Murray Newsletter - August 25, 2010

08-23-2010_Full_moon

The moon shining over Murray on Monday evening, August 23, 2010.

I suppose there were moonless nights and dark ones with but a

silver shaving and pale stars in the sky, but I remember them all

as flooded with the rich indolence of a full moon.

~ Willa Cather ~

BOY SCOUTS' COURT of HONOR

On Sunday, August 15th, 2010, the Murray-Beaver Lake Boy Scout Troop 471 held Court of Honor at the Murray Christian Church.

During this special service, boys are recognized for their latest accomplishments and presented the badges of merit that they've earned over the past few months.

The boys' parents, the community, Murray Christian Church and other friends of scouting were thanked for their support, as well.

Pictured above, back row, left to right are Scouts of Troop 471:

Adam Bohan, Eagle Scout David Jensen, Dalton Topliff, Lucas Minor, Zeke Rouse, Assistant Scoutmasters Bill Bohan and Gene Topliff.

In front: Dalton King, Jacob Morris, Hunter Tesarek and Scoutmaster Ricky King.

MURRAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

150 YEARS YOUNG!

On August 18,1860 "The United Presbyterian Congregation of Rock Bluffs" was organized and services held every other Sunday in the Rock Bluffs village school house. Shortly thereafter, an acre of wooded land was purchased on the east side of the Missouri river that furnished the lumber for the first church. Nearly all of the construction was done by members of the congregation.As a new and completely debt-free place of worship, on February 16, 1862, the doors to the furnished church opened to the public. Sabbath School was organized by Reverand Thomas McCartney on March 9, 1862.

Some time after the Spring of 1878, Mr. James Walker of Fairview, (now Murray), offered one-half acre that adjoined land he'd previously donated to District 56 School. The old Rock Bluffs churchwas demolished. The first recorded communion services in the new church building, now called "Fairview United Presbyterian Church" was in the month of November, 1878.

In January 1879, the church's name was changed to "Pleasant Hill United Presbyterian Church", but in March of that same year, it was voted to change the name back to "Fairview United Presbyterian Church".

In the Fall of 1880, the Reverend G.R. Murray was installed and continued to serve the congregation for 10 years. Then, in 1890, both the town of Fairview and the name of the church were changed to "Murray", in honor of Reverend Murray.

On September 25, 1897, a large congregation assembled in the old church building for its' retirement. They then dismissed to meet at the foundation of their new church. The 100th Psalm was sung and a prayer by Reverend J.D. Oldham was given. A history of the congregation, copies of the Holy Scriptures, bible songs, the church newsletter, called "Indianapolis Institute", and a list of all present
members was put into an iron box in the cornerstone, which was then set in place.

The new building was filled to overflowing when it was dedicated on May 29, 1898. After the first service the building committee announced that $100 was still due on the new building. A collection was taken and more than enough money was contributed to pay off the debt.

As time went on, many changes were made. In 1918, electric lighting was installed. In 1943, a Memorial window was presented to the church. In 1950, the north half of the parsonage property was sold to Richard Tritsch, where he then built a home, selling it 5 years later to Harley Lloyd.

In 1952, after the death of James P. Latta, the church learned that it had been named as an heir to his estate and an electric organ was purchased in honor of the father of James, Sam G. Latta. Also in 1952, exterior work, the pastor's study, a furnace room and large Sunday School room were made in the basement. A new kitchen was added and all floors covered with asphalt tile. Men and women of the congregation donated many hours in doing most of the work. A new dedication was planned for May 19, 1953.

Many of the furnishings were donated as special gifts to the church at that time. Furniture, carpeting, bibles, candles and candlesticks, flower stands, kitchen lights, song books, folding chairs, and an electric clock, roaster, refrigerator and stove were all generously given, among many, many other items.

The origin of the wood used to make the cross for the communion table makes it even more special. As a boy, Charlie Mead played in the shade of two walnut trees in Polk County, Missouri. He grew and married and his three daughters, Evelyn, Lois and Florabel also played under these trees.Around 1920, Charlie cut the trees and had them made into lumber. In 1925 he moved his family to Nebraska and brought the walnut lumber along, too. Since the trees and the church were both started in life at about the same time, .Lois' husband, Jim Comstock, made a cross out of that special lumber.some of this lumber. At this writing,(in 2010), this same cross still stands on the communion table.

