary Rastede, leader of the Quilts of Valor group, was the guest speaker. She displayed several quilts and explained the organization’s mission to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.

Founded in 2003, Quilts of Valor has awarded more than 450,000 quilts nationwide. Rastede began her involvement after retiring and discovering the organization. She recruited other women interested in sewing quilts to honor veterans.

The local group’s members sew at home and meet at 9 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Methodist church in Allen. The group has awarded quilts to 324 veterans, including eight members of one family this past summer.

Members present quilts at Veterans Day services, schools, veterans’ homes and Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City. Because veterans’ names are not provided directly by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the group often learns about recipients through word of mouth.

The rally raised $780 to help cover fabric and other quilting expenses. Floyd also donated a decorative window featuring an American flag for the group to use in a future drawing to benefit a deserving veteran. More information about the organization is available at QOVF.org.

Pastor Martin Hill led a Bible study based on Matthew 7:24-25, which compares those who hear and follow Jesus’ teachings to a wise man who builds his house on rock. Hill discussed examples from the kings of Israel and Judah, emphasizing the importance of faith, repentance and reliance on God.

Floyd presented Hill with a quilt she had carried at the Nebraska North District convention in Gretna in June, recognizing his service as the zone’s pastoral counselor.

District President Tonya Waite traveled from Omaha to provide updates, including information about the district convention and its mission grant goals. The district established a goal of $87,000, including $33,000 for scholarships, $53,500 for projects and $2,026 for a Young Woman Representative grant.

Waite also announced that the district’s first mission grant payment of the fall, $10,000, would go to Camp Luther for a kitchen remodel at Gerwick Hall.

The zone’s 2027 spring workshop is planned for Martinsburg in April.

The national LWML convention will be held July 8-11, 2027, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Members also discussed the July 20-22, 2028 Nebraska North District convention. The Wayne and West Point zones will host the event at Lutheran High Northeast and will need volunteers to help with planning.

During officer elections, Floyd agreed to serve another two-year term as president, and Hill agreed to continue as pastoral counselor. Sally Griffin was elected treasurer by unanimous vote. Hill installed Floyd and Griffin in their respective offices.

The rally concluded with a $450 offering for the zone treasury, a closing prayer led by Warner and recitation of the LWML pledge.

Representatives attended from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concord, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Laurel, Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Winside.

The next Wayne Zone LWML Board meeting is 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne.

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 at 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.

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 Lady Bears raced to an eighth-place finish at the Class D Nebraska State Cross Country Championships Oct. 23 at the Kearney Country Club, recording 85 points to earn their highest state finish in at least 10 years.

Although the Lady Bears had hoped for faster times on the challenging 5-kilometer course, coach Brandi Settje said the team’s performance was something to celebrate.

“Eighth is the highest finish we have had at state in at least the last decade,” Settje said. “The girls were a little disappointed in their times, but if you look at the state overall, there were a lot of running upsets and slower times than usual.”

LCC junior Faith Galvin led the Lady Bears across the finish line, placing 17th in 21 minutes, 19.7 seconds, narrowly missing a state medal by two places.

Justice Olson was the next Lady Bear to finish, placing 49th in 22:22.7.

Madison Olson followed in 79th place with a time of 23:20.6, while Ava Christiansen finished 89th in 23:40.4 and Abigail Brummels was 93rd in 23:47.5.

McCool Junction claimed the Class D team championship with 15 points, while Nebraska Christian finished second with 32. Centennial was third with 39 points, followed by Crofton with 57 and Perkins County with 66.

McCool Junction’s Leah Dawson captured the individual state championship, covering the 5-kilometer course in 19:35.4.

Crofton’s Meredith Wortmann finished second in 19:57.3, followed closely by Delani Runnels of Niobrara- Verdigre in 19:58.8.

One of the biggest surprises of the state championships came in the Class D girls race.

Crofton sophomore Avery Arens, who captured the all-class gold medal and shattered the course record by more than 30 seconds as a freshman last year, went down during this year’s race and finished well back in the field.

The unexpected turn of events was just one example of how unpredictable the state championships proved to be.

For the Lady Bears, however, the final standings told only part of the story.

Settje said the team’s success was especially rewarding considering the obstacles the runners faced throughout the season.

“We were excited to get back to state this year,” Settje said. “With a couple of injuries and a couple of new runners on our squad, everybody just came together and ran for each other and just rallied.”

That willingness to support one another helped carry the Lady Bears through the season and ultimately back to Kearney.

“I’ve never had such a cohesive girls group as we did this year,” Settje said. “Their commitment to cross country and to each other really helped them to have a successful season. A trip to state was the cherry on top.”

While the Lady Bears may have left Kearney wishing for a few faster times, they returned home with something more lasting — one of the program’s best state finishes in recent memory and a season defined by the strength of the team.

Class D Nebraska girls state cross country championships Team standings (top 10) 1. McCool Junction, 15; 2. Neb. Christian, 32; 3. Centennial, 39; 4. Crofton, 57; 5. Perkins County, 66; 6. Ord, 71; 7. Aquinas Catholic, 79; 8. LCC, 85; 9. Amherst, 87; 10. Gordon-Rushville, 89.

Individual results (top five and LCC finishers)

1. Leah Dawson, McCool Junction, 19:35.4 2. Meredith Wortmann, Crofton, 19:57 3. Delani Runnels, Niobrara-Verdigre, 19:58.8. 4. Stella Steele, Centennial, 20:07.9; 5. Mazzy Kuchar, Elkhorn Valley, 20:10.0; 17. Faith Galvin (LCC) 21:19.7; 49. Justice Olson (LCC) 22:22.7; 79. Madison Olson (LCC) 23:20.6; 89. Ava Christiansen (LCC) 23:40.4; 93. Abigail Brummels (LCC) 23:47.5.

