Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
fluttering from the autumn tree.
Emily Bronte
1818~1848
English author and poet
Condolences to the family and friends of...
Bill Grunewald
of Murray, Nebraska, who passed away on October 21, 2025.
He was a friend and neighbor who will be sorely missed, not only by his loving family, but also by all those who were lucky enough to have made his acquaintance.
Bill's complete obituary can be read HERE.
A Reminder From Keep Cass County Beautiful:
Don't forget about your local thrift stores this Halloween season! (There's a list of Cass County Thrift Stores further down in this Newsletter.)Don't let the high prices in retail stores scare you! Many thrift stores have all kinds of costume options for a fraction of the price and Plattsmouth Public library gives costumes away for free!
If you mention you saw this post, from KCCB, Pieces Thrift Store in Plattsmouth will also give a discount!
Save money, find a more authentic costume, support local and help the environment by thrifting your costume and decor this Halloween!! Nothing there to frighten your budget!
The programs begin at 12:00 and are over by 1:00.
They are free and open to the public. Those attending are welcome
to bring their own lunches.
Tuesday, November 11
“Restoring North Elmwood Cemetery
and Research into Civil War Veterans buried in
Cass County”
Speaker: Stanley Laughlin
Stan will talk about cleaning up North Elmwood Cemetery at 274th and Mill Road.
Relatives of some of the people buried there served in the Civil War,
so Stan began researching Civil War Veterans buried in Cass County and has found over 500.
Young Readers Invited to Write to Favorite Authors
Young readers in grades 4-12 are invited to write a personal letter to an author for the Nebraska Letters about Literature (LAL) contest, a state reading and writing promotion program. The letter can be to any author (living or dead) from any genre: fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic - explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s view of the world. Submissions must be completed online October 1 - December 31, 2025. Nebraska Letters About Literature is coordinated and sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Library Commission, with support from Lincoln City Libraries, Francie & Finch Bookshop, and Humanities Nebraska.
The Nebraska Center for the Book’s panel of judges will select a winner and an honorable mention per competition level (Level I for grades 4-6, Level II for grades 7-8, and Level III for grades 9-12) to be honored in a proclamation-signing ceremony at the state capitol during National Library Week in April 2026. Their winning letters will be placed in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. Nebraska winners and honorable mentions will receive state prizes.
Teachers, librarians, and parents can download the contest guidelines, free teaching materials, information on the online entry system, and past winning letters on the Nebraska Center for the Book website. An informational NCompass Live webinar aired on October 1st, discussing this year’s contest, the submission process, and judging criteria, with a recorded session soon available. For more information contact Nebraska Center for the 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 national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and 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.”
###
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 .
Nebraska SHIP/SMP is gearing up for the 2025 Medicare Annual Open Enrollment season. This is your once a year opportunity to evaluate Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans for the following year. Comparing different plans for your medications to the one you currently have can really pay off! Last year, Nebraska SHIP helped Nebraskans save money on their prescription costs just by comparing plans!
Mary Ann Holland will again be available for in-person appointments in Nebraska City at the Southeast Community College Learning Center, 1406 Central Ave, on select days between October 15 and December 7th, Open Enrollment. Whether you prefer to speak to a SHIP counselor over the phone, or in person with Mary Ann, please contact Nebraska SHIP at 1-402-471-2841 to schedule an appointment.
You could potentially save lots of money by comparing prescription plans!
FROM KEEP CASS COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
Do you know...
The average American uses 365 plastic bags a year in the United States, one bag PER person PER day!
Sadly most of these bags, even if recycled, don't actually get recycled. Paper bags take even more energy to create and cause deforestation even though they're biodegradable.
You can have a HUGE impact over a lifetime choosing reusable each time you shop. Over the course of a 75 year lifespan, you could save 27,375 bags from entering our environment as pollution and/or litter.