In August of 1960, the church celebrated its' 100th birthday. By 1970, there was a need for more parking,so the east yard was converted to a parking lot.and in 1975 a new sound system installed in the sanctuary. Two years later, new lighting was put in the sanctuary and in the many years that followed, air conditioning, re-shingling of the roof and new restrooms all needed to be added or updated. In appreciation of their church, many donors saw to it that these necessities were accomplished, again, through gifts of all sizes.

The current church building was 100 years old in 1998 and the original cornerstone was then placed in the entryway for display.

The new millennium saw more projects which included replastering and painting the sanctuary and, again, reroofing the church and manse. A host of fundraising activities aided in meeting many of the needs of the church. Father-Son and Mother-Daughter banquets, golf outings, holiday dinners, craft shows and rummage sales have all been well-attended and helped to keep the church in fine shape.

On Sunday, August 15, 2010, Pastor Jeff McDonald delivered a special service at the Murray Presbyterian Church celebrating its' 150th year and highlighting the past 20 years. Approximately 100 members were in attendance including former pastors of MPC, Reverend Joe Barr, Reverend Heidi McGinness and Reverend Dr. Martin McDaniel. Each of these special pastors took part in the service. Long-time members, Olin and Evelyn Morris of Lincoln, also attended, which was a special treat for many members.

Presentation of a 150th-year banner made by Anna Mallett also took place during the service and Donna Tritsch dedicated the Dr. John Gilmore Fellowship and Dining Hall in honor of a benefactor and dear friend of the church.

A catered luncheon followed the service, then the congregation gathered outside for a group photo, taken by Cortney Weatherby.

According to session records from the church, some interesting statistics are that it has seen 307 children and 160 adults baptized. There have been 93 marriages since 1936 and since 1968, 90 deaths. Its' cumulative membership since 1860 is 1,024.

The Murray Presbyterian Church has served Murray and the surrounding communities well during its' 150 years in service.

CONESTOGA SPORTS SCHEDULES

JV SOFTBALL

AUG 31 @ JOHNSON COUNTY CENTRAL - 5PM
SEPT 2 @ SYRACUSE - 5PM
SEPT 4 @ HOME AQUINAS/ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC - 11AM
SEPT 7 @ HOME vs FALLS CITY - 5PM
SEPT 13 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 5PM
SEPT 14 @ HOME vs AUBURN - 5PM
SEPT 16 @ HOME (CASS COUNTY CENTRAL) - 5PM
SEPT 20 @ NEBRASKA CITY - 5PM
SEPT 23 @ WAHOO - 5PM

VARSITY SOFTBALL

AUG 26 @ RAYMOND CENTRAL TRI - 4:30
AUG 31 @ JOHNSON COUNTY CENTRAL - 6:30
SEPT 2 @ SYRACUSE - 6:30
SEPT 4 @ HOME vs AQUINAS/ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC - 12:30
SEPT 7 @ HOME vs FALLS CITY - 6:30
SEPT 11 @ FALLS CITY INVITATIONAL - 9AM
SEPT 13 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 6:30

SEPT 14 @ HOME vs AUBURN - 6:30

SEPT 16 @ HOME, CASS COUNTY CENTRAL - 6:30

SEPT 18 @ PLATTSMOUTH INVITATIONAL - 9AM

SEPT 20 @ NEBRASKA CITY - 6:30
SEPT 23 @ WAHOO - 6:30
SEPT 25 @ YUTAN, ECNC TOURNEY - 10AM
SEPT 27 @ DC WEST, VALLEY TRI - 4:30
OCT 4 @ GRETNA TRI - 4:30

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

SEPT 14 @ WEEPING WATER - 5:30
SEPT 16 @ HOME vs SYRACUSE - 4:30
SEPT 20 @ ELMWOOD-MURDOCK - 4:30
SEPT 25 @ FORT CALHOUN TOURNEY (A) - 9AM
@ PLATTSMOUTH (B/C) - 9AM
SEPT 28 @ AUBURN - 4:30
OCT 4 @ HOME vs LOUISVILLE - 4:30
OCT 5 @ HOME vs ELMWOOD-MURDOCK - 4:30
OCT 11 @ ASHLAND-GREENWOOD - 4:30