After outlasting Elkhorn Valley in a thrilling five-set battle for the GNAC title, the Lady Bears rolled past Boyd County in straight sets Oct. 26 to advance to the Class C2-4 Subdistrict Tournament championship match.

LCC, which improved to 29-3, swept Boyd County 25-11, 25-10 and 25-18 to earn a spot in the Oct. 27 subdistrict final against Ponca in Laurel.

The winner advances to the Class C2 district finals, where a berth in the Nebraska State Volleyball Championships will be at stake.

Coach Julie Kvols said her team is focused on putting together its best volleyball when it matters most.

“We’re at the point of the season where we just want to get out there and play and adjust to what is happening on the court,” Kvols said. “We have all of the pieces. We just need to have them show up on the court.”

Kvols said the Lady Bears have been putting in the work necessary to make a deep postseason run.

“Every player we have is playing very well right now,” she said. “You should see us at practice. Everyone is putting in the work. We need to just get the rewards for all of the hard work.”

Statistics from the Boyd County match were unavailable at press time.

While the subdistrict opener was relatively routine, the Lady Bears’ GNAC championship victory was anything but.

LCC appeared headed for a comfortable sweep of Elkhorn Valley in the conference championship match after taking the opening two sets by identical 25-16 scores.

The Lady Falcons, however, had other ideas.

Elkhorn Valley refused to fold, battling back to claim the third set 25-20 before edging the Lady Bears 26-24 in the fourth to force a deciding fifth set.

What was supposed to be a quick race to 15 points turned into a marathon of its own.

Neither team was willing to give an inch as the two conference rivals traded blows with the championship hanging in the balance.

When the dust finally settled, the Lady Bears had survived a 17-15 fifthset thriller to claim the GNAC crown.

The five-set battle produced some impressive individual performances, including two double-doubles for the Lady Bears and a third player who came within one kill of joining them.

Rena Rasmussen powered the LCC attack with 22 kills and 20 digs, while Kaida Eriksen was equally impressive with 21 kills and a team-high 27 digs.

Hattie McCorkindale narrowly missed a double-double of her own, finishing with nine kills and 19 digs.

Carlie Kvols kept the offense clicking throughout the marathon match, dishing out 51 set assists while adding four ace serves.

Eriksen also collected four aces, giving the Lady Bears a potent combination of offensive firepower and aggressive serving.

The Lady Bears earned their spot in the GNAC championship match with a convincing semifinal sweep of West Holt on Oct. 20 in Laurel.

LCC dominated the Lady Huskies 25-18, 25-9 and 25-15 to advance to the title match.

Rasmussen again led the offensive charge, hammering 21 kills while adding 16 digs. Eriksen contributed 14 kills and McCorkindale added eight.

Kvols handed out 43 assists in the three-set victory and joined McCorkindale with two ace serves apiece. Boston Brown added another ace.

The conference championship and opening-round subdistrict victory put the Lady Bears in position to continue their postseason run.

LCC was scheduled to face Ponca in the subdistrict championship match Oct. 27 in Laurel.

Although the subdistrict champion earns an automatic district final berth, the Lady Bears could also qualify as a wild-card selection if they fall to Ponca, depending on the final Class C2 point standings.

Class C2 district final pairings and locations will be determined following the completion of subdistrict play.

District championship matches are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, with the winners advancing to the state tournament.

Boyd County (12-18) — 11 10 18 LCC (29-3) — 25 25 25 Elkhorn Valley (15-12) — 16 16 25 26 15 LCC (29-3) — 25 25 20 24 17 LCC: Boston Brown 4 kills, 2 blocks, 7 digs; Hattie McCorkindale 9 kills, 1 block, 19 digs, 2 assists; Rena Rasmussen 22 kills, 1 block, 20 digs, 2 assists; Carlie Kvols 5 kills, 4 aces, 6 digs, 51 assists; Tae Settje 3 kills, 4 digs; Kaida Eriksen 21 kills, 4 aces, 1 block, 27 digs, 3 assists; Payton Swanson 1 ace, 16 digs, 1 assist; Kloie Ferris 1 assist. West Holt (14-15) — 18 9 15 LCC (29-3) — 25 25 25 LCC Boston Brown 1 kill, 1 ace, 2 blocks, 4 digs; Hattie McCorkindale 8 kills, 2 aces, 1 block, 7 digs; Rena Rasmussen 21 kills, 1 block, 16 digs, 1 assist; Carlie Kvols 2 aces, 3 digs, 43 assists; Tae Settje 2 digs; Kaida Eriksen 14 kills, 5 digs; Payton Swanson 1 kill, 10 digs; Kloie Ferris 3 kills.

Both units delivered. Quarterback Paxton Hoeppner connected with Drey Puppe on a 4-yard touchdown pass with just 43 seconds remaining to lift the Bears to a dramatic 26-24 comeback victory over Howells-Dodge on Oct. 23.

The fourth-quarter rally erased a 12-point deficit, secured the Class D2-2 District championship and improved LCC to 8-1 heading into the state playoffs.

“The game was what we expected it to be,” LCC coach Pat Harrington said. “They are a great program who knows how to win, so we knew we were going to have to execute to be able to beat them.”

Trailing 24-12 early in the fourth quarter, the Bears began their comeback when Hoeppner found Puppe for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Tanner Thompson added the two-point conversion to cut the Jaguars’ lead to 24-20.

The LCC defense then came through with a crucial stop, forcing Howells-Dodge to punt with 2:33 remaining.

Hoeppner directed the Bears downfield before finding Puppe for the winning touchdown with 43 seconds left. The conversion failed, but LCC held on for the 26-24 victory.

“We struggled at times with their rushing offense, but we made some very timely stops and the guys who have been making plays for us all season made them when we needed it,” Harrington said. “It was a super fun atmosphere and we were excited to come out on top.”