Some other interesting & important facts about plastic bags:
-The oil is takes to make 14 plastic bags is the equivalent of driving 1 mile
-Plastic is laced with toxins like endocrine disruptors, carcinogens (cancer causing agent) and other chemicals
-Americans use 365 bags a year in comparison to Denmark who uses approximately 4 bags per year
-By 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish
-There is a garbage patch twice the size of Texas currently floating around the Pacific Ocean killing millions of sea creatures each year
-34% of turtles found dead have ingested Plastic
-Plastic bags never really go away, they take hundreds to thousands of years to biodegrade and bags pollute our soil, water and air with microplastics when they "break down."
Next time you shop, use your "No thank you" and opt for NO PLASTIC!
ARE YOU A SCAREDY-CAT?
SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE NEEDS YOUR BLOOD!
Grab some friends and schedule your blood, platelet or AB Elite plasma donation today.
Critical Need for Blood Donors!
Confirm days and times and
learn more HERE or call 1-800-733-2767.
* * * * *
Friday, October 24, 2025
Conestoga High School
8404 42nd St
Murray, NE 68409
9:AM - 2:PM
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Louisville High School
202 West 3rd Street
Louisville, NE 68037
10:AM - 4:PM
Sunday, November 2, 2025
First Baptist Church
16220 US-34
Plattsmouth, NE
9 AM - 2 PM
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Weeping Water High School
204 W O Street
Weeping Water, NE
NOON - 6 PM
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Town Hall
623 House St
Avoca, NE
NOON - 5 PM
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Plattsmouth High School
1916 E Highway 34
Plattsmouth, NE
8 AM - 2 PM
Monday, December 8, 2025
VFW Post 2543 Plattsmouth
510 1st Avenue
Plattsmouth, NE
11:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday, December 26, 2025
Louisville Civic Center
423 Elm St
Louisville, NE
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
4107 Wavery Road
Murray, NE 68409
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.
Granola bars
Fruit snacks
Dry pasta
Spaghetti sauce
Dry soup mixes
Canned meat (chicken, tuna)
Boxed prepared meal kits (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Canned fruit and vegetables
NEHAWKA HERITAGE FESTIVAL was a BIG SUCCESS!
Saturday, October 18th, 2025, finally came and the big event, NEHAWKA HERITAGE FESTIVAL, was here! A bright, crisp autumn morning greeted volunteers as they started showing up at the park. Weeks of planning kept he workers busy leading up to the culmination of their labors of love for their tiny Nebraska village.
Ed & Gene taking a break when things haven't even gotten started! Oh, I guess they're supervising! {;>)
Kids filled the park, playing games, and using their detective skills for a scavenger hunt. Then they gathered under and around the park pavilion and had a grand time painting their own personal pumpkins. There were a few quite ghoulish gourds, while others were just very pretty in pink - lots of pink! The pumpkins weren't the only ones who had painted faces. Some of the kids did, too!
Bonnie and Sue are getting Trunk or Treat bags ready!
Pumpkins are ready for their makeovers!
Plattsmouth's hook & ladder truck hoisted the American flag near the intersection where much of the children's activities were taking place, too. Rescue vehicles were on display for the exciting Touch-a-Truck event. In early afternoon, a LifeNet helicopter stopped in at the baseball field, so wannabe-aviators could get a closer look at this massive piece of high-flying machinery.
Raffle boxes were set up where you could buy tickets and put them in any prize individual box you wanted. It was a difficult decision with over 35 to choose from! There were donations of hand-crocheted afghans, car care certificates, homemade soaps and lotions, fresh honey, restaurant gift cards , gas cards, and kids' games. Winners were called later in the evening, so they could claim their prizes.
Whoa! This guy wasn't watching where he was walking or he was so thin the driver saw right through him! Yikes!
Around 2:00 the wind picked up and started scattering more than leaves! Thank Goodness, pumpkins are difficult to blow away, but some of the other games had to be chased down!
There were approximately 30+ cars lining both sides of Elm Street for the car show and about 6 vintage tractors at the library. These aficionados are sure proud of their vehicles, and for good reason. My personal favorite has always been the '57 Chevy, robin egg blue and white, although I've never owned one. Maybe someday...
The old log cabin library was open for those wishing to step back in time 91 years. The cabin was built in 1934 and in 2002, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A historical reenactment group from Lincoln, dressed in 1930-style clothes, welcomed visitors to the cabin. Pictured are Jenny Richardson, Erin Bauer and Tim Peglow.