FRESHMAN VOLLEYBALL

SEPT 16 @ WEEPING WATER - 5:30
SEPT 18 @ CONESTOGA INVITATIONAL - 9AM
SEPT 20 @ HOME vs SYRACUSE - 6PM
SEPT 27 @ PLATTEVIEW TRI - 5PM
SEPT 28 @ HOME vs MALCOLM - 5PM
SEPT 30 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 5:30
OCT 4 @ HOME vs LOUISVILLE - 5:00
OCT 7 @ HOME vs EAST BUTLER - 5:30
OCT 9 @ JCC INVITATIONAL - 9AM
OCT 19 @ FORT CALHOUN - 5PM
OCT 22 @ HOME vs ASHLAND-GREENWOOD - 5PM
OCT 26 @ AUBURN - 5PM

JV VOLLEYBALL

SEPT 11 @ SYRACUSE TOURNEY - 8:30AM
SEPT 16 @ WEEPING WATER - 6:30 PM
SEPT 20 @ HOME vs SYRACUSE - 7PM
SEPT 27 @ PLATTEVIEW TRI - 5PM
SEPT 28 @ HOME vs MALCOLM - 6PM
SEPT 30 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 6:30
OCT 4 @ HOME vs LOUISVILLE - 6PM
OCT 7 @ HOME vs EAST BUTLER - 6:30
OCT 11 @ TEKAMAH-HERMAN TRI - 5PM
OCT 12 @ LOUISCILLE TRI - 5PM
OCT 19 @ FORT CALHOUN - 6PM
OCT 22 @ HOME vs ASHLAND-GREENWOOD - 6PM
OCT 23 @ WEEPING WATER INVITATIONAL - 9AM
OCT 26 @ AUBURN - 6PM

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

SEPT 2 @ RAYMOND CENTRAL TRI - 5PM
SEPT 4 @ WEEPING WATER INVITATIONAL - 9AM
SEPT 7 @ HOME CONESTOGA TRI - 5PM
SEPT 9-11 @ MALCOLM INVITATIONAL - TBA
SEPT 16 @ WEEPING WATER - 7:30
SEPT 21 @ BENNINGTON TRI - 5:30
SEPT 28 @ HOME vs MALCOLM 7PM
SEPT 30 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 7:30
OCT 2 @ HOME, BIG CAT INVITATIONAL - 9AM
OCT 7 @ HOME vs EAST BUTLER - 7:30 PM
OCT 12 @ LOUISVILLE TRI - 5PM
OCT 14 ECNC TOURNEY TBA - 5PM
OCT 16 ECNC TOURNAMENT SECC - 10AM
OCT 19 @ FORT CALHOUN - 7PM
OCT 22 @ HOME vs ASHLAND-GREENWOOD - 7PM
OCT 26 @ AUBURN - 7PM

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL

SEPT 20 @ ELMWOOD-MURDOCK - 4:30
SEPT 28 @ SYRACUSE - 4:30
OCT 5 @ HOME vs YUTAN - 5PM
OCT 12 @ HOME vs LINCOLN LUTHERAN - 5:30

JV FOOTBALL

SEPT 7 @ ASHLAND-GREENWOOD - 6PM
SEPT 13 @ LINCOLN CHRISTIAN - TBA
SEPT 20 @ HOME vs AUBURN - 6PM
SEPT 27 @ LINCOLN LUTHERAN - 4:30
OCT 4 @ LOUISVILLE - 6PM
OCT 11 @ HOME vs FALLS CITY - 6PM

VARSITY FOOTBALL

SEPT 3 @ HOME vs BROWNELL-TALBOT - 7PM
SEPT 10 @ LOUISVILLE - 7PM
SEPT 17 @ LOGAN VIEW - 7PM
SEPT 24 @ HOME vs PLATTEVIEW - 7PM
OCT 1 @ HOME vs AUBURN - 7PM (HOMECOMING)
OCT 8 @ FALLS CITY - 7PM
OCT 15 @ HOME vs DC WEST - 7PM
OCT 21 @ SYRACUSE - 7PM

SIGHTREADING MUSIC WORKSHOP

A Sightreading Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 1 PM - 3 PM in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in picturesque Avoca, Nebraska.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to play with other music students, and sightread music that you've never seen before, and don't have to ever see again. During the workshop, musicians will be discussing how to negotiate new compositions with minimum stress, and maximum music. The beauty of this workshop is that all you have to do is show up!

There is no preparation necessary, although pre-registration is required, and there is a $20.00 fee.

For more information, call 402-275-3221, or e-mail debby@greenblattandseay.com.