Puppe opened the scoring with a 57-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, giving LCC a 6-0 lead.

Howells-Dodge answered with a 3-yard scoring run and two-point conversion to take an 8-6 advantage into halftime.

Thompson put the Bears back in front with a long touchdown run in the third quarter, but the Jaguars responded with a 9-yard scoring run to regain the lead, 16-12.

Howells-Dodge extended its advantage to 24-12 with a 35-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter before the Bears mounted their comeback.

Puppe led the LCC offense with three touchdowns, rushing four times for 72 yards and a score while catching three passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns.

Hoeppner completed 9 of 20 passes for 112 yards and two scores, while Thompson led the rushing attack with 109 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Talon Carson caught four passes for 59 yards as the Bears finished with 312 yards of total offense, including 200 on the ground.

Defensively, Parker Hoeppner led the Bears with 20 tackles and an interception.

Dayton Korth added 16 tackles, including three for losses, while Cade Johnson recorded 13 stops, two tackles for losses and a sack.

Puppe and Carson each finished with 12 tackles, with Carson also collecting an interception. Jake Lipp added 10 tackles and a sack, while Thompson and Luke Erwin each recorded nine stops.

The Bears will open the Class D2 playoffs at home against Bruning-Davenport-Shickley at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Haskell Field.

The Eagles enter the contest with a 6-3 record and an offense Harrington said will challenge the Bears’ discipline.

“BDS is a very sound team that does some very creative things offensively, so we will need to be very disciplined on our approach to make sure we don’t fall asleep on what they run,” Harrington said. “They have very good skill guys who are dangerous with the ball in their hands. We will have to tackle well and keep them in front of us.”

Harrington said the Bears are looking forward to another opportunity to play in front of their home crowd.

“We’re excited to be back in the playoffs and getting to host, and we are trying to just keep getting better every week,” he said.

Howells-Dodge (7-2) 8 0 8 8 — 24 LCC (8-1) 6 0 6 14 — 26

FIRST QUARTER

LCC — Drey Puppe 57-yard run (conversion failed). HD — 3-yard run (conversion good).

THIRD QUARTER

LCC — Tanner Thompson TD run (conversion failed).

FOURTH QUARTER

HD — 35-yard run (conversion good). LCC — Drey Puppe 48-yard pass from Paxton Hoeppner (Tanner Thompson run). LCC — Drey Puppe 4-yard pass from Paxton Hoeppner (conversion failed). Passing: 9-20, 112 yards. Rushing: 21 carries, 200 yards. Total yards: 312. Passing: Paxton Hoeppner 9-20, 112 yards, 2 TDs. Rushing: Tanner Thompson 12-109, 1 TD; Drey Puppe 4-72, 1 TD; Paxton Hoeppner 3-20; Kai Hartung 2-minus 1. Receiving: Talon Carson 4-59; Drey Puppe 3-51, 2 TDs; Parker Hoeppner 1-9; Kai Hartung 1-minus 7. Tackles/Defense: Parker Hoeppner 20 tackles, 1 INT; Dayton Korth 16 tackles, 3 TFL; Cade Johnson 13 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack; Drey Puppe 12 tackles; Talon Carson 12 tackles, 1 INT; Jake Lipp 10 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Tanner Thompson 9 tackles, 1 TFL; Luke Erwin 9 tackles; Bryson Urwiler 5 tackles; Turner Thompson 5 tackles, 1 TFL; Kai Hartung 4 tackles; Foster Stone 1 tackle.

Cedar County’s combined county government levy is 0.205088, or about 20.51 cents per $100 of valuation. That amounts to approximately $205.09 on a property valued at $100,000. This portion supports the county’s general fund, emergency 911 services and bond payments.

That county charge is only one part of a property owner's tax bill, however. School taxes, municipal taxes and other applicable levies are added to determine the total.

For the Hartington taxing district, the listed combined rate is 1.224855, equivalent to approximately $1,224.86 for every $100,000 of taxable value. That total includes county, school, city, airport and several other levies.

The listed combined rates amount to approximately $1,289.97 per $100,000 of taxable value in Randolph, $1,385.93 in Laurel and $1,803.38 in Coleridge.

Natural resources district levies are listed separately, as are rural fire protection district levies. Any applicable charges from those districts must also be considered when determining a property’s complete tax bill.

Cedar County’s total assessed valuation is approximately $4.04 billion. That figure represents the property value used as a tax base, rather than the amount of taxes collected.

Also Tuesday, Commissioners revisited a long-running dispute over damage to county roads caused by fiber-optic installation.

They discussed developing a countywide policy requiring companies that plow fiber-optic lines through roadbeds to provide aggregate for repairs.

Commissioners discussed whether companies should provide material directly or reimburse the county and how the requirements should differ for lines bored underground versus plowed through roadbeds or placed in ditches.

No formal action was taken, but the board settled on the goal of having a policy in place by January.

Commissioners also received an update from Highway Superintendent Carla Schmidt on the Menominee bridge project.

The discussion included a target design speed of 35 mph, possible adjustments to a box culvert, minimizing easement acquisition and reviewing the plans with affected landowners before final design.

Veterans Services Officer Scott Stanton told commissioners 17 Korean War veterans in Cedar County were eligible to receive commemorative coins developed by the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He said a presentation was planned for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial, with arrangements for veterans unable to attend.

Commissioners approved one special designated liquor license for All Saints Parish for a bazaar fundraiser at St. Boniface in Menominee Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Commissioners also approved one building permit for Weston Fleming, Pct. 9, for a 22-by-28-foot house addition.

Dave Owens earned second place in the minivan division, qualifying for the 2027 National Community Transportation Association of America Roadeo.

Owens and Laura Noecker also received the Spirit Award for their enthusiasm, encouragement, costumes, props and overall participation in the event, which featured an Atlantic City theme.