About 25 vendors were selling their wares by the old railroad tracks and southeast of there was the reenactment of an old encampment. Many of the participants were dressed in period costumes there, as well. If anyone has photos of the encampment, please send them to me for addition to next week's Newsletter. Editor@MurrayNebraska.com. Thanks!
Bingo games and even more food was over at the packed Community Center later in the afternoon for lots of fun and laughs. I forgot to get pictures there, busy watching my Bingo cards. I needn't bother anyway, darn it. No Bingos for me that day!
During late afternoon, a street dance with live music was held at the beer garden, sponsored by Slattery Vineyard Estates, just east of the flagpole at Elm and Main.
This event couldn't have been possible without ALL of the wonderful sponsors, whether businesses or individuals, and ALL of the volunteers working to make it happen. We want to thank each and every one of them for their generosity, time and efforts to make this a success. We welcome anyone who would like to help with next year's event, also!
It was a great turnout for the 1st Annual Nehawka Heritage Festival!
Dates of The Living Nativity 2025
3B Homestead
7603 298th St
Murdock, NE
(On Highway 1 between Murdock and Elmwood)
Open to the public on weekends from 2 pm to 5 pm:
Nov. 30, Dec. 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21
Private visits are held on Mondays and need to pre-arranged.
To schedule a private visit call 402-867-1802. Dates include Dec. 1, 8, 15, or 22.
You can pick the time for your private visit.
Rumors by Neil Simon
Production Dates: October 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26
Show Times: 7:00 PM Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 2:00 PM Sundays
Tickets: $25
The Lofte Community Theatre's production of Rumors is now showing and will run through October 26th, with performances Thursday through Sunday. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances start at 7 PM and Sunday performances start at 2 PM. The concession stand and house will open one hour before performance start times. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Lofte Box Office, by phone at 402-234-2553, or by visiting www.lofte.org.
Synopsis: A wedding anniversary party is being held for Charley Brock, the Deputy Mayor of New York, and his wife, Myra. Ken Gorman, a lawyer, and his wife, Chris, are the first to arrive at the party and first to discover Charley with a flesh wound, who now lies bleeding in another room. Myra is nowhere to be seen. Charley’s self-inflicted bullet injury sets off a series of events, causing his guests to scramble to get “the story” straight before the authorities arrive. As the confusion and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. We suggest PG-13.
Directed By: Kevin Colbert
About The Lofte Community Theatre: The Lofte Community Theatre is located in Manley Nebraska, approximately 25 minutes south of Omaha. The theatre, a new post-and-beam style performing arts facility can seat approximately 330 patrons for each performance. Actors and audience members enjoy a beautiful climate-controlled venue year-round with concessions offered.
Elmwood, Nebraska's Community Center is open to all ages Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch meals are served at noon for $6 and may be dine-in or carry-out, or $7 for delivery (to local addresses).
Please call, (402) 994-2145, at any time to make arrangements for lunch NO LATER THAN 9:30 on the day of your meal.
The facility is available for rental to the public. "Like" our Facebook page to keep up with all of our events!
Elmwood, NE Community Center Phone & Address:
144 N 4th St, Elmwood, NE 68349
(402) 994-2145
View details >>
211 Main Street
Louisville, NE
$7 at the door; Kids 12 & under, FREE!
UPCOMING:
Second Sundays – Electric Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Fourth Sundays – Acoustic Only Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Bring your instruments and enjoy an afternoon of great music and good company!
Click the theater flyer above or HERE to read the latest CCMT news.
Call 402-949-0668 with any questions.
Our 21st annual pumpkin patch season now open.
Same great price any day you visit, $10/person (+tax). Free for ages 2 & under, and its still free to come shop the barn or visit the cafe. See www.bloompumpkinpatch.com for more details, special events and field trip information.
The 21st annual pumpkin patch season at Bloom Farm opens this weekend! Join us for fall family fun including hay rides to the U-pick pumpkin patch, a corn pit, play areas, nature trails, farm animals, games, shopping, delicious food & more.
Weekends 10 am-6 pm through Oct. 28.
Monday-Tuesday-Friday in October, 10 AM-3 PM. Sat.
