Exeter-Milligan Open House Well Attended

Community members and students alike were interested in touring the new facilities at Exeter-Milligan during the open house Monday night.  The school has new rooms for the art and music programs along with a foreign language room.  Also in the new wing are a community classroom, a preschool classroom and a weight room open to the community.  Two new sets of bathrooms and a new commons area for concessions were also included in the addition. The new commons area is pictured below.

Above -Incoming kindergartener Gavin Mueller checks out his new desk during the open house at Exeter-Milligan.

Below– Natalie Meyer puts her school supplies in her desk with her mom Heather Meyer helping.  Also picture are her sister Emma Meyer, grandma Cheryl Roper and brother Josh Meyer checking things out during Exeter-Milligan’s open house.

6 – Parents of seventh through ninth graders at the Exeter-Milligan open house were busy filling out paperwork for the one-to-one laptop program. The tenth through twelfth grade parents got their turn later.

Exeter-Milligan Rolls Out the Welcome Mat

Exeter-Milligan rolled out the welcome mat to these four new teachers who will all be in classrooms at the Milligan campus.  From the left are Katherine Roemmich, Laura Steuben, Brooke Neville and Treven Cerveny

Laura Steuben – 3rd Grade
Hello, my name is Laura Steuben and I am the new 3rd grade teacher. I graduated from Milligan Public School and earned a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University. I am no stranger to the E-M district as my three children (Bailey, Blake and Brock) attend E-M, I previously substitute taught here and I also student taught with Mrs. Marla Weber. For the past four years I have been teaching in the primary grades at Fillmore Central Elementary. My husband Kip, our three children and I live in Milligan. I am thrilled to be a part of the Timberwolf team and am very excited for the upcoming school year!

Brooke Neville – 5th Grade
Hello! My name is Brooke Neville. I am very excited to be teaching fifth grade this year at Exeter-Milligan! I currently live in Geneva, my hometown, with my fiancé Ashton Soukup and our daughter Clara. I recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a dual degree in Special Education Kindergarten-6th grade and Elementary Education Kindergarten-6th grade. While attending school I worked for Cedars Youth Services in their before and after school program, newborn childcare center, and teenage homeless shelter. I loved my job, but I have always dreamed of coming back to Fillmore County to raise my children in the small town-family oriented atmosphere I was raised in. I enjoy spending time with my family and reading. My fiancé and I also really enjoy anything outdoors, such as hiking, camping, and spending time in our garden. I am so excited to become a Timberwolf and cannot wait for the school year to start!
The adventure of life is to learn. In the 5th grade classroom there will be plenty of learning and an endless amount ofadventures! Our classroom theme will be camping/outdoors, so get ready for s’more learning and a boat load of fun!!

Treven Cerveny – 6th Grade
Hello! My name is Treven Cerveny and I am excited about being your new 6th grade teacher at Exeter-Milligan! I am originally from Wilber, NE, where my family still resides. I graduated from Wilber-Clatonia Public School in 2011. In December of 2015, I graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in coaching. Following graduation I began substitute teaching, completing a long-term sub position at Wilber-
Clatonia in a 6th grade classroom. I currently live in Lincoln. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and watching or participating in sport activities. I am anxious for the year to begin to get to know my students and patrons of the community!

Katherine Roemmich – Resource
Hello! I'm Ms. Roemmich. I graduated high school from Fillmore Central Public Schools in 2009. After graduating high school, I received a teaching degree from Doane College and I began teaching resource at Lincoln Public School’s Lakeview Elementary. The last three years, I have worked with grades 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. This spring, I graduated from Doane College with a Master's Degree and this summer I recently got engaged! Next July, I will be Mrs. Smith! I am beyond excited to be going back to where I call “home” and beginning my next chapter at Exeter-Milligan Public Schools teaching 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade resource in the fall, as well was coaching track & field in the spring. I absolutely love teaching resource and working with athletes. It is my mission to instill a love for learning in my students, while teaching with a passion so students develop a desire to learn. I am looking forward to a great year together with you and your child.
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Exeter-Milligan Teachers Get Ready for the New Year

Above -Exeter-Milligan teachers started their Friday workday by pushing a bus (driven by Superintendent Paul Sheffield) down the street in front of the school.  Visible teachers from the front to the back on the left are Lorie Sliefert, Kara Myers, Marla Weber, Darcy White, Angie Murphy, Lisa Kanode and Dean Filipi.  On the right side are MaryLou Vossler, Brian Murphy and Melanie Papik.  The exercise was to remind teachers that they are all needed to push together with Sheffield leading the way to have a successful school year.