Ashley Gowery was named Rookie Manager of the Year and was invited to join the NATP board.

The two-day event combined professional development with a driving skills competition for transportation providers across Nebraska.

The driving competition tested participants on pre-trip inspections, wheelchair securement and a driving obstacle course featuring 10 obstacles.

The competition awarded $250 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place. First- and second-place winners earned scholarships to compete in the 2027 national rodeo. Their managers also received scholarships to attend the national roadeo and expo, where they will be asked to serve as judges.

The 2027 CTAA National Community Transportation Roadeo and Expo is scheduled for June 6-9 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Roth seeks seat on LENRD board

Politics is tough, there’s no doubt about it.

My name is Layne Roth, and I’m running for office to be part of the solution. I am seeking a seat on the Lower Elkhorn NRD Board to get their focus back on the people.

No matter who you are, you deserve your money to work for you. My main goals are to Save Money, Save Water, and Save Lives. Our LENRD is supposed to work for the safety of us.

In the past in Randolph the LENRD had 50% cost match for a city park updates as well as the major flood risk management project along Middle Logan Creek which assisted in pulling many residents out of the flood plain for long-term benefits.

As recently as this year in Laurel the LENRD has worked with the City Council to share water resource reports to assist in managing water quality and protection. There is also the possible approval of the watershed improvement plan along the North Fork Elkhorn River targeting flood damage reduction.

One of my strongest values is that when people have what they need, they in turn offer their contributions because they have the opportunity to do so. Seeing that the progress from your local citizens’ hard work led to investments within your area showcases that everyone matters.

We can take care of each other by looking out for each other. That’s what I plan to do in this position. Feel free to reach out to learn more about my passion for learning.

Layne Roth Norfolk

Greetings, citizens of Laurel.

I wanted to be fully open and transparent and take the time to let you all know as an acting City Council member I made a mistake.

At the August 12, 2025 city council meeting I voted to approve a building permit for lot 508 Maple St. At the time of the vote, I had purchased the lot with a partner. The intention was to build a spec house so that Laurel had new home construction with the goal of attracting people to move to Laurel. I intended to have a positive impact on the community.

I should have abstained from the vote, since I had an interest in the property.

Had I abstained the motion still would have passed.

A complaint was filed against me and the enforcement can be found on the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission website, nadc.nebrask. gov, under Case #26-09.

In closing, I really feel that all of the homes being built in the City of Laurel will have a positive impact and appreciate the other investors/builders for investing in Laurel’s future.

Laurel continues to be a great place to live and raise a family.

Chris Hartung Laurel

LAUREL — The L. A. G. orchestra, which at one time was scheduled to furnish the opening number of the lecture course, arrived in town Friday evening to meet the engagement, only to learn the date had been cancelled several weeks before.

They had traveled all day to get here and were tired and hungry, but took the disappointment very gracefully.

Eight more pleasing young ladies it would be hard to find all at once, and those who were fortunate enough to meet them felt mighty sorry they couldn’t hear them play.

Through some mistake the bureau had failed to notify them of the change in the Laurel program.

Manager Wilson, of “The Divorce,” learning they were in town, invited them to see the play, and they accepted, thus putting in the evening.

They left on the early train Saturday for Stanton, where they were to play that night. It is to be hoped that if they ever get so far as Laurel again we shall all have the pleasure of hearing them.

Oct. 19, 1916

LAUREL — We have made a deal whereby we have come into possession of the John McQuillen elevator, and will operate the same the coming year.

We are now buying all kinds of grain, paying the highest market price for the same and would greatly appreciate a share of your patronage. Call on us and get quotations. We will also continue to handle all kinds of stock as heretofore. Yours for business.

Newman & Morten.

Doctor DeVore Oct. 19, 1916

LAUREL — Egger Bros., Albert Walton, Dr. J. C. Hay and E. P. Moore were in Dakota City Monday to attend the preliminary hearing of Dr. L. De-Vore, who was brought back last week from Challis, Idaho, by the sheriff of Dakota County.

The witnesses called were Miss Laura Nelson, Dr. DeVore’s housekeeper; Dr. J. C. Hay and E. P. Moore, and the prisoner was bound over to the November term of court, his bail being placed at $7,000.00. Dr. De-Vore is said to be 74 years of age.

As is well known to all Advocate readers, Dr. DeVore is charged with being responsible for the death of Mrs. Ira Nichols at his home in South Sioux City about a month ago.

Oct. 20, 1926

LAUREL — Manager Larson of the Auditorium movie show has just completed installing a new lighting system for his popular play house.

The new system consists of ten lights which may be controlled in any way. They can be turned up or down at the will of the operator and will add a great deal to the comfort of the patrons.

Each light is enclosed in a beautiful shade and it is a splendid improvement that will be appreciated by the patrons of the theatre. Manager Larson is always looking after the interests of his patrons and this is the big reason why his shows are so popular.

Oct. 20, 1926

LAUREL — A. E. Andrea, who came to this place three or four years ago as a student in the work of the Bell Telephone Co. and who worked under Mr. Shade, a former manager here, has just been made manager of the Fremont exchange of this company. Mr. Andrea left here about a year ago to take the managership of the station at Cedar Rapids. So successful was he in this position that he has been advanced to the responsible position at Fremont. His many friends here will be glad to learn of his success.

Oct. 20, 1926

LAUREL — Willie, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stalder, was seriously injured Tuesday at his home when a horse kicked him in the head. It required ten stitches to close the wound on his head. We have not been able to learn the details of the accident but he is reported as getting along as well as can be expected this morning. The many friends of the family will be sorry to hear of the accident.

Oct. 20, 1926

COLERIDGE — The Cedar County Protective association met at the Frank Kurtzhal home, near Coleridge on Tuesday afternoon. There were present about 125 members and much enthusiasm was shown in the meeting. The new membership plates were given out and the constitution and by-laws were read and some changes made, relative to the rewards offered for information leading to the capture of thieves.