Check out new website at www.happypawsplattsmouth.org
And download foster application!
Happy Paws Plattsmouth is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving Cass, Sarpy, and Douglas Counties
with one mission: to transform the lives of animals in need while enriching the families who welcome them home.
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.
For more information about child abuse and neglect reporting in Nebraska, visit the DHHS website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Abuse.aspx.
Read more about it HERE.
(Credit the Nebraska Examiner, July 5, 2024)
In-person and phone meetings are held weekly,
Mondays and Wednesdays, at noon, and Fridays at 5pm.
Hosanna Lutheran Church
700 S 18th St
Plattsmouth, NE
Come in person or attend by phone, call ing 605-562-8401, and enter access code 1239518#.
Dear Readers,
We want to build an online history about Murray.
Please submit any information you might know about our town to start creating this project.
If you own a business, let us know when you started and any informaton about the building and/or business located there before yours. Do you know the little gray building, CJ's Hair Salon, on Main Street used to be an ice cream shop? Do you also know that the Murray Christian Church used to be located just east of the Murray Repair Shop? In the early 1900's Murray's Main Street was devastated by a fire. Have you heard any information about that time that's been passed down from your ancestors?
You can also send information about your house - when it was built and any background about it. Was it one of the first homes in town? Is it haunted? What do you know about it? There's a little house in town that used to be the old railroad depot! Do you know where it is now, or that the old Murray Elementary School's mascot name was the Mustangs?
Any information would be helpful. Please send photos, too, if available! Photos should contain people's names and location and any other helpful information. This should become a fun, educational and informative piece of history that will continue to grow, and one that we're all building together! Thanks for your help!
Email your information to:
Editor@MurrayNebraska.com
LET'S GO 'THRIFTING' in OUR CASS COUNTY THRIFT STORES!
Save Money! Recycle! Help Your Cass County Communities!
HAVE FUN!
* * * * *
BE THE LIGHT THRIFT & GIFT
202 West H St
Weeping Water, NE
PROCEEDS TOWARD SUICIDE PREVENTION
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 5 ~ 7
WEDNESDAY: 2 ~ 7
THURSDAY: CLOSED
FRIDAY: CLOSED
SATURDAY: 9 ~ 4
*CLOSED ALL OF JANUARY & FEBRUARY
https://www.bethelight402.org/thrift-and-gift
https://www.facebook.com/Bethelightbethevoice/
* * * * *
BITS & PIECES
158 N 4th
Elmwood, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 9 ~ 4
WEDNESDAY: 9 ~ Noon
THURSDAY: 9 ~ 4
FRIDAY: 9 ~ 5
SATURDAY: 9 ~ 4
402-994-5755
https://www.facebook.com/p/Bits-and-Pieces-and-More-Thrift-Store-100057192261002/
* * * * *
HOPE'S CLOSET
109 Main St.
Louisville, NE 68037
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: Noon ~ 4
WEDNESDAY: Noon ~ 4
THURSDAY: 10 ~ 4
FRIDAY: 10 ~ 4
SATURDAY: 10 ~ 4
402) 234-1444
https://www.facebook.com/hopesclosetlouisville/
* * * * *
UNDER HIS WINGS
511 Main St.
Plattsmouth, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: 10 ~ 5
WEDNESDAY: 10 ~ 5
THURSDAY: 10 ~ 5
FRIDAY: 10 ~ 5
SATURDAY: 10 ~ 2
(402) 802-7115
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054505718837
* * * * *
MY NEIGHBOR'S CLOSET
(South end of parking lot at Church of the Holy Spirit)
500 S 18th St.
Plattsmouth, NE
SUNDAY: CLOSED
MONDAY: CLOSED
TUESDAY: CLOSED
WEDNESDAY: CLOSED
*THURSDAY: 10 ~ 2
*FRIDAY: 10 ~ 2
*SATURDAY: 10 ~ 2
*No air conditioning, so we'll be open if not too hot!
