Murray Newsletter - August 5, 2026

 

 On this day, August 5, 1957, Billy Williams sang "Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and The Chordettes,  did "Just You and ME" on the very first nationally viewed American Bandstand show, hosted by Dick Clark, on ABC TV!  
"That'll Be the Day", by Buddy Holly and the Crickets was the first song that was danced to on that iconic show.  Click on those 45s to hear some great old tunes and
Rock on!

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Books Chosen to Represent Nebraska at National Book Festival

“Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better” and “The Antidote” chosen for the National Book Festival’s Great Reads from Great Places program.

The Nebraska Center for the Book has selected a youth book and adult book that feature Nebraska to represent the state at the 2026 National Book Festival: Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen and The Antidote: A Novel by Karen Russell.

Both titles will be part of the National Center for the Book's Great Reads from Great Places program. Great Reads from Great Places features books and authors representing the literary heritage of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Marianas. For over 20 years this program has included a highlighted youth title from each affiliate center. In 2022, Great Reads from Great Places began including titles for adults for the first time.

This year's National Book Festival on August 22nd will be held in-person in Washington, D.C., but will include many livestreamed and recorded virtual programs celebrating books and authors.

The Festival Near You

This year Nebraskans will have the opportunity to join in the fun with programming featuring our Youth Great Read. The Festival Near You, is a statewide initiative celebrating the 2026 National Book Festival by bringing Nebraska’s Great Reads from Great Places youth book to communities, and offers Nebraskans a chance to engage with literature close to home.

As part of the programming, schools and libraries across the state can check out a free book club kit of Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better. The Nebraska Library Commission has 50 books available for checkout, each reservation will include discussion guides, activity prompts, and bookmarks. To further support statewide engagement the author, Mylisa Larsen, will offer eight virtual author visits to Nebraska schools and libraries who check out the book club kits. These interactive sessions give young readers the chance to ask questions, learn about the writing process, and connect directly with the author whose book represents Nebraska on the national stage. Libraries and educators can register for these visits on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Find about The Festival Near You programming and National Book Festival at https://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/programs/nationalbookfestival.html.

About the Books

“Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better” by Mylisa Larsen (Clarion Books, 2024)

“Quagmire Tiarello prides himself on not needing anything from anybody. Sure, his mom is skipping work again and showing signs of going into one of her full-out spins, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. He’s used to her up-and-down moods, even if this time it feels a little different. Then his mom disappears, and Quag must find shelter with an uncle he didn't know he had. Should he come clean about his mother’s mental health challenges? Or can he use his carefully honed skills to bluff long enough to find his mom and get home? Readers will root for Quag as he finds himself rethinking his world and learning to accept help from the people who love him.”

Nebraska’s Great Reads from Great Places book is chosen from the previous year’s Nebraska Book Award winners and this book was awarded the 2025 Nebraska Book Award in the Teen Novel category.

“The Antidote: A Novel” by Karen Russell (Knopf, 2025)

“The Antidote opens on Black Sunday, as a historic dust storm ravages the fictional town of Uz, Nebraska. But Uz is already collapsing—not just under the weight of the Great Depression and the dust bowl drought but beneath its own violent histories. The Antidote follows a “Prairie Witch,” whose body serves as a bank vault for peoples’ memories and secrets; a Polish wheat farmer who learns how quickly a hoarded blessing can become a curse; his orphan niece, a basketball star and witch’s apprentice in furious flight from her grief; a voluble scarecrow; and a New Deal photographer whose time-traveling camera threatens to reveal both the town’s secrets and its fate. “

Chosen as the 2026 One Book One Nebraska selection, libraries across Nebraska and other literary and cultural organizations have participated in book discussions, activities, and events that encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases .

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IMPORTANT - TAKE NOTE of THIS!

 

The postmarks on your letters and packages may no longer reflect when you mailed them.

In late 2025, the USPS announced that, going forward, date stamps in postmarks would indicate when mail is received at processing facilities, not when it’s collected by a mail carrier or dropped off at a post office. As a result of adjustments to transportation operations, some mail might not arrive at a processing facility the same day it was sent.

That means mail that must be postmarked by a certain date, such as tax returns and mail-in ballots, could be marked as late if you wait until the last minute to send it. You’ll need to get it in your mailbox sooner, or take it to a post office to request a manual postmark that aligns with the date you send it.

READ MORE HERE.

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Head Start Preschool serves children and families in the counties of Johnson, Pawnee, Richardson, Nemaha, and Otoe. Early Head Start, implemented under the SENCA Head Start Program in February 2026, currently serves expectant mothers and children, age birth to three, in the counties of Johnson and Otoe. Contact information can be found in the newsletter.

Our next quarterly newsletter will be sent out in October, with a focus on Weatherization, Radon Mitigation, and other housing related programs.

As a recap of SENCA activities during the months of May and June, on May 2nd SENCA recognized 60 years of service in addition to celebrating May as Community Action Month.

On June 13th, SENCA hosted the agency’s 20th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament and Raffle at Kirkman’s Lakeview Golf Course. A total of 12 teams, 48 golfers, participated in the four person scramble. Congratulations to four teams who placed in the tournament – 1st Flight, 1st Place – Witt Team 1; 1st Flight, 2nd Place, - Swanson Team; 2nd Flight, 1st Place – Blecha Team; and 2nd Flight, 2nd Place – Witt Team 2; the flag prize winners, and those who won raffle prizes. SENCA genuinely appreciates the support of donors, sponsors, golfers, event helpers, and all those who purchased raffle tickets – Thank You!!