CONESTOGA FFA at COUNTY FAIRS

The Conestoga FFA competed, volunteered and celebrated county fair time. The Conestoga FFA is the only FFA chapter in Cass County. This opens the door for the FFA to be active in the Cass and Otoe County Fairs. The county fairs provide FFA members with an opportunity to show off and earn premiums for their agriculture projects. The exhibits can range from livestock to agriculture communication projects.

During the Cass County Fair from August 12-14, the Conestoga FFA members volunteered at the Cass County Fair Mutton Bustin youth event. At the Mutton Bustin event, members helped pass out t-shirts, corral sheep, announce, and line-up the participants. Members also ran an FFA putt-putt booth to advertise the activities of the FFA on Thursday and Friday. The Cass County Fair peaked during the parade. FFA members cooled off the day by spraying water squirt guns throughout the parade.

After the Cass County Fair, Conestoga FFA members competed in fair events at Otoe County from August 15-17. Cory Schlichtemeier, Georgia Stawniak, and Dustin Knabe showed their swine projects. All three competitors received purple ribbons in showmanship. Cory's market swine earned champion light weight market gilt, two purples and reserve champion swine carcass. Georgia's pigs earned three purples and Dustin's received two blues and one purple.

Wade Sexton did very well with his beef cattle. Wade received purple for his Gelbvieh Cow and Calf and Reserve Champion Breeding Beef for his
Shorthorn heifer. Wade won Grand Champion Showmanship, which is quite an accomplishment for a freshman competing against students that can be up to 3 years out of high school.

Rounding out the county fairs, Amber Burg and Elizabeth Rice showed horticulture projects. Elizabeth received purples on her Gomphrena, Lambs Ear, Liriopes, Thyme, Cleome, Spaghetti Squash, Butternut, and Hot Peppers and blues on her Sedum, Hostas, Lavander, Marigolds, and Green Beans. Amber received purples on her Grape Jelly, FFA Calendar, and Yukon Gold Potatoes, blue on her Red Tomatoes, and a red on her Concord Grapes.

Above, right, Wade Sexton of the Conestoga FFA

Story and photo contributed by Jon Anderson, FFA Leader.

"Jake's Women" On Stage at Lofte Theatre

The Lofte Community Theatre in Manley opens Neil Simon's play, "Jake's Women" on August 27. Mr. Simon is one of America's favorite playwrights. His uncanny knack for balancing humor with drama continues to resonate well with audiences of all ages.

Written in 1992, the script is fairly modern and translates well to today's audiences. The story revolves around Jake, a writer whose second marriage is in crisis because of his unresolved feelings for his first wife, who is deceased. Jake begins to play a game where he summons the people in his life for "imagined conversations." However, soon, the women start entering his world without his control and the hallucinations start to cause havoc. Jake's first wife, second wife, daughter, sister and therapist are soon interrupting his daily life and making Jake question what is real and what is imagined.

The production is directed by and stars Kevin Colbert of Weeping Water in the title role. The rotating cast of women in Jake's life are played by Brigid Amos and Brenna Thompson of Lincoln, Shari Hoelker of Omaha, Melinda Mead of Plattsmouth, Alyssa DiPaolo of Elmwood, Renae Koehler of Firth. Young Riah Carrera of Bellevue makes her Lofte debut as Jake's young daughter.

Performance dates are August 27-29, September 3-5 and 9-12.

Curtain times are 7:30pm on Thursday-Saturday and 2pm matinees on Sundays.

General admission tickets are $16.

Reservations can be made by calling the Lofte ticket office at (402) 234-2553.

The Lofte is located near the intersection of Hwy 1 and Hwy 50 near the town of Manley. For driving directions and more information about the theater, please visit our website, www.Lofte.com.

Above, Jake and his women. Clockwise from bottom left: Riah Carrera, Alyssa DiPaolo, Shari Hoelker, Melinda Mead, Brigid Amos, Brenna Thompson and Kevin Colbert.

The Lofte Community Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization supported
in part by The Cooper Foundation, The Midlands Community Foundation, and the Cass
County Visitors Promotion Committee. The Lofte Community Theatre is dedicated to
providing opportunities for area residents of all ages to participate in the creation process
and companionship of live theatre in rural Nebraska and to enjoy the social, artistic, and
educational benefits of this art form.

Box_Top_for_Education

The Conestoga Music Department is still collecting Box Tops for Education, so please cut those little pink rectangles from packages and send them to the high school.

Thanks!!