402-296-3139
https://holyspiritplattsmouth.com/my-neighbors-closet/
* * * * *
FOR the LOVE of JUNK
317 4th St
Murdock, NE 68407
OPEN: Usually Saturdays, 9 am ~ 4 pm, or by appointment only
402-297-1360
Elmwood Library Hours
Monday: 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
We welcome all who love to read, whether you're from Elmwood, Murdock, or beyond!
Come join us!
Easy Library Links
Online Card Catalog https://elmwoodpubliclibrary.follettdestiny.com/
DO YOU KNOW...
The Newsletter you're reading now is only one of several weekly online Cass County Newsletters? Here are some others you might be interested in subscribing to:
www.AlvoNebraska.com
www.CedarCreekNebraska.com
www.EagleNebraska.com
www.ElmwoodNebraska.com
www.GreenwoodNebraska.com
www.LouisvilleNebraska.com
www.NehawkaNebraska.com
www.ManleyNebraska.com
www.MurrayNebraska.com
www.MurdockNebraska.com
www.PlattsmouthNebraska.com
www.SpringfieldNebraska.com
www.UnionNebraska.com
www.UnadillaNebraska.com
www.WeepingWaterNebraska.com
Community Newsletters are FREE - you can subscribe for 1, or 2, or 3 ... or ALL of them!
Be informed, know what is going on in your community and your surrounding neighborhoods.
ATTENTION, VETERANS!
Do you need assistance? We're here to help!
Contact Cass County Veteran Service Officer
Email: ccvso@cassne.org
Admin Assistant: Jacie Victor
Email: ccvsoadmin@cassne.org
Call for appointment! 402-296-9368
ARE YOU 55+
and
LOOKING FOR PART-TIME WORK?
The following is an employment opportunity available to older adults in Cass County.
Experience Works is a national, non-profit organization funded by the US Dept of Labor to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which assists people 55 and older in getting updated training to assist in returning to the workforce. This is a federally funded program and offers a no-cost employment service to older adults who qualify.
Once accepted into the program, individuals are placed in a training site in or near their community, where they gain on the job experience while working 20-21 hours/week at $8/hour.
We also help with skill assessments, computer training, resumes, cover letters, job search, etc.
The goal is that through the training and job search assistance we gain help older adults gain good jobs in or around their communities.
Stephanie MahonyEmployment and Training CoordinatorExperience Works, Inc.
1111 "O" Street Ste 205
American Job CenterLincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 402-441-1654Fax: 402-441-6038
stephanie_mahony@experienceworks.org<;/a>
Nebraska Toll-free Number: 1-877-314-7526
https://www.keepcasscountybeautiful.com/index.php
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO THIS NEWSLETTER...
Below is a list of categories that we are happy to post, (at NO COST to you!), in the weekly Murray online newsletter:
Weddings
Engagements
Anniversary
Births
Letters to the Editor
Birthday Greeting
Upcoming Events
Cards of Thanks
Lost and Found
Obituaries
Recipes
Photos
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 NOON on the preceding MONDAY.
There are 3 ways you can submit your articles:
1) You may call your information to 402-235-2926 and leave a voice mail with your name and phone number.
2) Email your story with your name, contact info and story, in plain text to:
Send photos in .jpg format, no larger than 495 pixels wide or photos and fliers in a .pdf, to the e-address above with your story in plain text.
3) Send items via the U.S. postal service to:
Be sure to allow enough time to be received by Monday! Also, when mailing items you'd like to get back, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Remember to include 'who, what, when, where and why', along with any other helpful details, such as a contact person and phone.
Again, you must have your name and contact information included with the information.
Thanks for helping to keep YOUR Murray Newsletter fresh and up-to-date!
**********
SUBSCRIBE to the MURRAY NEWSLETTER
It's easy and FREE!
If you enjoy reading this Newsletter and would like to subscribe, (it's FREE), go to the 'WHAT'S NEW' tab at the top of the Newsletter and enter your email address. Early each Wednesday you'll receive a message to click the link that will take you to the Newsletter.
NO WORRIES. We do NOT sell or give your e-address or phone to anyone!
If you have any trouble adding your e-address, please send a note to our website owners at John@wirebuilt.com or Irina@wirebuilt.com and they'll get it added. (They're the tech gurus here.)
Thanks for reading!
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