Below– Exeter-Milligan Principal Laura Kroll talks to the Exeter-Milligan teachers at the start of their first work day.  Each Exeter-Milligan students names were written on a balloon and divided among the teachers as a reminder of why the teachers are there.

All of the 2016 Exeter-Milligan Teachers

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that Barry Goldwater's mother, Josephine Williams, lived in Exeter for a few years.  Goldwater lost the bid for President in 1964.  Williams' parents ran a store in Exeter and was on the school board for several years.  Williams moved to Arizona for her health where she met her husband, Baron Goldwater.
 - from  Fillmore County Stories

Obituary: Thomas B. Manning

Thomas Burton Manning was born in Sawyer, NE to Earl and Clara (Biba) Manning on April 7,1930. He passed away on August 3, 2016 in Lincoln, NE. As a very young boy, Tom lived in Sawyer until 1934, when his father moved his elevator business, house, and barn to Burress, NE. He was then raised in Burress, where he also attended country school. He attended high school at Exeter Public School in Exeter, NE, where he graduated with his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Murphy in 1947. He briefly attended business school in Lincoln before returning to Burress, joining the family grain business. In the summer of 1949, he and Marilyn were married. They resided in Exeter for one year, then moved to Burress, where they lived for the remainder of their 65 years of marriage. It is there that they raised their eight children and taught them by example to be hardworking and honest. Tom felt that one of the most important gifts he could give his children was a good education.

Tom and Marilyn were united in marriage at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Exeter on June 11th, 1949. They held their wedding dance at the Burress Dance Hall. Shortly after, the historic hall was filled with grain. They spent their Honeymoon in Grand Lake, Colorado. Tom and Marilyn loved and respected each other in all walks of life. Together they shared an everlasting love.
Instilling the importance of family was very important to them. Most years they would take the family to Grand Lake in the summer to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. One of Tom’s greatest joys was taking his children on mountain hikes to the ranger station on top of Shadow Mountain. His last mountain hike was in 2014 at the age of 84. It was a one-mile hike, which included one of his favorite points of nature, Adams Falls. His final trip to Grand Lake was last September 2015.

Tom loved to spend time outdoors, whether it was for work or for pleasure. He enjoyed river fishing, gardening, hiking, a lifetime of scooping grain, and endless mowing! His dedication to neighbors, customers, friends, and family was ever present. He will be remembered as an honest, hardworking, kind, gentle, and caring man. He will be eternally loved, and forever missed.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, daughter Clara, and brother, Richard (Dick). He is survived by sons Thomas David Manning, and wife Bette, Fairmont, NE, Chris Manning and wife Brenda, Exeter, NE, Mark Manning and wife Leanne, Crete, NE, Kent Manning and wife Cindy Fairmont, NE, Matthew Manning and wife Heather, Lincoln NE; daughters, Melinda Hofferber, Westminster, CO, Jennifer Manning, Lincoln, NE; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

Fillmore County Foundation Grant Applications Available

Applications now available

for Fillmore County Foundation Grants

FILLMORE COUNTY – Groups, organizations, or communities seeking funding for projects may find a source of assistance through the Fillmore County Foundation.

Grant applications will be accepted through Wednesday, September 7, 2016 by 4:00 p.m.  Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered at the Fillmore County Foundation semi-annual meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13th, 2016.