These changes make the by-laws to read: The Cedar County Protective association will pay the following rewards to any person furnishing information that leads to arrest and conviction of anyone stealing property from a member of the association: $250.00 for livestock and poultry. $100.00 for any other article coming under grand larceny.

$50.00 for any article coming under petty larceny.

$25.00 will be paid for information leading to arrest and conviction of anyone stealing or mutilating membership plates of the association.

Only one reward will be paid in each case, though two or more persons may be involved in the offense.

This organization is gaining in strength and membership every week and is already making its influence felt in the community.

Many of the Coleridge merchants have signed their intention of taking membership in the association and the business people of Hartington and other towns will be given the same opportunity.

Oct. 20, 1926

LAUREL — M. T. Sullivan, George Griffith and L. C. Walling went to Wayne the latter part of last week to meet the state fish car which was distributing fish to the different parts of the country. Lo-Val Lake club had in a bid for some croppies and blue gills and they were successful in securing thirteen milk cans full of fish. The fish ranged in size from one can of large croppies to the small fry from the state hatchery. They were deposited in Lo-Val lake along with the other members of the finny tribe which calls that beauty spot home, and in a few years we will have a lot of fun catching them.

Oct. 20, 1926

LAUREL — Circus day in Laurel is to be Friday, Oct. 29. On that day the P. T. A. will present for the approval of the general public a “womanless wedding” which is absolutely guaranteed to make you smile, laugh, roar and roll over in glee. The plans are now going forward for the production and you want to grab the first ticket that is handed out to you because the auditorium is going to be about half too small to hold all that will want to see the different characters in their grease paint and make-up.

We’re not going to let you in on any secrets. We’re not going to tell you who is who. You’ve got to be on a paid seat to find that out. We will tell you this much. The following men of the community will positively appear in the show in some character: F. P. Voter, F. J. Embick, F. Henrickson, H. B. Bengston, B. H. Bell, W. F. Westrand, J. H. Coburn, Benjamin Mead, Walter Youngberg, R. L. Herse, R. P. Carroll, J. B. Besire, W. A. Crossland, E. W. Steinbock, L. C. Walling, W. H. (Bill) Roper, J. D. Lutton, F. A. Sandberg, M. T. Sullivan, D. D. Coburn, V. W. Langford, J. E. Larson, J. M. Manley, Cliff Snyder, E. N. Johnson, E. E. Dinsmore, R. R. Allison, H. J. Candor, O. L. Hedrick, A. D. Felber, Vic Henry, A. J. Terry, O. F. Petterson, Earl Rimel, E. O. Waite.

And they will represent the following characters: The bride, the groom, the minister, the soloist, the organist, the ushers, the flower girls, the bride’s maids, the groom’s sisters, the groom’s father and mother, the bride’s little sister, aunts of the bride, aunts of the groom, the old maid, the flapper, the disappointed lover and the uncle.

HARTINGTON — There have been 5,853 new driver’s licenses purchased at the office of Cedar County Treasurer Louis G. Riibe here. Mr. Riibe reported yesterday afternoon that 5,234 adult and 619 probationary licenses have been sold.

The deadline to obtain new licenses is Oct. 30, Mr. Riibe said. All driver’s licenses expired Sept. 1. Motorists have a 60-day grace period in which to renew them.

Oct. 21, 1976

LAUREL — The Bears were in command for the first quarter in Friday’s gridiron encounter with Creighton, but their defense broke down and the visiting Bulldogs romped to a 25-6 victory.

It was one of the poorest performances this year by the Laurel defensive unit. They held their opponents to eight yards rushing in the first 12 minutes of play but repeatedly gave ground during the remainder of the game.

The Bears were whipped up front as the Bulldogs found running room through the Laurel line, then broke tackles for big gains. Creighton rushed for 255 yards and scored all four of their touchdowns on running plays.

The Bulldogs scored on a 24-yard run with 2½ minutes gone in the second quarter and on a one-yard plunge three minutes before halftime. Their first PAT kick was good but the Bears blocked the second attempt.

With just over a minute elapsed in the third quarter, a Creighton player spurted up the middle, shook tackles and raced 58 yards to paydirt. The kick for the extra point was wide.A 28-yard dash at the end of the quarter put another six points on the board for Creighton. The run for the two-point conversion failed.

Laurel’s offense totaled 92 yards — 49 on the ground and 43 through the air. The Bears threw 22 passes and often had receivers open but the ball wasn’t on the mark — they completed eight.

Laurel got their only TD on a pass play with 3:57 left in the first quarter. The drive started at their own 45 following a punt return by Cleve Stolpe. It took the Bears 10 plays, and culminated with a 13-yard aerial from Gordon Kardell to Calvin Bingham. The kick for the extra point was blocked.

Don Dalton played a good game and was selected by the coaching staff as the Bears’ offensive player of the game. The sophomore halfback carried the ball seven times for 31 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards.

Other ground gainers for Laurel were Mick Dalton with 35 yards in nine totes and Cleve Stolpe, 17 yards in six carries.

Mick also was the target for three aerials for 20 yards.

Four drawings for cash and merchandise were to be held on Dec. 15, 18, 22 and 24. All persons except business men and their families, and employees and their families, were eligible to register. Following the drawing on Dec. 18, Santa would make his annual visit to Laurel bringing a sack of candy and nuts for each child.

Another early landmark bit the dust in December. A decrepit wooden building at 109 East Second was torn down to salvage the lumber. The building originally stood on the lot now occupied by Missa Sue’s Salon. It was moved from that site when Louis C. Tolles erected the triple brick building on the south side of Main Street in 1916. The old building formerly housed Newman and Morton’s livestock and real estate offices, L.D. Bruggeman’s insurance and Shorty Woods’ barbershop.

