Exeter History: World War I Honor Roll Billboard

This billboard was placed between downtown buildings in 1918 in Exeter.  It honored the men from Exeter who served their country in World War I.  Photo is courtesy of the Exeter Public Library

Exeter-Milligan T-Ball and Softball Teams

 Above -
Exeter-Milligan T-Ball team seated from the left:  Anton Classen, Braxton Harre, Kolton Songster, Lynn Jurgensen, Archer Kanode, and Willie Lock.  First standing row from the left are Beau Becker, Gracelyn Becker, Hadley Kahler, Saydee Kassik, Hannah Petersen, Kyler Schneider and Hudson Fintel  Second row standing are Crosby Oldehoeft, Joel Vossler, Gavin Mueller, Axel Erdkamp, Mackenzie Jaeger, Boden Graham and Tommy Kallhoff.  Coaches in the back row are: Chad Oldehoeft, Justin Harre, Dan Kallhoff, T.J. Mueller, and Adam Erdkamp.

Below -Exeter-Milligan 8’s softball team kneeling are:  Addison Foutch, Natalie Meyer, Sydney Engert, Lilly Jeffries, Chezney Kanode, Piper Grummons, and Brynnle Johnson.  Back row from the left are: Kaylie Schlueter, Kaydence Haase, Alexis Nielsen, Brooklyn Oldehoeft, Alivia Luzum, Scout Grummons and Brogan Staskal.

Above– Exeter-Milligan 10’s softball team front row from the left:  Alexis Nielsen, Alexis Saatmann, Kaydence Haase, Selah Petersen, Emma Meyer, Kierra Papik.  Back row from the left: Aylah Kahler, Liberty Johnson, Lilly Jeffries , Savannah Horne, Mallory Staskal and Savana Krupicka.  Coaches Heather Meyer and Mariah Hedden.

Below– Exeter-Milligan 14’s softball team front row from the left:  Vivian Weber, Camryn Brandt, Taylor Pribyl, Georgia Meyer, Jozie Kanode, Madison Luzum.  Back row from the left are: Coach Darth Kanode, Olivea Swanson, Daisy Kanode, Kiah Songster, Kayla Geiger, Jayden Papik, Emma Olsen and Coach Nathan Staskal

Exeter-Milligan Baseball Teams

Above: American League – Exeter-Milligan team is pictured front row from the left:  Tyler Due, Jayden Capek, Josh Meyer, Carter Milton, Draven Payne, and Jordan Tol.

Top row from the left:  Kyle Svec, Troy Kallhoff, Kole Svec, Cade Kresak, Casey Underwood, Dayson Staskal, Andrew Vavra and Coach Alan Vavra.

Below: National – Exeter-Milligan team is pictured front row from the left: Peyton Pribyl, Theron Odvody and James Becker.  Back row are Coaches Roger Becker, Spencer Pribyl, Eli Johnson, Jackson Beethe and Coach Mark Beethe.

Above -Peewee North – front row from the left: Avery Nichols, Deacon Erdkamp, Will Kallhoff, Richard Hickman, Titus Petersen and Levi Jurgensen.  Back row from the left:  Adrien Mueller, Logan Harre, Aidan Vavra, Brett Kallhoff, and Jonah Geiger.  Coaches from the left are T.J. Mueller, Dan Kallhoff and Adam Erdkamp.

Below -Peewee South – front row from the left: Tucker Svec, Maddux Milton, Clayton Pribyl,  Trevan Srajhans, Braxton Saatmann, and Jase Luzum.  Back row from the left: Jack Spiehs, Logan Johnson,  Truman Milton, Carter Magers, Ronnie Babula.  Coaches in the back are Jeff Spiehs and Ashley Srajhans.

Exeter History: Henrietta Harre

Henrietta Harre served as the Exeter Librarian from 1971 until 1989.

Village Board Approves Ordinances

by Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village Board met on Thursday, July 6, in the Exeter Village office.

After the meeting was opened the board reviewed minutes and invoices from the past month.  The board briefly discussed an invoice presented for radios for the police department.  The cost was unexpected and board member Mitch Schlegelmilch asked , “Is there an amount that needs pre-approved before purchasing for the police department?”

Board Chairman Alan Michl noted that he planned to look into it and will discuss the radio purchase with Police Chief Mark McFarland.  The board approved the minutes and invoices presented.

JEO is still working on the plans for the street projects and the board reviewed the 1.9 million street improvement project.  Board discussed the advertising for bids and Michl had an issue with the wording on the statement written for publication.

Michl called the JEO representative for clarification and was assured that the wording including the project estimated cost was correct.  

The board voted on ordinance 588 to create a street improvement district and gap paving district.  “With gap paving you don’t have to have the landowners permission to pave, but I have talked to just about everyone in the paving areas and they are positive about the paving,” explained Michl.

The board will send letters out to each affected landowner when they have an estimated cost for the paving.

The board also passed ordinance 589 which will create the project to be able to generate financing through bonds.

No update was given on the downtown revitalization project.  Board member Justin Harre clarified, “The new street bond will encompass all of the projects and will replace the old paving bonds.”

