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.

Happy Fourth!

Exeter History: Fourth of July Parade 1908

 This photo was recently found at the Exeter Public Library and they graciously allowed us to scan the photo for the website.  Printing and writing on the photo indicate it was the Exeter Fourth of July Parade in 1908.

Exeter History: First Car

The back of this picture reads, "Uncle George's First Car"
Also written is Lloyd McGlie in car

Exeter-Milligan-Friend Trap Season

E-M-F-Trap 2017 front row from the left:  Jaiden Papik, Kaden Bristol, Ben Bartu, Cammie Harrison, Devin Harrison, Dayson Staskal, Marcus Krupicka, Cori Combs, Cade Kresak and Blaze Miller.  Middle row from the left: Coach Justin Harre Tara Mueller, Peytan Brandt, Ryan Sharp, Trystan Brandt, Trevor Naber, Clint Oldehoeft, Spencer Pribyl, Zac Hornbacher, Derek Axline and Coach John Steyer.  Back row from the left:  Evan True, Isaac Melton , Joey Bartu, Trever Zelenka, Sidney Steyer, Kate Jansky, William Yokel, Noah Lambrecht, Chelse Hornbacher, Kynli Combs, Trenton Naber.  Missing from the photo are Coach Lisa Soukup, Mel Ann McCoy, Tommy McCoy, and Peyton Pribyl.

The Exeter/Milligan/Friend Trap team had another successful season.

The team which is divided into Juniors (age 12 through 8^th grade) and Seniors (9 – 12^th grade).  They competed with around 200 other shooters every Saturday morning at Crooked Creek club near Aurora.

This year the team had a total of 33 shooters including 14 juniors and 19 seniors.  Each Saturday the seniors would shoot 50 clays to start the day at the 16 yard line followed by the juniors who shot 50. 

In the afternoon, each senior would shoot handicaps, shooting at the line which was half the distance of their score in the first round (i.e. if they shot a 46 in the first round they would be at the 23 yard line for handicap).

There are no registration fees because each team member helps contribute to a soup and sandwich lunch in Exeter along with a labor auction.  The juniors and seniors that are seventh grade and up are on the auction block for eight hours of labor.

Each year Coach Justin Harre is pleasantly surprised at how the event goes, “The community support we receive at the fundraiser soup luncheon and auction is very much appreciated.  We are able to use the funds raised to pay for all of the teams’ entry fees at conference and at the state shoot, along with all of their practice clays.  The majority of the cost of their team coats is paid for also.”

Harre, along with Lisa Soukup and John Steyer, keep busy coaching during practices and at the meets.  They spend the entire day outside no matter what the weather and with the season starting in mid-March there always seems to be snow and rain for those Saturday mornings.

The team also participates in a statewide gun raffle.  Since the gun raffle has gone so well they were able to lower the entry fees for the conference.  Most of the raffle proceeds go toward scholarships for the club members.

Throughout the season the two members of the junior team who shot 25 straight were Kayden Bristol and Trenton Naber.  On the senior team William Yokel, Sidney Steyer (2), Kate Jansky (2), Trever Zelenka, Blaze Miller, Ryan Sharp (2), Evan True, Joey Bartu, and Noah Lambrecht all shot a perfect 25. Trystant Brandt received a $500 scholarship from the Central Nebraska Trapshooting Conference.

At the Conference level Blaze Miller placed seventh overall in the boy’s conference which put him on the second team in the second position.  Sidney Steyer was fourth overall on the girl’s conference team with Tara Mueller right behind her in fifth.  They were on the first conference team.

On the juniors side of things Kaden Bristol was sixth overall in the first position on the second team.  Cori Combs was third on the girl’s team and Jaiden Papik was fifth on the girl’s team.

The season culminated with the team participating in the 48^th Annual Cornhusker National Jr/Sr High School Shoot sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks and held in Doniphan each year in May.  Over 2500 students participated this year.

Trever Zelenka and Blaze Miller both received hardware from the State Tournament this year.  Zelenka placed eighth at the 20-21 handicap yard line and Miller placed tenth.

Coach Soukup emphasized that the team members gain so much from participating in trap, “Gun safety is the number one thing they learn.  You know it or you don’t go on the line.  For some who would not normally pick up a gun this is a huge opportunity to experience shooting a gun and competition.”

Harre added,“Trap shooting is an individual sport as well as a team sport so the participants learn that their team is dependent on them to be there.”

Tara Mueller, Blaze Miller, Sidney Steyer, Jayden Papik, Cori Combs and Kaden Bristol hold the hardware they received from the conference trap.

Exeter History: Smith Index Tag Employees

Written on back of photo (photo taken of original by Carolyn McCabe)
25 years of service to Smith Index Factory - 1935
L to R Back row - M. L. Rogers, Frank Lewis, Nesbit Whitmore, George McGhee and Clarence Kimberly.
Front row - Elula Smith, Belle Alexander, Nina Chambers and Ida Skinner.