Exeter Boy Scouts Attend Campout at Homestead National Monument

Exeter Troop 218 dons waders and gets ready to do some work in the creek at Homestead National Monument.  From left to right are Braden Capek, Ben Bartu, Joey Bartu, Tyler Sysel and Clint Oldehoeft.

Laura Sysel, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 218 helps her son Tyler with the basket project at the Scoutout event at Homestead National Monument.

 Left to right Ben Bartu, Clint Oldehoeft and Ranger Susan Cook work at getting some of the chaff off the wheat they are grinding at Homestead National Monument.

Troop 218 Scoutmaster Dean Bartu helps hold the grinder down as troop member Clint Oldehoeft grinds some wheat during a scout event at Homestead National Monument.

The Cornhusker Council joined forces with the Homestead National Monument September 9 – 11 to host the councilwide Scoutout event.  The Boy Scouts fall campout was packed full of events that combined scouting ideals with the skills needed while homesteading.

Troop 218 out of Exeter camped out Friday night behind the educational center at the monument, setting up camp after a heavy rain went through the area. 

Saturday morning the Scouts had the opportunity to explore water quality and movement as they suited up in hip waders to begin their activity.  While down in the creek the boys learned how to measure the flow of the water and monitor erosion.

After shedding their waders the scouts got to play in the mud.  The object of the next session was to see how many living organisms are making their home near the creek.  

Digging into the buckets of creek bank mud the scouts looked for living organisms and then used a chart to identify them.  They were able to find mayfly larvae along with dragonfly larvae in the mud from the creek bank.

Birding on the prairie was the next activity for the group.  Dr. Jim Hoke shared his love of birding and the outdoors with the scouts.  They learned different ways of identifying birds and also some tips on using a bird book.

The scouts cleaned up and headed inside the educational center to start work on their genealogy merit badge with Beatrice Library Director Laureen Riedesel.

The scouts explored several methods for researching their own genealogy and were given several forms to help get them started on their journey to learn about their past.

During the lunch break the troop members took some time to visit the Homestead Heritage Center at the monument.  The scouts used the Heritage Center computers to research their family name in the Bureau of Land Management records to see if they could find homesteading records.

The afternoon session started with the scouts working on the basketry merit badge.  The boys learned to use reeds to make baskets before heading outside to learn about wheat production.  During this period the scouts sifted the wheat berries and used a grinder to make flour.  They also got to see how a flail works and tested it out without any actual grain.  

Next, the unit headed inside to explore the early agricultural equipment.  They learned how the advancements in equipment drastically affected the amount of land the farmers could manage.

Archaeology was the last merit badge of the day the scouts started.  Archeologists from the Midwest Archaeological Center (part of the National Park Service) came from Lincoln to give the scouts a glimpse into their work.  

On a section of mowed prairie the archaeologists had flagged out strips of land and dropped colored noodles onto the area.  The scouts paired up and one at a time had to see how many and what kind of noodles they could find and record their findings.  After both scouts went through the section they compared their results. 

After supper the evening program began with Ranger Susan Cook introducing Ryan Paul who spoke about Native American Indian folklore and told several stories about the names of the constellations.  The scouts then had the opportunity to experience the star lab which is an inflated dome that they entered which had the constellations projected on the ceiling.  

To end the evening the scouts had the opportunity to witness a iridium flare out on the prairie.  This was the opportunity to see several satellites moving across the skyline.

The scouts headed home with lots of new merit badges started along with an amazing camping experience at a National Monument.

E-M Falls to Friend in Nailbiter 44-40

 After leading the first quarter the Timberwolves jumped out ahead early in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs weren't far behind.  The score was tied at 20 at the half.  Final 44-40

Jos gets a big tackle.

Cornhusker Girls State Representatives Speak

Pictured from the left are Sydney Hall, Ashley Benorden, Samantha Horne and Haylee Sheffield while they spoke about their experiences at Cornhusker Girls State this summer.

On Sunday, September 11, 2016 the William Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #218 hosted a gathering of community members and members of the Legion family to hear from the Exeter and Milligan Girls State Attendees of the June 5-11, 2016 event.

