What's New

 

 

In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.

John Burroughs
1837~1921
American naturalist, essayist, active in the conservation movement in the United States.

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(Editorial by Pat Zeigler)

Do you remember 'Current Events' hour in school? We'd have read the morning newspaper's national, international or local news, and anything that piqued our curiosity. We'd then cut the article out, (literally cut it out with scissors!), bring it to class and read it out loud to our peers. Afterward we'd discuss it and hear our classmates' views, whether pro, con or neutral, and try to seek answers to the questions we had about it. Sometimes we'd go back to a subject in a few days or weeks to follow-up on the progress of what was going on. It might have been about an unsolved crime, a big social event, or about something our elected officials were debating about. We were always encouraged to find a different topic, whether it was on science, sports, design, fashion, civics, nature, etc., it didn't matter. We had the advantage of really listening to each other's point of view during a real discussion, not through a text or email. It was one of my favorite classes and I immersed myself in it.

Now, we're bombarded 24 hours a day with altered photos and one-liners that have been taken out of context from their original meanings.  Sometimes, the person talking is only looking at a camera, so they have few, if any, qualms about whether what they say could be harmful to a real person watching them. Gullible people tune in, looking to be entertained, as if this were a game show or soap opera. Some even send money to the sponsors and advertisers and that keeps those shows on the air. Sadly, some folks, eager to part with their hard-earned money, find they've been taken.

The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan national education nonprofit organization, is focused on helping you find the facts in the news. There you can find all kinds of information to help sort the true from the false, such as how to spot a conspiracy theory and where a digital photo was really taken. You can also learn how to have a discussion with friends and family again, by using their tactful hints.

The NLP website is a treasure trove of information to help you find the credible news you need. News Literacy Week is in full swing right now. Open your mind and find out more HERE.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022 AT 8 AM – 4 PM
Valentine's Day Open House
All Cornerstone Bank Locations

Come celebrate Valentine's Day with Cornerstone Bank!
We will have cookies and refreshments at all of our branch locations on Monday, February 14th in honor of Valentine's Day!
Stop by to pick up a new 2022 calendar.

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We are thrilled to announce our 2022 educational line-up!

Each month our coalition will focus on educating the community about a specific tobacco issue through our listserv, social media, and advertising. Additionally, at each monthly meeting a national or local speaker will educate our members & guests on the topic. We are currently meeting on the 4th Thursday of the month from 11:30-12:30 via zoom.

Please join us January 27th to hear from March of Dimes regarding the intersections of tobacco and pregnancy. Please invite a colleague or friend!

Register HERE.

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MURRAY RESIDENTS,

PLEASE HAVE TRASH AND RECYCLE TOTES TO CURB BY 6 AM EACH MONDAY MORNING.

THANK YOU!

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Visual and Performing Arts immersion Experience

Open Space for visual, performing arts expands with writing, speech; application is open!

Note: For more information, contact Michael Howie at mhowie@hastings.edu or 402.984.9408.

(Hastings, Nebraska) – Open Space for the Visual and Performing Arts immersion experience for high school students is expanding for it’s summer 2022 program to include creative writing and speech. The application for Open Space and additional details can be found at hastings.edu/openspace.

The immersion programs — one for visual arts and one for performing arts — will run concurrently Sunday, June 12 through Saturday, June 18, 2022, on the Hastings College campus. Creative writing and speech are both in the performing tract, although new electives this year will allow students to cross over into other disciplines and have a broader experience.

“Open Space is a wonderful opportunity for talented high school students, and we’re excited to be expanding even further this year to include creative writing and speech,” said Dr. Annette Vargas, Hastings College vice president of student access, enrollment and performance. “Open Space lets high school students gain many new and creative experiences and really shine as they grow in confidence in their talent and abilities. We simply love hosting them, and providing this opportunity.”

Open Space will accept a total of 80 students for 2022, with about 30 of those spots for a visual arts focus and 50 for a performing arts focus.

The visual arts track will accept high school students who are currently juniors and display a high level of artistic ability. Selected students will spend their week in the world-class Jackson Dinsdale Art Center to gain hands-on experience in a range of art mediums, from glassblowing to sculpture to drawing, and meet Hastings College faculty to discover future opportunities for careers in art.

Open Space for the Performing Arts accepts high school sophomores and juniors with exceptional talent and interest in pursuing music, theatre, creative writing and/or speech in college. This group will focus on advanced techniques and styles within a specific area of music (instrumental, piano, vocal), theatre (acting, technical theatre), creative writing and speech.

Students in both tracks will have the opportunity to rotate among electives, including interdisciplinary electives that give students the opportunity to experience and learn about multiple visual and performing arts areas.

Open Space for the Visual Arts and Performing Arts is valued at more than $1,000, but the Jackson Dinsdale Endowment Fund at the Hastings College Foundation generously grants each student a $750 scholarship to attend, lowering the student commitment to $250. However, no student will be turned away due to finances, as additional assistance is available to families who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.

Student applications require a letter of recommendation and an audition or portfolio. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2022.

Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings’ student-centered initiatives include providing books, an iPad and a two-week study away experience at no additional cost. A block-style semester schedule allows professors and students to focus on fewer classes at a time and promotes hands-on experiences. Discover more at www.hastings.edu.

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NATIONAL BLOOD CRISIS!
Worst Blood Shortage in Over a Decade!

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. Please schedule your blood donation today.

Local Volunteers and Blood Donors Needed 

To Schedule Your Upcoming Blood Drive Donation, click HERE or call 1-800­-RED CROSS (1-800­-733-2767):

 

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Plattsmouth High School
1916 E Highway 34
Plattsmouth, NE

8 am - 2 pm

 

Sunday, February 13, 2022

First Baptist Church
16220 Hwy 75
Plattsmouth, NE 68408

11 am - 4 pm

 

Monday, February 21, 2022

Town Hall
623 House St
Avoca, NE

1 - 6 pm

 

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Louisville High School
202 West 3rd Street
Louisville, NE

10 am - 4 pm

 

Thursday, March 3, 2022
City Building
101 W Eldora Ave
Weeping Water, NE

Noon - 6 pm

About blood donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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All children need a secure place to learn and grow. The ideal place should be in their own home, however many kids are not that fortunate.

In times of neglect or abuse, a child must sometimes be removed from their home at a moment's noticed and placed in a warm, safe place. Kids of all ages, from birth through high school, sometimes need the help of the Child Saving Institute.

CSI helps foster parents and biological families learn the skills they need for a safe, well-cared-for, and loving family life.During this unsettling time of covid-19, the Murray Christian Church is collecting essential cleaning items for the Child Saving Institute.

If you would like to donate, here are some things they could use:Pine Sol, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, sanitizing wipes, latex and powder-free disposable gloves, (L & XL), and hand sanitizer.

Please bring items to Murray Christian Church, 304 W Young St, Murray, NE on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, between the hours of 10 - 2:00. You may call the church ahead of time, 402-235-2527, to be sure someone will be there to assist you.

Thank you for helping to keep these children, (and the CSI staff), healthy and happy!

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The Conestoga Backpack Program continues to furnish food to local families in need. The program serves the Murray, Nehawka, Union and Beaver Lake areas in southeast Nebraska, and will not turn anyone away.

Just by adding a few of the items listed below to your shopping list and picking them up, you'll be helping someone in a big way. Keep in mind that some of the children are very young and are possibly 'preparing' their own meals, so easy-to-open containers are a good option for little hands.

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

To make a monetary donation instead, a check made payable to 'CONESTOGA BACKPACK PROGRAM' may be mailed or deposited at Cornerstone Bank, 102 W Main St, Murray, NE 68409. 100% of all monies collected is used for food and hygienic supplies for the families.

To have the items picked up, call Jill at 402-660-3543 to make arrangements. As another alternative, you may drop them off at Cornerstone Bank in Murray or at their Beaver Lake location.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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KEEP READING about EVENTS in our NEIGHBORING TOWNS

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This years annual meeting and volunteer recognition is going to be bigger and better than ever! This year the Lofte is proud to host a Chili Cookoff Fundraiser in conjunction with our event. For $15 you'll be able to taste chili and any other available goodies, and vote for your favorites with the winners being announced before the end of the night!

We also want to make this a very special event for our volunteers - those who perform, those who work back stage, those who help out with tickets and parking cars, and everywhere in between. We hope that our volunteers will join us for this very special occasion and allow us to thank you and honor all of your hard work.

The annual meeting will be held February 27th and more details will be released soon. Keep an eye out for more information coming in future newsletters and on our social media and website.

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View full inventory >>

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American Flags and Flag Poles for Sale

Flagpoles or flags - both make exceptional gifts or just because you've always wanted one. American Legion Post 247 has both in stock and available for pickup in Elmwood. Proceeds from the sale of the poles and flags stay here in our Elmwood-Murdock community and go to support the youth programs of our Legion Post - Boys State and Junior Law Cadet.

We just received a new shipment of flagpoles this week. Along with that came the news that there will be a price increase on our next shipment. So if you're in the market for a flagpole, now would be a great time to get one before the price increase.

Also available are solar lights that fit on the top of the poles.

We also have 3' x 5' and 4' x 6' polyester flags - these are the longest-lasting flags offered by the American Legion.

A hint on how to make your flag last longer: saturate the outside edge with Elmer's All Purpose glue before flying. Squirt it on, and either rub it in with a tiny sponge brush or your finger. Let it dry, turn over and repeat. You should be able to get a couple of extra months of use from your flag by doing this and it will only cost about $1 for a small bottle of glue.

Have a flag that needs to be retired? We can help with that as well. Just contact us or place it in a bag and hang it on the doorknob at the museum. We will ensure it is included in the next flag retirement ceremony in the area.

See below for details.

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211 Main Street, Louisville, NE
cornhuskercountrymusic@gmail.com
Like us on FB!

Call for our upcoming schedule, 1-800-480-8797, EXT 211, and you may leave us a voice mail at the end of  the message if you'd like! 

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