Grant awards are made each March and September.  After the last application period over $4,000 was awarded.  Application forms are available at the Fillmore County Development Corporation office, 1032 G Street, Geneva, during regular office hours. You may also request an application by emailing lentfer.fcdc@genevamail.com, by telephone at 402-759-4910 or go the FCDC website at www.fillmorecountydevelopment.org and download a copy.

Current application forms with the September 7, 2016 deadline date must be used.  Persons with questions about the grant program may contact the Fillmore County Development Office at 759-4910 or Scott Olivia at 629-4446.

Exeter Village Board Continues Support for FCDC

By Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village Board opened their August meeting by reviewing the minutes and invoices from their July meeting.

The board approved the items after answering a question from board member Justin Harre on the water main repair bill.  Village board chairman Alan Michl explained that the high dollar repair costs included parts only because the village owned the equipment.   

Patt Lentfer was introduced by Michl to give a report on Fillmore County Development Corporation and to request the annual dues.  Lentfer reviewed the packet that she sent to the board members and also reported on some of the projects that the corporation is working on within the county.  

Lentfer noted their office is currently creating the Exeter section of the upcoming countywide informational brochure that they are producing in cooperation with NPPD.

The board approved the $1700 annual dues contribution to FCDC for this year. 

Brenda Motis with Fillmore County Senior Services gave the board the annual Exeter Senior Center report.   The center was closed the entire month of June with the tag factory demolition next door.   Motis gave statistics on the meals served, the hours open, and updates to the center.  The center has ordered a new desk with funds donated by the Exeter Community Foundation.

Motis also presented the budget from the senior center which was $9630 for the year and reported that the yearly expenses were under that.  “At this point the senior center is a self-supporting program. I do know that there are some things the village supports us in financially, but we are pretty much self- sufficient.  I want to thank the board for their continued support.”

Brian Murphy approached the board about putting a 4’ x 12’ movable shed  on the property just north of the senior center which would house artifacts or historical information about Exeter.  The board will review this idea.

The board reviewed the invoices from Brent Pankoke for the demolition of  the tag factory and the additional building.  Michl commented, “It was done right the first time. I would recommend him to anyone.”

Board Member  Justin Harre added, “ I think it exceeded our expectations.”

The Board reviewed the bids for improvemenst on the ball field.  The bid for redoing the infield was $11,000 including the brick work under home plate. Clerk Becky Erdkamp reminded the board that there were only 10 home games played in Exeter this year since the Exeter ball association combined with Milligan.   Michl noted, “I have no problem doing the $7500 bid without the brick under home plate.  If we do everything include pitching and infield they would take $500 off the bill.”

The board decided to gather some more information and review it next month.  The board discussed visiting the Sutton ballfields that the same company worked on. Board members Justin Harre and Mitch Schlegelmilch will work on the ballfield project with Brian Murphy.

Michl gave the maintenance report  in the absence of Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller.  Michl presented two pieces of equipment the maintenance department was interested in, a grabber bucket and a new utility tractor.  The board opted to wait to make any equipment decisions until the budget is finished.

Clerk Erdkamp reported that sales tax figures for May were $14658.11 and June Keno receipts netted $386.80.  Clerk Erdkamp presented several delinquent water bills.  The board discussed the upcoming Annual Conference in September.  

Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield gave the JPA report. The Fire Marshal approved the new addition and it will be ready for school to start.  There will be a community open house Aug 15 and the fitness center will be ready and open for public use on September 1.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, September 7.

Death Notice: Thomas B. Manning

Funeral services for Tom will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter. Father Steve Thomlison will officiate the services.

Burial will be held in the Exeter Cemetery following the funeral service.

Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter. A Rosary will be prayed at St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials are directed to the St. Stephen's Catholic Church or the Exeter Volunteer Fire Department.

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, made a brief appearance in Exeter in 1912.  His campaign train came through Exeter, stopping just long enough for President Taft to say a few words.  Of course, he defeated William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 election.

Throwback: Exeter Depot 1963

This photo was taken in 1963 by a traveler through Exeter after he dropped his son off at York College.  Little did he know his granddaughter would marry a Exeterite and his great-grandsons would live here one day.