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1898, Murray, Nebraska, Main Street, looking east
Did You Know...
...That our village of Murray, Nebraska is now 125 years old! Twenty-five years ago when Murray celebrated its 100th birthday, the Village Board, with the help of community members, compiled and published a commemorative book. With thanks to Sherrill Konfrst for the loan of her book, I've found this interesting treatise is filled with 128 pages of photos and stories of early residents, businesses and homes. Many townspeople that moved to this area later also included their own stories.
If you've tried to do any online research about Murray, you've known it's been difficult to find any information. Don't you think it's about time to 'update' our village story?
Perusing through scrapbooks on loan from town hall, I've been scanning old photos that I'll post here in the Newsletter from time to time. I'd like for you, our readers, to help add to this online history of Murray, too.
Please send any information on homes and buildings in Murray, when they were built, street addresses, legal descriptions, if known, who's lived there through the years, etc. Are there any interesting facts about your home that you'd like to share? Is it true that there's a home here in town that once had a roller skating rink inside? Was your home moved across town, brought in from another area or was it moved from here? Have you added to its' square footage? Did you have your home built and reside there now? How did your street get its name? Find any interesting items when you tore out walls or dug up that crawlspace?
This can be fun, so let's get started! Dig out your old photos and see what you have to share. Email them, (in jpg format), please. If you prefer to mail them, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for their return to you. Email them to editor@MurrayNebraska.com or mail to Pat Zeigler, 201 N How Ave, Murray, NE 68409-8403.
BSA POPCORN SALE BEGINS SATURDAY!!! PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCOUTS!!!
There is a variety of flavors available in microwaveable pouches, pre-popped in tins or just original popping corn. New this year... Chocolatey Triple Delight, a chocolate-covered popcorn with butter toffee glaze and yogurt drizzle! Trail mix is now available, too! What if popcorn isn't your favorite treat, but you're looking for a way to help our local scouts? You can donate a gift of popcorn to military troops serving our country. Just choose the level of gift you'd like to send and it will be shipped on your behalf. Yours in Scouting.... the Boys in Blue and Tan! * * * Below are more pictures of Troop 471's canoe excursion down the Platte River on August 29th:
Above, Justin and Connor Below, Two Davids!
Above, Mitch and Aaron Below, Gene and Dalton
Above, Tom and Ryan Above, Scoutmaster Larry and Adam Below, Ricky and Dalton
Below, Troop 471 made it all the way to Schilling Wildlife Refuge!
Now it's time to set up camp... Putting up the tents for a good night's sleep! 'Minutes' Keep You Up-to-Date Murray residents who want to stay informed can click on the 'Village Office' tab (above) for minutes of the last monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees. Minutes (since February 2009) are archived here, also. Just scroll down toward the bottom of the page and click on any of those listed. Other special Village announcements, and soon the Town History, can be found at this tab, too. Grandpa's passed away and it's time to read the will!
"Lie, Cheat and Genuflect" at the Lofte The Lofte Community Theatre opens the hilarious comedy, "Lie, Cheat and Genuflect" on October 9. The fast-paced farce, written by William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore revolves around the two "black sheep" of the wealthy Buckle family. Two bumbling brothers fell out of their grandfather's favor several years ago, and know they don't have a chance at receiving any money. But, due to a string of unfortunate bets at the track, they're in debt to a low-rent loan shark. In their desperation, the brothers cook up a scheme to have one of them pose as their grandfather's favorite, a female cousin who happens to be a nun! A cast of colorful characters including a wine-swilling maid and a rookie lawyer add to the mayhem. Kevin Colbert of Weeping Water plays the scheming brother, Tom, who has all the answers. Have you ever seen a nun with five o'clock shadow? A Lofte favorite, Jamion Biesterfeld of Louisville will spend half his time as brother Billy and the other half as the fictitious "Sister Fernando." Other cast members include Anne Pope and Christina Tipken of Eagle, Shari Hoelker of Omaha, Dave Hibler and Kevin Holdorf of Manley. Director Kevin Colbert suggests a PG-13 rating for the production, and advises that some situations may not be suitable for very young children. Performance dates are Oct 9-11, 16-18 and 22-25. Curtain times are Thursday-Sautrday at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $16 and may be purchased by calling the Lofte box office at (402) 234-2553 or online at www.Lofte.com.