As SENCA continues to celebrate 60 years of improving lives and strengthening southeast Nebraska communities, our staff has been preparing to participate in area county fairs, as well as community based parades. The first event takes us to the Pawnee County parade on Thursday evening July 16th.

August really ‘heats up’ with temperatures on the rise and parades scheduled in Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, and Richardson counties. In September SENCA will be participating in Cass County as well as the Richardson County Fair in Humboldt, home to SENCA’s Central Office.

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The next meeting of the Murray Freedom Festival will take place at Murray Town Hall, 7 pm, on Thursday, August 6th, 2026.  Meetings are on the first Thursdays of each month, same place and time, except for July.

Please come and share your thoughts and comments on our annual 4th of July celebration, so that we can try to make it even more fun each year!
The public is welcome to attend!

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WOULD YOU HELP FILL a CHILD'S TUMMY?

The Conestoga Elementary School Backpack Program continues to furnish food and hygiene supplies to local families in need. The program serves the Murray, Nehawka, Union and Beaver Lake children. At this time, monetary donations are not accepted, however you can still help.

By picking up a few of these nonperishable items on your next shopping trip, and donating them to the school, you'll be helping a small child in a big way. Keep in mind that some of the children are very young and are possibly 'preparing' their own meals, so ready-to-eat, easy-to-open containers are a good option for little hands.

Granola/protein bars
Fruit snacks
Canned meat (chicken, tuna)
Single-serve tuna/chicken salad w/crackers
Peanut butter
Jelly
Single-serve cereals
Single-serve fruit cups/raisins

Also needed are hygienic supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, cotton swabs and tissues..

You may drop off your items at Conestoga Elementary School,, 104 E. High Street, Murray, NE.

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At Conestoga Jr.-Sr. High School, we have Cougar Corner, where students in need can find food and snack items, (good for sports' practices and training), along with hygiene items, tampons, pantyliners, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, cotton swabs, tissues, as well.

Canned soups
Ramen noodles
Granola/protein bars
Fruit snacks
Dry pasta
Spaghetti sauce and/or mixes
Canned meat (chicken, tuna)
Single-serve tuna/chicken salad w/crackers
Boxed, prepared meal kits (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Canned vegetables
Single-serve cereals
Single-serve fruit cups/raisins

You may drop off these items at Conestoga Jr-Sr High School, 8404 42nd Street, Murray, NE.

Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

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Hope & Healing Program

Removing Financial Barriers to Mental Health Care

Be the Light, Hope & Healing is a financial assistance program designed to ensure individuals and families can access professional mental health therapy — regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Who We Are:

Be the Light, Hope & Healing is a program operated by Be the Light, Speak Up, Speak Out, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Our mission is simple: To ensure that cost does not prevent someone from receiving mental health support.

Who We Serve:

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CLICK the RED SENCA HEART BELOW TO READ the LATEST NEWSLETTER!

DO YOU NEED HELP with FOOD, HOUSING or OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES?
SENCA (Southeast Nebraska Community Action) is HERE to HELP YOU!

To drop off donations or pick up food at the local food pantry, you need to make an appointment. 

Monday - Friday
8am - 4:30 pm
Call or text for appointment, 402-297-7418

SENCA Cass County Outreach
First Presbyterian Church, lower level
701 Chicago Ave.
Plattsmouth, NE 68048

(Please enter at the lower level on the north side of the church at the driveway directly across from Oakmont Drive, off of Chicago Avenue.) 

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 *CRITICAL NEED FOR BLOOD DONORS*

The Red Cross Blood Bank is dangerously low on blood! Blood type O is at such a low as to only have a one-day supply, if no catastrophic event occurs. PLEASE donate, no matter what your type.

PLATELET SHORTAGE!
There is a platelet shortage right now. All eligible donors are being called to make a platelet donation appointment to ensure patients have lifesaving care. 

"You must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it."

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Your support can make a lifesaving difference. Explore the ways you can get involved, whether it’s giving blood, making a financial donation, volunteering or learning lifesaving skills.

Schedule your blood, platelet or AB Elite plasma donation today!

 

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We would like to invite everyone to attend the next Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast Sunday, August 16th 2026 from 7am to 11am.

We will again be serving Pancakes, Sausage, Eggs, Cinnamon Rolls, Biscuits and Gravy, Orange Juice, and Coffee.

Free will donation

Come join us for a great breakfast for a great cause!

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UNION ORCHARD SUMMER SATURDAY MUSIC EVENTS

2405 S Highway 75, Union, NE, United States, 68455
402-263-4845

Grill and Bar opens at 6pm
Music starts at 7 pm

Please NO outside food or drinks

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August 8, 2026

DUSTIN WEST BAND

WEEPING WATER COMMUNITY CENTER

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Check out new website at www.happypawsplattsmouth.org

And download foster application!

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PLATTSMOUTH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (P.A.R.C.)
KB0SMX

P.A.R.C. members get together Tuesday evenings at Plattsmouth's Burger King at 6 pm.

Monthly meetings the last Saturday of most months at Mom's Cafe in Plattsmouth, 8 am.  

(NO December monthly meeting.)  

Click HERE or on the radio antenna logo above to read the latest newsletter and calendar.

For more info, contact Roger Behrns, rb55930@windstream.net or call 402-234-6775.

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AREA LIBRARY EVENTS:

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