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SAVE SMALL TOWN BUSINESSES

Being a lifelong Cass County, NE resident, I've loved small towns my whole life. When moving to Murray 45 years ago, one of the many things I loved about this little village was Collins Grocery store on Main Street. The Collins family owned and operated the store for many years before my family moved here.

I remember walking to the store right after we moved here, on a perfectly beautiful day in April of '74, with my little girls, ages 2 and 4.  I enjoyed perusing the 3 or 4  aisles, meeting and being welcomed by the owners, Ellen and John Collins. Ellen soon rang up, which amounted to a total of 4 big, brown paper grocery bags full of goodies to stock our new kitchen with. Then, I suddenly realized I'd not driven the car there and there was no way I could carry all those big bags and keep two little ones in tow at the same time. John heard me telling Ellen about my conundrum and he started laughing.  He then told me that they also delivered groceries to lots of folks, at no extra charge,  and then told me that he and Ellen just lived half a block from me anyway, so it was no problem ~ just something they did on a regular basis anyway.

When my kids got old enough to walk to the store by themselves, I could trust the kind owners to send them home with exactly what I had on the list. They had a fresh meat counter where you could get roasts and steaks cut just the thickness you wanted, and John would even cut a pocket in thick-cut pork chops, if you wanted to stuff them. Sweet, little Ellen was usually stocking or dusting shelves and managing the cash register.  Many times they'd give the girls a piece of candy for doing their 'chore' well.  Truly sweet memories.

Ah...small town hospitality is surely missed these days. The day they closed the doors on that little store was a sad one in Murray's history. Businesses come and go, but when a business that has served all ages in the entire community closes, a large void is created that is, sometimes, never filled.

Just over a year ago, Murray Building and Supply, closed its doors, too. The 'lumberyard' was one of those places where you could go and just happen to run into one of your neighbors and the store employees made you feel like you were family.

I'm glad the building is not sitting empty and is occupied now by Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, but it's not one of those places you tend to go to several times each week or month. Anyone at some time or another may require their services and I sincerely hope Murray is their home for a long time to come.

A few weeks ago Jeff's Jack and Jill Grocery over at one of our small-town neighbors sadly closed its doors after many years.  Now,  Louisville, Nebraska is happy to announce that

'The Market FLC'

was scheduled to open in the same space, 205 Main Street, on Tuesday, December 17th.

The Market's convenient hours will be Monday thru Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm and Sundays, 8am to 5pm.

So if you're reading this, and often drive by Louisville in your travels, stop by The Market FLC, say 'hi' to the new owners, and pick up a few, (or a lot), of your grocery needs and wish them a warm welcome to Louisville!  Hopefully, with your support, The Market will become a long-lasting asset to another little Cass County town and not another struggling business that closes down.

Visit their website at The Market FLC and also on Facebook.

Bess Streeter-Aldrich Short Story Contest

Generate a fictional short story that is written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works while incorporating a theme that focuses on Nebraska’s family life, economy, history, cultural diversity, and/or geography (past, present, and/or future). Writers are encouraged to focus on historical and/or realistic topics. This year the Aldrich Foundation is paying tribute to Mrs. Aldrich’s book Spring Came on Forever and it would be an excellent resource.

Adult: 1st Prize $100; 2nd Prize $50; 3rd Prize $25
High School (Grades 9-12): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Intermediate School (Grades 3-5): 1st Prize $25; 2nd Prize $15; 3rd Prize $10
*Schools are limited to 15 submissions per teacher. Family members of the Aldrich Foundation Board are not eligible.
Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words (there is no minimum word requirement for the Intermediate Category)

Submit your story to the following link with the easy online form. The deadline is midnight February 17, 2020. Winners will be announced in April 2020.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejVHAJk6ckpk_6O3G5x5prnNxzEpkP5ej4d40dOLrsAWyDLw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0ybpUSIVji36xURjCAnlxhLFcvjhSjx1f0AW4MSmmu6tMyE0cxqsXPp0A

NOW HIRING!!!!!

·PT/FT Day, Evening, and Overnight C.N.A’s

·Weekend Baylor C.N.A’s

·Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN)

We offer free healthcare premiums for our full time employees, shift differentials, and competitive wages, full benefit plan, and paid time off. Call us at 402-234-2125 or apply online at wwwwww.louisvillecarecenter.com.

The Conestoga Backpack Pantry serves the Murray, Nehawka, Union and Beaver Lake areas in southeast Nebraska, although we will not turn away anyone in need. Food packs are placed in the childrens' locker at school to take home on the weekends, helping to sustain them until returning to school the following week.

Your kind donation of non-perishable food items can be made at Cornerstone Bank in Murray during business hours, Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm. We can also pick up your items, if you cannot drop them off. Call Jill at 402-660-3543 to make arrangements.

Some ideas are cereal, juice boxes, granola bars, cereal bars, pancake mix, peanut butter, jelly, tuna or chicken salad packs, fruit cups, raisins, cheese and cracker snacks, macaroni and cheese cups, etc. Keep in mind that some of the children are very young and are possibly 'preparing' their own meals. Easy to open containers are a good option for little hands.

Each time you shop, just pick up one thing and set it aside and after a few weeks, drop off your bag of items at the bank or church.

Thank you!