The same issue of the Advocate reported John Newman had died of injuries received when he was struck by a car while crossing a street in Sioux City during a November snowstorm. He remained in the hospital until his death.

“It is not known what type of building will be erected on the lot,” said the Advocate. As far as this writer knows, the lot remained vacant until Dixie Pehrson’s flower shop was built.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, the Laurel area was hit by another blizzard. Streets, roads and farm lanes were drifted shut by 60 mph winds. Church services and other activities were either canceled or experienced delays. Many rural children were unable to get to school on Monday morning.

Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night can prevent sports from going on. By Tuesday the roads had been opened enough for the Laurel Bears to travel to Wausa to play the second basketball game of the season. The Bears defeated Wausa 29-24.

On the way home from the game, Mrs. Keith Gilliland and Mrs. Aaron Kelly were injured when the car in which they were riding was hit by a drunken driver. Both women received cuts on their faces that required stitches. Mr. Kelly, who was driving the car, and the three basketball boys seated in the back seat were not injured.

Three Coleridge boys were stricken with polio. They were Merlin Burgel, 13, his brother Gerald, 17, and Curtis Papenhausen, 15. The boys were taken to a Sioux City hospital and treated with funds provided by the March of Dimes.

Laurel‘s mayor, Charles Ebmeier, passed away in a Sioux City hospital following an emergency operation.

Ebmeier was born in Westphalia, Germany in 1878. He came to America with his parents in 1885 and settled at Arlington, Nebraska. In 1890 the family moved to a farm three miles south Laurel. Ebmeier was a prominent Laurel businessman for many years. Following the death of his wife in October 1944, Charles moved into town. In May 1948 he was elected mayor by a vote of the Village Board. He died on Dec. 14 at the age of 70. The body of Sgt. Dewey Newton was returned to Coleridge for burial. He was killed in a mid-air collision with another plane either during takeoff or landing at Luliang China, on Feb. 4, 1945. He was a brother of Mrs. Rollie Brittell and Mrs. Walter Lindberg of Laurel.

It was announced that Sister Mary Bridgettine would be going to Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where she would take charge of a hospital. Sister Bridgettine was born in 1901 to John and Margaret Mills of Dixon. In 1922 she became the first Nebraska girl to enter the Maryknoll order. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1922 and was later sent to Saint Paul’s hospital in Manila, the Philippines. The hospital was destroyed during the war and she, along with other nurses, was interned in a Japanese prison camp from 1942 to 1945.

Following her release, she returned to the United States where she earned a degree in nursing education. In 1949 she was sent to Ceylon where she remained until 1959 when all missionaries were asked to leave the country.

In 1966 she went back to the Philippines where she remained until 1976 when her health began failing. Upon returning to the United States she entered the Maryknoll retirement home in Monrovia, Calif. In November 1981 she was moved to the Maryknoll nursing home in Ossining, N.Y., where she died a month later.

Dec. 28, Laurel was hit with another blizzard that blocked all roads, disrupted telephone calls and halted mail delivery. Most of the country roads were drifted and traffic was again at a standstill.

Despite the road conditions, the Laurel Fire Department planned to go ahead with their New Year’s Eve ball in the city auditorium. The Marx Rohan Orchestra was hired to provide music and the firemen provided hats, horns and other noisemakers to welcome in the new year. They also provided containers for cigarette butts and asked smokers to use them instead of tossing the butts on the floor. The reason was that the floor had just been sealed and a smoldering cigarette could ruin the sealer.

There was no mention of the dance being canceled, but another winter storm hit on Monday, January 3, 1949, and the roads were again blocked. More about the terrible winter of 19481949 in future articles.

Approximately 200 students from 16 Nebraska high schools competed in several events in different areas of business. They were accounting, business communication, computer science and technology, economics, entrepreneurship, introduction to business, introduction to Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), job interview and personal finance.

Bennington claimed first place, while Arlington and Elkhorn Valley took home second and third, respectively.

“We’re extremely happy that so many area high schools choose to participate in the Wildcat Business Invitational each year,” said Dr. Charles Parker, professor of business and economics at WSC and event coordinator. “It shows that students are committed to learning about the many aspects of business, which will help them in their college careers and later in life.”

Participating schools were Arlington, Bennington, Boyd County, Elkhorn Valley, Emerson-Hubbard, Gretna, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Lutheran High Northeast, Neligh-Oakdale, Norfolk High School, Osmond, Seward, South Sioux City, Summerland, Tekamah-Herman, and Wausa.

Friday, Oct. 23: Aging with Agility 9:15.

Monday, Oct. 26: Walking 9:00, Swoop 1:00.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Exercise 9:00, Pickleball 9:30-10:30.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Walking 9:00, Pool tourney vs. Wisner - lunch served.

PARK VIEW HAVEN ACTIVITIES: Thursday, Oct. 22: 9:00 Hair Salon/Nail Salon, 1:30 Ecumenical Church Reformation, 3:00 Scrap Booking, 4:00 Social Time.

Friday, Oct. 23: 9:00 Morning Coffee/Chronicles, 10:00 Trivia/ Current Events, 11:00 Red Solo Cup Table Tennis, 2:00 Movie and Popcorn, 4:00 Social Time.

Monday, Oct. 26: Pumpkin Decorating Contest, 9:00 Current Events, 10:00 Community Coffee, 11:30 Current Events, 2:00 Book Club/Coffee, 3:00 Card Club, 4:00 Coloring Contest Due.

Tuesday,Oct.27: 9:00Morning Coffee Club/Daily Chronicles, 10:00 Exercise with Wendy, 11:00 Puzzle Time, 2:00 Outside time, 3:00 Social Time, 4:00 Open Centers.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: 9:30 Catholic Rosary and Communion, 10:30 Chair Exercises, 11:00 Board Games, 2:00 Monthly Birthday Party, 3:00 Recipe Club, 4:00 Social Time.