Ashley Benorden, Sydney Hall, Samantha Horne and Haylee Sheffield reported on their activities in Lincoln on the campus of UNL and around the city, as they had a hands on experience learning about the workings of government, the responsibilities of an informed citizen and the dedication and respect necessary to keep the country free.

The girls campaigned for various political offices or served on councils.  They did community service, made cards for veterans, tray favors, volunteered a the Malone Center, played in the coed band or sang in the coed choir.

While celebrating the 75^th anniversary of Girls State they heard from Miss Nebraska, Governor Pete Ricketts and coaches from the University of Nebraska to promote self-confidence, inspire them to be their own leader and the need to vote!

All four girls felt it was a very worthwhile experience and were very thankful to the Auxiliary for sending them.

Haylee Sheffield concluded the program by reading from a published book about the “9-11 Attacks” upon the United States.  All those attending spoke of where they were when they heard about the twin towers and the emotions they felt at that time but some of the attendees were only infants or had not been born yet.  Refreshments were served at the end of the program.

 

Stubbendick receives quilt of valor

Roy Stubbendick is pictured with his quilt of valor surrounded by Auxiliary members including Kay Due (right) and on the left, Pat Rocole.  

The William Sullivan American Legion Post #218 in Exeter held a quilt of valor ceremony Monday evening, September 12 for World War II veteran, Roy Stubbendick.  

At age 95, Mr. Stubbendick has received his 70 year membership pin from the Amercian Legion coming from his active duty from the fall of 1942 to mid-March 1946.

Wearing a red rose boutonniere from his daughters, Roy wanted to tell about growing up near Unadilla, Nebraska and going to country school. His father passed away when Roy was nine years old but his strong willed mother kept the family together and continued to farm.  In 1941 he became engaged but was working away from home and got drafted.  Roy stated, “I didn’t want to walk for the Army so I decided to fly.”

After receiving training at different sites in different states he became a multi-engine pilot for them c-47 airplane.

From Fort Wayne, Ind. Roy flew to southeast Florida then to South America crossing the Amazon River which he described in great deal.  He was amazed at how large it was and called it “amazing.”

They landed in Brazil.  He appreciated having a good navigator assisting the pilots on every flight as he was sent to Africa by way of the northern route which was through India.

Stubbendick’s job was hauling supplies to the American troops.  The couldn’t land the planes so they removed the back door and put cargo in huge bags to push it out the back door. When they could land, they did and found fresh pineapples off of the trees on the hillsides.  

After six months they got orders to go to China.  They flew day trips to Shanghai but didn’t always have a navigator so they followed the river to get to their camp.

Unfortunately, sometimes the cargo Stubbendick had to transport were the bodies of dead soldiers so that they could be returned home to the United States.

Near the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, a huge blizzard hit the antenna on the plane and they had to land make camp.  Tigers came down from the hills to their camp.  Another time while sleeping, Stubbendick was aroused from sleeping with the feeling of the presence of something in the tent. He kept a .45 pistol under his pillow which he slowly removed only to discover a cow had been watching him sleep.  He reminded the audience that, “Cows are sacred in India.”

Stubbendick recalled that the C-47 was one of the most reliable planes. Most other planes contributed to the “Trail of Tin” as they tried to cross the Himalayan Mountains. 

When the war was over, Stubbendick had to wait four months before receiving his orders to go home.  He parked his plane in Calcutta, India and headed home by ship.  It took three days to get down the river to the ocean and then 31 days to get to the United States.

Stubbendick received a letter of appreciation from the Air Force of China and a “Pair of Wings.”  He was thankful that he had never contracted jungle fever like so many did while serving overseas.

After Stubbendick spoke, Phyllis Schoenholz, the Nebraska South Central Coordinator for the quilt of valor program, welcomed everyone.  She gave a brief history of the quilt of valor and the mission of the group.

American Legion Auxiliary members Kay Due and Pat Rocole displayed the quilt behind Stubbendick and wrapped him in it at the end of the presentation.  A reception followed the presentation.  

Prior to hearing Stubbendick speak, Evan True, the Exeter American Legion representative to Cornhusker Boys State this year spoke to the audience and thanked them for the opportunity to attend the educational event.

 

Football Game to be Broadcast on 104.9

The Exeter-Milligan vs. Friend football game will be broadcast live by MaxCountry  FM 104.9 Friday night.  The game starts at 7 p.m.