Pictured: Kevin Colbert and Jamion Biesterfeld "Lie, Cheat and Genuflect" to get their Grandfather's fortune! By Shannon King, FFA Reporter
On September 20th, the Conestoga FFA and Booster Club hosted the annual Homecoming Bonfire. The night was kicked off with Geezer Bowl 2009. During the first ever Geezer Bowl, the Conestoga Faculty played a grueling game of flag football versus various community members. The scoreboard malfunctioned, but many reports said it was too close to call anyway. Next, the FFA held their annual Labor Auction and free barbeque. The Labor Auction consisted of FFA members being auctioned off to community members. The FFA members will work for 8 hours for their buyers and learn about different careers, working environments, and job skills. The FFA generated a total of $2,245 from the generosity of the community. The earnings will go to pay for National Convention in October, leadership conference registrations in October, February, and May, and various meeting and banquet supplies. More of the night's festivities included the Conestoga Spirit Squads hosting fun games, like ships and sailors and shaving cream tug of war, for Conestoga students. Concluding the night were inspirational speeches by the football team and coaches with a giant bonfire firing up the crowds. The Conestoga FFA would like to thank all of the community members and the Conestoga Booster for making the night a great success. (Thanks, Shannon, for contributing this story.) Mahoney Ice Skating Lessons
For more information, contact:
Workshop for Folks Who Have Never Fiddled
For folks who have never played a fiddle or violin, and are brave enough to try, come to the Schoolhouse Fiddle Workshop for Folks Who Have Never Fiddled. Championship fiddler and fiddle book author, Deborah Greenblatt, will share some hints about beginning fiddling, shopping for a fiddle, reading music, playing by ear, etc. Fiddles will be available for participants to play, and source lists and advice for further study will be provided. T he Workshop takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2009, 1 PM - 3 PM, in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, Avoca, Nebraska. Pre-registration is required, enrollement is limted, and there is a $20.00 fee. For more information, call 402-275-3221, or send an e-mail to debby@greenblattandseay.com. High School Juniors and Seniors
September 24, 2009 - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, (pictured above), is seeking members for his Youth Advisory Council (AGYAC). This is the annual call for high school students, who are interested in learning more about our state government. AGYAC is composed of high school students, who are selected each year to represent schools and communities from across the state. The opportunity to participate is available to high school juniors and seniors. AGYAC members learn about state government and criminal justice issues at a one-day conference in Lincoln. The daylong event features tours of the Capitol and Penitentiary and includes discussion forums with some of Nebraska's top elected officials. AGYAC membership offers an excellent chance for students from District 2 to learn about our government and criminal justice system, fine-tune their leadership skills and enjoy the rewards that are derived from civic involvement. Students who have participated in AGYAC in the past report that it was a valuable learning experience. This year the invitation is also being extended to parents of the members, as well as to educators. During the conference, lunch will be provided for students. However, a small fee will be charged for parents and educators. Members of AGYAC can be nominated by educators or their state senator. If you are a high school junior or senior who attends a public or private school in District 2, and would like for me to recommend you for membership on the Attorney General's Youth Advisory Council, please send me your resume and a brief statement that explains why you would be a good candidate to represent District 2 on the AGYAC. Applications for AGYAC membership are due to Attorney General Bruning's office by Friday, October 16, 2009. All of the application forms can be mailed from my legislative office or downloaded from the Attorney General's web site at www.ago.state.ne.us We welcome your contacts by mail, phone or email. EASY CHICKEN (turkey or ham) DIVAN 16 oz. frozen broccoli cuts, rinsed & drained
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Cheddar cheese soup
3/4 c. milk
3 c. cut-up chicken, turkey or ham
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon
1/4 c. BOILING water
2 c. Bisquick
1 1/2 c. milk
*parsley, if desired
Heat oven to 450*. Lightly spray or grease a 9 x 13 pan.
In large bowl, mix broccoli, soups, 3/4 c. milk, chicken, onion powder. Dissolve bouillon in BOILING water and add to chicken/ broccoli mixture. Pour into pan.
Mix Bisquick and 1 1/2 c. milk. Pour evenly over broccoli mixture. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.
Bake 27-30 minutes or till light golden brown. Let stand, at least, 5 minutes before serving. Makes 8 - 10 servings.