COLERIDGE MEALS ON WHEELS Thursday, Oct. 22: Roast beef sandwich, Mashed Potatoes, Country Vegetables, German Chocolate Cake, Fruit Cocktail.

Friday, Oct. 23: BBQ pulled pork on bun, Creamy Coleslaw, Baked beans, Chocolate chip pumpkin bar, Mandarin Oranges.

Monday, Oct. 26: Menu not listed.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: French Dip Sandwich, Cheesy Hashbrown, Butternut Squash, Cucumber Salad, Mandarin Oranges.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Beef Chili, Side Salad w/dressing, Red grapes, Cream, Cornbread w/butter, Cinnamon roll.burger Soup, Diced Tomato Salad, Fruit Salad, Garlic Breadstick, Oatmeal Cookie

LCC led wire to wire against the Lady Bobcats behind a balanced hitting attack.

Rena Rasmussen hammered 19 kills, Hattie McCorkindale added 11 and Kaida Eriksen finished with seven. Carlie Kvols contributed four kills, while Boston Brown had three.

Kvols recorded a double-double with 34 set assists and 13 digs. Rasmussen added 10 digs for a doubledouble, while McCorkindale also reached double figures in kills and digs with 10 digs.

Rasmussen, Eriksen and Payton Swanson each served two aces.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Bears traveled to Elgin and swept Elgin Public/Pope John 29-27, 2515, 25-14.

After outlasting the Lady Wolfpack in the opening set, LCC took control over the final two sets.

Rasmussen and Eriksen combined for 38 kills. Rasmussen finished with 20 kills and 11 digs, while Eriksen recorded 18 kills and 18 digs.

Brown served three aces, and Kvols handed out 41 assists while finishing one dig short of a doubledouble with nine. Swanson added 12 digs.

LCC also defeated Cedar Catholic 25-17, 22-25, 25-14, 25-5 in an Oct. 13 home match.

The Lady Trojans evened the match with a second-set win, but the Lady Bears responded with convincing victories in the final two sets.

Kvols finished one kill shy of a triple-double, collecting nine kills, 22 digs and 39 assists. She also served four aces.

Rasmussen posted 23 kills and 12 digs, while Eriksen added 10 kills, 11 digs and four ace serves. McCorkindale chipped in eight kills.

LCC was scheduled to host West Holt in the GNAC semifinals Oct.

20. The championship match was set for Oct. 22 in Tilden.

KILLS

LCC— Rena Rasmussen, 19; Hattie Mc-Corkindale, 11; Kaida Eriksen, 7; Carlie Kvols, 4; Boston Brown, 3; Tae Settje, 2.

ACE SERVES

LCC— Rasmussen, 2; Eriksen, 2; Payton Swanson, 2; Brown, 1.

BLOCKS

LCC— Rasmussen, 2; McCorkindale, 1; Kvols, 1; Settje, 1.

DIGS

LCC— Kvols, 13; McCorkindale, 10; Rasmussen, 10; Eriksen, 10; Swanson, 7; Brown, 6; Settje, 3.

SET ASSISTS

LCC— Kvols, 34; Rasmussen, 1; Eriksen, 1. LCC 29 25 25 Elgin/Pope John 27 15 14

KILLS

LCC— Rena Rasmussen, 20; Kaida Eriksen, 18; Boston Brown, 4; Hattie McCorkindale, 2; Tae Settje, 2; Carlie Kvols, 1.

ACE SERVES

LCC— Brown, 3; McCorkindale, 1; Rasmussen, 1; Eriksen, 1. Blocks — Brown, 5; Eriksen, 3; Rasmussen, 2; Kloie Ferris, 2; McCorkindale, 1; Kvols, 1.

DIGS

LCC— Eriksen, 18; Payton Swanson, 12; Rasmussen, 11; Kvols, 9; Brown, 7; McCorkindale, 6; Settje, 1; Ferris, 1. Set assists — Kvols, 41; Brown, 1; Eriksen, 1. Cedar Catholic 17 25 14 5 LCC 25 22 25 25

KILLS

LCC— Rena Rasmussen, 23; Kaida Eriksen, 10; Carlie Kvols, 9; Hattie McCorkindale, 8; Tae Settje, 5; Boston Brown, 2; Kloie Ferris, 1.

ACE SERVES

LCC — Kvols, 4; Eriksen, 4; Brown, 2; McCorkindale, 1; Rasmussen, 1.

BLOCKS

LCC — Brown, 3; McCorkindale, 2; Rasmussen, 2; Settje, 1.

DIGS

LCC— Kvols, 22; Rasmussen, 12; Eriksen, 11; Payton Swanson, 11; Mc-Corkindale, 9; Brown, 8; Settje, 1.

SET ASSISTS

LCC— Kvols, 39; Rasmussen, 4; Eriksen, 3; McCorkindale, 1.Val

The Marvel Rivals Team featuring Hunter Benson, Cade Johnson, Seabastiaan Van Drongelen, Owen Johnson, Trystan Sims and Kyler Hangman defeated Chase County 2-0.

Thursday, Oct. 22: FFA National Convention at Indianapolis GNAC volleyball championships at Elkhorn Valley Friday, Oct. 23: FFA National Convention at Indianapolis Laurel Rec tailgate 7 p.m. Football at Howells-Dodge; parents’ night State cross country at Kearney Combined ROAR Saturday, Oct. 24: FFA National Convention at Indianapolis Monday, Oct. 26: Volleyball subdistricts TBD Tuesday, Oct. 27: Volleyball subdistricts TBD Bank branch open Bears on the Run 1 p.m. JH girls’ basketball and JH boys wrestling pictures Wednesday, Oct. 28: 2 p.m. Early dismissal (PD) Volleyball subdistricts TBD FFA Feed the Farmers at CVA Thursday, Oct. 29: Elkhorn Valley junior high vocal clinic 6 p.m. Wellness Night

Bruning was hovering around the medals after the first day when she posted an 88 and got to the clubhouse on day two with a very respectable 90 for a total of 178 which left her in a four-way tie for 22nd.