WANTED!

Your favorite recipes using summer's fresh harvest to
publish here in the Newsletter!

See 'How to Submit Articles for this Newsletter' below

AND SPEAKING of FOOD......

From Diana at the Cass County Extension office, if you like to can and preserve the harvest for enjoying later in the year, check out the newly revised: "Let's Preserve: Canning Basics", now available on-line:

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/ec434/build/ec434.pdf

Morton-James Public Library

OTOE COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING

OCGS will host its September meeting at 7:00pm on September 9th at the Morton-James Public Library at 923 First Corso in Nebraska City.

Lincoln Family History Center director, Tina Wells, will give a presentation on 'Resources from Family Search'. This presentation will cover how to utilize the Family History Center's resources from not only the FHC's facilities, but from your home computer, as well.

APPLEJACK FESTIVAL

Don't miss it!

Sep 17-19

Nebraska City, NE

Craft shows, museum tours, reenactments, quilt show, classic car show, enormous parade, AppleJam Fest with live music and children's activities, Arbor Day Farm and Tree Adventure festivities.

For More Information: Phone: (402) 873-6654
Website: http://www.nebraskacity.com
E-mail: tourism@nebraskacity.com

For MORE fun things to do in Nebraska, go to

http://www.visitnebraska.gov

CONESTOGA SOFTBALL STARTS SEASON

A warm, late summer evening in Murray means you might be lucky enough to find the Conestoga Softball teams having a game at Young Park. That's how it was Monday, August 23rd. A large crowd was on hand with the bleachers packed. Cars and trucks lined both sides of the road with fans leaning out the windows, watching from lawn chairs and seated on blankets on the west bank above the ball field.

The JV team started the first game of the season at 5:00, with the Varsity game following. The girls played hard, but unfortunately lost both games, to Cass County Central, a team formed with girls from Weeping Water and Louisville.

The new concession stand at Young Park was really cookin' during the games, too! The Conestoga Music Department was busy serving up, burgers, hotdogs, popcorn, candy and all kinds of cold drinks. Those serving up the treats said how much nicer it was than the previous building, which was out-dated and cramped. It's nice to finally have the building completed and in use - and it will get a LOT of use, I'm sure!

Heatstroke 100 Bike Ride

The Great Plains Bicycling Club (GPBC) is sponsoring the 6th annual Heatstroke 100 bicycle ride through Saunders, Sarpy, and Cass Counties on Sunday August 29th. The ride starts at the SAC Museum and includes three loops totaling 105 miles.

If you'd like to join the riders you can find more information at www.greatplainsbikeclub.org .

If you're not inclined to join the riders, then please watch out for them out on the roads.

OFFUTT'S AIR SHOW is THIS WEEKEND!

Offutt's 2010 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show is
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., this Saturday and Sunday, August 28th and 29th.

The annual open house and air show are both free and open to the public.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be taking the trip to America's heartland to perform
at the open house event.

For more information, check it out here:

http://www.offutt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123216748

The CASS COUNTY GOING GREEN recycle trailer will be located in the
southwest corner of the Murray Rural Fire Dept.'s parking lot the following dates:

September 4 - 10
September 25 - October 1
October 15 - 22
November 6 - 12
November 27 - December 3
December 18 - 24

(The Waste Management recycle bins located behind Town Hall are for
Murray residents only, although Murray residents may also use the
Cass County Recycle Trailer.)

HOW to SUBMIT ARTICLES for this NEWSLETTER...

Event announcements and advertising can be an enormous expense when
you're wanting or needing to get the word out. If you've checked into regular
newspaper pricing lately for such items, you'll know what I'm talking about. So
why spend your hard-earned money, when you can accomplish the same thing
right here - FREE - on your local news website?

Below is a list of categories that will cost you absolutely nothing, except the
time to submit it, (which you'd have to do with a regular newspaper anyway):

Wedding / Engagement Announcements and Photos
Birth Announcements
Letters to the Editor
Birthday Greeting
Upcoming Events
Cards of Thanks
Obituaries
Recipes
and So Much More.

That's right! These are all items that can appear FREE of CHARGE
in each Wednesday's Murray Newsletter and/or Calendar!

All YOU have to do is send the information to us - it's that simple!

Deadline for submissions to each week's Wednesday Newsletter is
NO LATER THAN NOON on the prior MONDAY and it's so easy to submit
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Murray Newsletter - August 25, 2010