The board invited Jacob Miller, representing the Exeter Volunteer Fire Department, to address the parade route and car show street closings for the July 29^th events in Exeter.  Miller requested the board give them permission to close Seneca street from  the alley west of Erdkamp Motors  across Exeter Avenue to Union for the car show.

Miller added, “We would like to do the parade line up on South Depot from Exeter Avenue east past the coop.  The parade starts at 3 p.m. and runs down Exeter Avenue for three blocks.”

Miller also informed the board that immediately following the parade there would be a free will donation meal in the Legion along with polka music from 6 – 10 p.m.  There is also a softball tournament planned for the weekend.

In the past, Miller reminded the board that they have sponsored free swimming at the Exeter Aquatic Center. The board agreed to continue this tradition.

While Miller was there the board reviewed his recent work for the village while Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller was on vacation.

Recently the board received a complaint on a house in town and before the board could issue a complaint letter the homeowner cleaned up the issue. Michl noted, “There are some more houses in town we are going to send letters to.”

There was no marshal’s report and no maintenance report  given.

Becky Erdkamp gave her clerks report starting with sales tax for April which was $9841.45 and Keno for May was $1027.35.  She reported that the Aquatic Center had receipts of $6713 in admission, swimming, and concessions through June 27^th. The board discussed some issues at the pool and board member Kathy Erdkamp and Michl will visit with the employees soon to clarify some expectations.

The board set the next meeting for Wednesday, Aug 2  at 7 p.m.

Exeter History: Downtown Construction

This photo is reprinted with permission from the Exeter Library. 

Exeter History: R.N.A.

This photo was graciously provided by the Exeter Public Library.

Online research indicates that R.N.A. (Royal Neighbors Association) was formed by women in 1895 when they could not vote, own property or purchase life insurance.  They often supported the suffragette movement and the group was initially started by wives of members of the fraternal order Modern Woodmen of America.  According to "This is Exeter," the Exeter chapter of the Royal Neights of America was organized in 1897 was a charter membership of 22.  "At one time the R.N.A. in Exeter had a precision drill team which perfomed at many celebrations locally and in other towns.  The Milligan and Cordova lodges transferred to Exeter Camp 504."

Bartu Completes Eagle Project at Edgar Rec Center

When Joey Bartu began thinking about finding an Eagle Scout project a few years he hoped it would involve building something in Exeter.

Joey began his scouting career in Exeter in Pack 218 and after receiving the highest award in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, he joined Troop 270 in Friend.

In 2015 Troop 218 was formed in Exeter and Bartu moved his membership to become a founding member of 218.

As a Life scout, he ramped up his search for an Eagle project, finally settling on building a picnic shelter at Edgar Rec Center.  Growing up in Exeter, he was familiar with both parks in town as he and his family had always enjoyed using them.  Gilbert’s Park had a picnic shelter, but Edgar Rec Center did not. 

Once he found a project that interested him, he met with the church board along with the park board to see if they were interested in having a shelter. Since Edgar Rec Center is owned by the Exeter United Methodist Church, Bartu had to get permission from both the church and the Exeter Park Board which maintains both of the parks in Exeter. The boards were very enthusiastic in support of the project and offered to help in whatever capacity they could.

Bartu then had to meet with the Cornhusker Council Prairie Winds District Advancement Board and review the project with them.  After the project was approved Bartu began the next phase of planning and raising funds.

The shelter, which is 26 x 20, was funded by grants from the Mary Tous Foundation, the Exeter Community Foundation and the Fillmore County Foundation. 

Bonnie Cudaback, who serves on the park board, was thrilled with the addition to the park, “My initial reaction when Joey approached me with the idea was that it would be a marvelous addition to the park.” 

And now, with it finished Cudaback and the park board loved the result, “The shelter is so well built and very attractive.  Very, very nice!! The Edgar Rec Board is most grateful to Joey and his family for the shelter.”  

There were some obstacles along the way, “There was no electricity at the park so it was challenging using power tools along with working around the weather,” explained Bartu.

Bartu especially appreciated help and advice from Dale Erdkamp at Exeter Lumber and church member and contractor Mike Anderson, “Working with Mike and Dale was great because they helped show me both the right materials to use and gave me construction advice.”

Kim Dunker, who serves as Pastor at the Exeter United Methodist Church, has planned a church service in the new shelter soon and envisions its use for many of the youth activities, “It was so awesome to watch the plan come together and dreams come true.  We are so thankful and grateful for Joey’s gift.  It will be used in a very wonderful way.  I know there are so many memories just waiting to be made there in the park.”

On March 18, Bartu directed a crew in assembling the roof structure and sheeting the roof of the shelter.  After a lunch provided by the United Methodist Church and served in their memorial room the crew finished the main part of the shelter during the day. A smaller crew roofed the structure over the next few days.

Additionally, Bartu finished the ends of the structure, added soffit and fascia and put a coat of sealer on all of the cedar boards.  A ceiling and trim were added to completely seal up the structure.  In total, Bartu and his crew spent about 325 hours building the picnic shelter.

Currently, Bartu is finishing his paperwork on the project and hopes to turn that in and schedule a board of review soon so that he can receive his Eagle rank award.