West Holt ran away with the team championship with a team total of 336, Scotus Central Catholic was the runner up with a 364.

Minden sophomore Macy Jorgensen carded a 143 over 36 holes to which is one shot under par to take medalist honors. West Holt’s Daleni Knust was just three shots back at 146.

BREAKFAST: Breakfast sandwich LUNCH: Chicken nuggets; alternate option: Grilled cheese; elementary snack: Granola bar Friday, Oct. 23:

BREAKFAST: Twist donut LUNCH: Barbecued pork sandwich; alternate option: Grilled cheese; elementary snack: Pretzels Monday, Oct. 26:

HS/ELEMENTARY LUNCH: Cook’s choice; MS LUNCH: Knuckleheads pizza; alternate option: Yogurt and cheese stick; elementary snack: Applesauce Tuesday, Oct. 27:

BREAKFAST: Coffee cake LUNCH: Crispito; alternate option: Yogurt and cheese stick; elementary snack: Grapes

Wednesday, Oct. 28:

BREAKFAST: Waffle sticks

LUNCH: Little Smokies and mac and cheese; alternate option: Yogurt and cheese stick; elementary snack: No snack

Thursday, Oct. 29:

BREAKFAST: Corn bread and sausage LUNCH: Wings; alternate option: Yogurt and cheese stick; elementary snack: Yogurt

The Bears improved to 7-1 and will host Howells-Dodge Oct. 23 at Haskell Field. The Jaguars also enter the contest at 7-1.

Kai Hartung got the Bears started against the Cougars with a safety, and LCC quickly took control.

Tanner Thompson scored on a 21-yard run, then hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Paxton Hoeppner. Successful conversions pushed the lead to 18-0.

Hoeppner connected with Drey Puppe for a 44-yard touchdown before Thompson scored on a 3-yard run. Thompson finished with two carries for 24 yards and scored on both attempts.

Paxton Hoeppner then found his brother, Parker, for a 10-yard touchdown to give the Bears a 40-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Hartung added a 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and Talon Carson caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Alex Kvols to stretch the advantage to 56-0.

The Cougars answered with a 56-yard touchdown run and a successful conversion before halftime, making it 56-8 at the break.

Neither team scored in the third quarter as the continuous clock took effect after halftime. Weston Patefield capped the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

Paxton Hoeppner completed five of seven passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Kvols added 22 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Patefield led the Bears on the ground with 38 yards on three carries. Puppe caught a 44-yard touchdown pass, while Tanner Thompson finished with two receptions for 40 yards and a score.

Hartung led the defense with 12 tackles. Bryson Urwiler added 10 stops, including two tackles for loss.

Dayton Korth and Anderson Hall also recorded two tackles for loss apiece, while Alex Allison had one.

Puppe intercepted a pass and returned it more than 40 yards, and Turner Thompson recovered a fumble.

LCC (7-1) 40 16 0 8 — 64 Lyons-Decatur (2-6) 0 8 0 0 — 8

FIRST QUARTER

LCC — Kai Hartung safety. 2-0. LCC — Tanner Thompson 21-yard run, conversion good. 10-0. LCC — Tanner Thompson 7-yard pass from Paxton Hoeppner, conversion good. 18-0. LCC — Drey Puppe 44-yard pass from Paxton Hoeppner, conversion failed. 24-0. LCC — Tanner Thompson 3-yard run, conversion good. 32-0. LCC — Parker Hoeppner 10-yard pass from Paxton Hoeppner, conversion good. 40-0.

SECOND QUARTER

LCC — Kai Hartung 14-yard run, conversion good. 48-0. LCC — Talon Carson 6-yard pass from Alex Kvols, conversion good. 56-0. LDNE — 56-yard run, conversion good. 56-8.

FOURTH QUARTER

LCC — Weston Patefield 32-yard run, conversion good. 64-8.

LCC Passing 8-14-132 Rushing 20-123 Total yds 255

PASSING

LCC— Paxton Hoeppner, 5-7, 110 yards, 3 TDs; Alex Kvols, 3-7, 22 yards, 1 TD.

RUSHING

LCC— Weston Patefield, 3-38, 1 TD; Tanner Thompson, 2-24, 2 TDs; Kai Hartung, 6-19, 1 TD; Bryson Urwiler, 2-18; Alex Kvols, 5-11; Talon Carson, 1-8; Drey Puppe, 1-5.

RECEIVING

LCC — Drey Puppe, 1-44, 1 TD; Tanner Thompson, 2-40, 1 TD; Dayton Korth, 1-16; Parker Hoeppner, 1-10, 1 TD; Turner Thompson, 1-10; Weston Patefield, 1-6; Talon Carson, 1-6, 1 TD.

TACKLES

LCC — Kai Hartung, 12; Bryson Urwiler, 10; Alex Allison, 6; Dayton Korth, 5; Tanner Thompson, 5; Clint Thurston, 5; Foster Stone, 5; Weston Patefield, 4; Talon Carson, 4; Luke Erwin, 4; Parker Hoeppner, 3; Drey Puppe, 3; Paul Allison, 3; Jake Lipp, 3; Cade Johnson, 2; James Recob, 2; Anderson Hall, 2; Kory Burns, 1; Alex Kvols, 1.

TACKLES FOR LOSS

LCC— Dayton Korth, 2; Bryson Urwiler, 2; Anderson Hall, 2; Alex Allison, 1.

INTERCEPTIONS

LCC — Drey Puppe, 1.