Thursday, January 13, 2011

Exeter-Milligan Update: Fourth graders donate

This holiday season, Exeter-Milligan 4th graders showed
their generosity by donating to the Blue Valley Community
Action Program in Geneva. Students chose to give the money
they would usually spend on a class gift exchange to those
less fortunate. Monetary and non-perishable food donations
were also collected from peers in grades 3-6 and Milligan
staff. It is with great pride these young philanthropists
donated $120 and 140 pounds of food to make Christmas a time
of joy.

Pictured back row L-R: Theron Odvody, Joel Klemm, Mitchell
Manning, Spencer Pribyl, Colton Bossaller, Josie Kresak,
Macy Due, Johnny Babula, and Peytan Brandt

Kneeling: Katherine White, Kate Jansky, James Becker, Trever
Zelenka, and Blake Steuben.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Changes at First National Bank in Exeter


 Jim McCabe and Roy Stubbendick

Amie Underwood


Changes are in the works for First National Bank and First National Insurance Agency in Exeter. First of all, the bank has new ownership, Emswater Financial LLC. Alan Emshoff, current President of First National Bank in Exeter is also the President of Emswater Financial LLC.
 
Emswater combines the last name of Emshoff and his wife Amy’s maiden name, Watermeier.

Emswater purchased the bank and insurance company from McCabe Investments and the McCabe family who have owned the bank for just over 75 years. Jim McCabe, grandson of founder H. M. Link has served as the Chairman of the Board and CEO after taking over from his father, Elmer McCabe. Jim joined the bank in 1970.
McCabe, who has practiced law from his office inside the bank since 1970 has decided to retire both from his law practice and from his position on the board at the bank.

His retirement closes a forty year career in Exeter. McCabe will miss “the small town community atmosphere - knowing everybody and being able to say hi and visit with people. Mostly I will miss the people that I have worked with, some I have worked with for a long time. That’s what you miss, the people you have been working with and the people you can help, the customers.”

On the changes he has seen over the years in the banking industry, McCabe noted the technology affects. “When I started we didn’t have such things. Step by step just learning what computers were all about to developing programs with the computers has been the biggest change over the years.”

McCabe sees the sale as a positive step, “One of the reasons I wanted to sell the bank to Alan was because he was familiar with the community and I was confident in his abilities. Our family was assured that the bank would continue in a good, safe manner."

Also retiring from his position on the board of directors of the bank is former Executive Vice President Roy Stubbendick. Stubbendick worked at the bank for 33 years before retiring and then after retirement served on the board for 15 more years. Stubbendick was ready to retire completely and felt that this transition was a good time for him to leave his position on the board.

Stubbendick also noted the technological changes that have continued to affect the banking industry. He also was happy to see the bank retain hometown ownership, “I had a good relationship with the McCabe’s but I am happy about the new ownership. It’s certainly a step in the right direction. I was most pleased that the bank could stay with individual ownership instead of being swallowed up by a large corporation.”

While the bank is changing ownership, Emshoff assures customers that none of the changes will affect them. “We plan to keep pretty much everything the same. Any changes will definitely benefit our customers. We will be the same solid friendly bank people have known for over 75 years,” said Emshoff.

Emshoff looks forward to continuing the banks relationship with the community. “We hope to have a good investment presence. Whether monetarily or with our staff in the community we ant to be more visible with a larger emphasis on service in the community. We‘ve made a long term investment in the community.”

Looking at the current staff members at the bank and insurance company Emshoff noted that “Our staff is one our biggest assets. We have a great staff with no weak links.”

Joining the bank staff in the teller position just before the new year is Amie Underwood. Underwood has been working in the banking and agriculture industry since 1997.

Underwood was excited to join the staff at First National Bank in Exeter, “I have really enjoyed working in the bank already. The bank is very family oriented and has strong ties to the agricultural community here.”

Emshoff and the rest of the bank staff have already enjoyed working with Underwood. “Amie brings several years of banking experience to First National Bank. I am pleased that she has joined our staff.  Her banking experience will be an asset to our operation and to our customers." said Emshoff.

Underwood, her husband Jeff and three sons live outside of Exeter where Jeff works in the cattle industry. In her spare time Amie, originally from McCool, enjoys reading, working in her yard and following the activities of her sons at Exeter-Milligan school.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Six Exeter-Milligan Students named Academic All-State for Fall

Six Exeter-Milligan students were named to the Academic All State list by the Nebraska Schools Activities Association for the 2010 Fall activities season.  Congratulations to:

Tyler Manning, Senior, Football
Blake Papik, Sophomore, Football
Rebecca Vossler, Junior, Golf
Kelsey Moore, Senior, Volleyball and Play Production
Heather Pribyl, Senior, Volleyball
Amanda Dinneen, Senior, Play Production

Monday, January 10, 2011

Exeter-Milligan Lady Timberwolves Lead Standings

U.S. Cellular combined with the Nebraska School Activities Association have created a ranking of schools based on both academic and fine arts program.  According to the points system the Exeter-Milligan Lady Timberwolves are in the top spot in the Class D standings for the fall season with 112.5 points received. Trailing the Timberwolves are Lindsay Holy Family and West Point Central Catholic with 87.5 points each.  When combined with the boys overall the school is in 5th place with 132.5 points.

The U.S. Cellular cup is presented to four different classes the following fall and awards points for each school which participate in an event as well as points for district music competitions.  For more information on the project click here to go to the NSAA website.