Exeter-Milligan Open House

Exeter-Milligan will host their annual Open House for the community on Aug 13 from 5 - 7 p.m. at both of the school sites.  Teachers and administration will be on hand to answer questions, give tours and show off the summer changes to the school.
There will be some construction at the Exeter site so please be aware!

Obituary for Rose Marie Hulse

Obituary for Rose Marie Hulse

Rose Marie Hulse was born to John H. Kotas and Anna (Koca) Kotas on March 15, 1926 at the family farm near Milligan, NE and passed away July 23, 2015 at the York General Hospital at the age of 89 years, 4 months 8 days. She was one of two children in the family. She grew up in rural Milligan, NE and was baptized and confirmed at the St. Wenceslaus church. She attended country school and graduated from Milligan High School in 1943. After graduation she worked at the Fairmont Air Base.

Rose Marie was married to Merlin Hulse of Friend, NE on October 14, 1947 and to them two children were born. They lived on two different farms north of Exeter. In 1961 they
purchased their own farm where Rose Marie was a homemaker and helped Merlin with the farming and custom businesses. She remained and carried on the farming operations
after the death of her husband Merlin on March 31,1992. She moved to assisted living
in Fairmont, NE on May 27, 2015.

In the1970’s she became very interested in genealogy. She was a charter member of the Nebraska State Genealogical Society and served as librarian for 18 years. She organized the Filmore Heritage Genealogical Society in 1980 and helped compose the 1998 Milligan Centennial History Book. She enjoyed doing genealogy research for people all over the United States. Rose Marie was a member of the Milligan Legion Auxilary Unit 240 and the Milligan Lodge #76 Western Fraternal Life Assn. for 77 years.

Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother Joe Kotas. She is survived by her son, Kenn Hulse and Jan Givens of York, NE, and her daughter, Karolyn Andrews and husband Jerry of Witchita, KS, granddaughters Connie and Brenda Andrews of Andover, KS, Jennifer Martin, Laura Tanner and Steve Simon and great-grandchildren Ashleigh Tanner, Avery Tanner and Rees Simon all of Phoenix, AZ, and nieces and nephew.

Rose Marie loved her family and enjoyed talking to her friends. She will be remembered
for always having a smile and never knowing a stranger at least not for very long.

Graveside Memorial services for Rose Marie were held July 27, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cesky Bratri (North) Cemetery with Father Rand Langhorst officiating. Memorials are directed to the Milligan American Legion Auxiliary. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services.

Death Notice: Rose Marie Hulse

A public graveside committal of ashes for Rose Marie will be held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cesky Bratri (North Cemetery), Milligan, Nebraska. Father Rand Langhorst will officiate the graveside.

Memorials are directed to the Milligan American Legion Auxiliary.

Exeter Woman Attends Statewide Workshop

The Nebraska Federation of Women's Club District IV Workshop was held in Seward on July 18, 2015. The meeting was called to order by Nancy Galaway, District IV President.  Registration showed 18 members representing 6 District Clubs. NFWC President, Jan Jones reported on International Convention held this year in Memphis, Tennessee with 267  members in attendance. This years service project was helping with a soup line. President Jones told of their tour of St. Jude Children's Hospital. They treat children 0-18 years of age all provided for by donations.  Projects for the upcoming year  were announced and suggestions of activities were discussed. International  awards were announced. Nancy Galaway of the Fairmont club took 2nd place in the short story division with a student from Seward winning 1st place in still life photography. NFCW earned 1st place in the Legislation and Publicity  reports. District Convention will be in Fairmont in October, NFWC Convention in April in Omaha and  next years workshop in Belvidere. Representing the Exeter Woman's Club was Judy Dinneen.

Fillmore County Development Corporation Newsletter

Exeter Village Board Receives Building Donation

By Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village Board called their regularly scheduled meeting to order on Wednesday, July 8^th without board member Mitch Schlegelmilch.

The board approved the minutes and invoices before Fillmore County Zoning Commissioner Jennifer Slezak  presented a conditional use permit and building permit that the zoning board had approved. The permit was for  Craig True who answered a few questions for board members in regard to the garage .  The board passed the building permit unanimously.

The next item agenda was Resolution 15-06 in which the board accepted the donation of the Tag Factory building,  Chairman Alan  Michl noted that the agreement is “basically stating that it is going to be torn down.”

Board member Kathy Erdkamp quoted the resolution that the board would ”demolish existing buildings.” 

The Board moved and passed to approve the resolution to accept the tag factory as a donation.  Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted that there would be additional paperwork and legal documents before the building officially became the property of the village.

The board reviewed the Hazard Mitigation plan that FEMA requires them to complete every five years. Clerk Erdkamp reviewed a list of items and jobs to be completed as part of the emergency plan.

Village Marshal Mark McFarland gave a brief report indicating that he has opened the job position for an officer and the position will be open for several weeks. 

Michl asked McFarland if he had made any progress on some of the residents with multiple junk cars.  Michl advised that the board to begin to think about towing some of the junk cars

McFarland’s response to the car owners in violation was, ”Show me some progress, we will work with you  I gave him a deadline of July and it’s not happening.  He’s had warnings and been contacted so he is well aware of the situation going on.”

Board member Justin Harre asked McFarland, “In the past, how many hours have officers dedicated to Exeter a week?”

McFarland and Michl agreed that there had been no agreement with set hours but with a new officer they are looking at having an officer who dedicates 30 hours a week in Exeter and then fills in the other 10 hours in Friend.  This would begin after an applicant completes training.

Commenting on the current applicants, McFarland noted, “I have a couple of locals and that is why I would want to do some interviews with everyone.”

Maintenance Supervisors report was given by Michl in the absence of John Mueller.  He reported a minor issue at the pump house because the wireless antenna was removed during roof replacement  This signaled a message to Michl but the equipment was fine. Mchal also reported that summer employee Jarrett Maxson took care of a problem at the lift station and has been keeping up with the list that Mueller left him.

Clerk Erdkamp reported that the people who own the care center building were in town.  She indicated that they were shocked at the condition of the building. They are paying the village to mow the facility and are up to date with their water bill.  She noted that they hired a realtor out of Lincoln to list the property.

“If the building were in better shape I think it would be a different story,” said Michl.  “The best shot would be a Senior Living facility down the road.  To be quite frank when the people left the rest home they left the rest home.  Elderly people in town aren’t going to live in anything that isn’t better than what they are living in now.  It’s too bad because when it was built in the 60s was one of the best in the state.”

Clerk Becky Erdamp  gave her report noting that keno receipts for June were $998.82 and May  sales tax was $9173.49. She also showed the board the new copier that the village will be leasing to replace the old one.  

Superintendent Paul Sheffield reported that Rogge Contractors were awarded the bid for the JPA project. He reminded the board that they were the general contractors for St. Stephens parish hall in Exeter. 

The next meeting was set for August 11 at 7 p.m.

Exeter Public Library to Host Book Sale

The Exeter Public Library will be hosting a free-will donation book sale at the library from now until July 29th.  Quite a bit of the sale include children's nonfiction and reference.  Come and shop at the library!

Swimming Lessons at Exeter Aquatic Center

The Exeter Aquatic Center has been offering swimming lessons for the past two weeks.  The pool has been filled with kids from 8 a.m.  Assistant Manager Sara Lincoln has offered the Red Cross certified lessons with other lifeguards assisting her.

Top - In the beginners class the kids had the option to jump off the diving board on Monday morning with a lifeguard waiting to catch them.  Gavin Mueller was already to show his skills in the pool.

Middle -  Three year old Beau Becker had no hesitation when he jumped off the end of the diving board.

Bottom -   Crosby Oldehoeft jumps off the board with style into the arms of lifeguard Ashley Benorden with lifeguard Bailee Stueben swimming nearby.

Exeter Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Race at Fairview Manor

Pastor Jeff Jensen of the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva brought the churches race track and timing equipment for the residents at the Fairview Manor.  He is pictured on the left and the Exeter Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts helped run the race.

Bob Bettger shows off the pinewood derby car he made for the Fairview Manor Pinewood Derby.

Troy Kalhoff, left, returns Millie Cruse’s pinewood derby car to her after it runs down the track.

Residents and Scouts gathered for a picture after the pinewood derby was over.  Front left to right are residents Mardy Johnson, Millie Cruse (with Katie Jensen on her lap), Helen Hostutler, Cindy Thomsen, Elfie Sent, Ruth Schweitzer and Bob Bettger. Back row are Cub Scouts from Pack 218 and Boy Scouts from Troop 218 from the left: Mikey Bartu, Troy Kalhoff, Tyler Sysel (behind), Joey Bartu, Ben Bartu and Clint Oldehoeft.

Fairview Manor residents had a little competition at their pinewood derby race this year.  Exeter Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts brought their cars along to race with the residents and help with the race.

Pastor Jeff Jensen of the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva brought a track that was donated to their church which is used with the youth.  He and Veteran Service Officer Eric Williams set up the track and the timing system.  Residents at the Manor had painted and weighted cars to use in the race.

Everyone enjoyed watching the cars race down the track with the digital readout showing their times and their places.  The residents cars were fast but the scout cars edged them out with strategically placed weights.  Each car raced several times in different lanes of the four lane track.

The scouts helped place the cars on the track and returned the cars to their owners after the race was over.

Along with their cars, the scouts wore their medals won in their pack races and also shared several of their trophies.