Exeter Girl Scout Distributes Bags

 

Girl Scout Brooklyn Oldehoeft bags up groceries for Kollin and Logan Harre in a free reusable tote she is handing out as part of her Girl Scout Bronze award.

 

Shoppers at Greg’s Market in Exeter received a bonus on Saturday as Brooklyn Oldehoeft, a member of Exeter Girl Scout Troop 20703, passed out reusable grocery bags as part of her Bronze award.

Oldehoeft, a sixth grader at Exeter-Milligan, has been a member of her girl scout troop since Kindergarten.  Currently a Cadette scout, Oldehoeft began working on her Bronze Award last year as a Junior scout but the pandemic  got in the way.

First she had to complete a set of badges called a Journey.  Since she could choose which journey she wanted to do, Oldehoeft chose the Outdoor journey.  During that she had to identify a problem she wanted to do something about,  come up with a sustainable solution and then take action to solve the problem.

Oldehoeft found her problem blowing in the wind, “On our way to Lincoln I saw a lot of (plastic) bags out in fields and in places where they shouldn’t have been.”

After doing the paperwork which included prompts to guide her to a project, Oldehoeft realized she wanted to provide reusable bags to her community.

Her mom, Kendra Oldehoeft, is also her leader.  Kendra noted that the paperwork helped guide Brooklyn to “issues to see in her community.”

Brooklyn and her troop members (a total of three) raised funds through selling Girl Scout cookies and also had a bake sale last year during the craft show at the Exeter Legion.

With her funds raised, Brooklyn looked online and found different companies who make reusable bags.  “I picked one and created the design on the bag.”

She chose to distribute them in Exeter, “I wanted to be where we would see them and wanted to get the community involved.”

Currently Greg’s Market isn’t allowing reusable bags because of the pandemic, “Right now they can take them out but I hope in the future they are able to bring them back,” explained Brooklyn.

This was an experience where Brooklyn learned from start to finish, from raising funds, to an awareness of needs and finally seeing a project through to the end.   She learned, “If you want to make a difference it takes hard work, but you can do it.”

“The world needs lots of change and people like me can make it happen.”

Brooklyn credits the Girl Scout program for “helping girls boost their confidence and achieve their goals.”

She spent approximately 25 hours on the project.  As she continues on in the Girl Scout program she hopes to find meaningful projects for both her silver and her gold award.

Despite the pandemic their troop is participating in online programs and getting online with their troop and will be selling cookies starting February 12.

 

 

 

 

 

Exeter-Village Board Meets

 

Exeter Village Board met on Tuesday Jan 5 in the Library to maintain a social distance.

After approving the minutes and invoices for last month the board moved on to resolution 21-01 which placed a lien on 122 N. Burlington Avenue.  No one has come forward to purchase the property .  Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted the lien was just the first half of the cleanup, $2480 and the second half will be $2748.00. 

The lien was approved  and they moved to discuss the  excess heavy equipment parked at 211 N. Burlington Avenue.  The certified letters in which the owner was advised the yard must be cleaned up were not picked up.  There are three big trucks in the yard, an unlicensed vehicle and the lawn was not mowed this year. 

The board discussed having law enforcement deliver the letter to a residence.  Board member Bob Mueller volunteered to check with Fillmore County sheriff about serving paperwork since the certified letters have not been collected.

The board continued their discussion on neglected properties that are on their list to condemn. They discussed a budget and a plan to eliminate the eyesores in town.  The board decided to move to begin paperwork to condemn the Salazar property.

Chairman Alan Michl made it clear “We aren’t tackling any house that someone is living in.”

Board member Justin Harre added that  they need to “Let all the homeowners know what is going on. . .and proceed with the (condemnation on the) one.”

Michl  gave the Marshals report noting that he had visited with Mayor Kanoke, and Friend police officers Shawn Gray and Dominic Lambardo about the police department situation.  The group discussed a plan where the Friend police would guarantee 20 hours of week patrolling Exeter, spend time in the schools and deal with the ordinance issues for $21,000 per year.

“We are paying $15.00 per hour now,” explained Michl,  “They are interviewing more officers. They asked if we would help pay for officer training.”

Michl added that the Village approached the county years ago to provide police coverage and the price was over $60,000 per year.

“ I think we are at the point where we need to try something with them ,” Harre stated.

“We are in the same boat as every other little town in Nebraska,” Michl added.

In the absence of Village Maintenance supervisor John Mueller, Clerk Erdkamp update the board on the costs for new water meters. She explained that Mueller spoke with the meter company and they said they could reduce the water meter training down half price but he is waiting to get it in writing before presenting it to the board.

Erkdamp added that several of the meters are no longer working and need to be replaced now.

Clerk Erdkamp gave her report.  Sales tax for October was $10,432.14 and keno receipts for November were $146.22.  The board set the next meeting for February 9^th.

 

Exeter-Milligan Boys keep it close against Diller-Odell

Exeter-Milligan boys trailed the entire game but didn't give up.  Final 36-49

 

Exeter-Milligan Girls Extend Their Win Streak Against Ranked DIller-Odell

The Lady Timberwolves trailed the Lady Griffins by one point at the end of the first quarter (11-12) but after that they controlled the board.  Final was 36-30.

 

Exeter-Milligan Update: View From the Front Office

 

View From the Front Office

 

Exactly eight months ago we dismissed school due to COVID-19.  It appears that the situation is even worse now compared to then. It is evident the precautions intended to slow the spread of the virus have not been utilized to their fullest extent.  Politics aside, the science underscores the importance of practicing these preventive measures.  Please do your best to help mitigate the spread and slow this train down.  As adults, we need to model for our youth what it means to do what is best for others. 

As we move into the holiday season, this is the time we give thanks.  With all that is happening it is hard to think about what we are thankful for, but actually now is the best time to share our thanks.  I had the opportunity to partake in the FCS Foods class Thanksgiving dinner (which was delicious.) A tradition during this meal is each participant must share one item for which they are thankful.  An overwhelming theme was the students were thankful they were still in school and had the opportunity to participate in an activity such as this.  When it was my turn, I shared I was thankful for my oldest son’s safe return from his navy deployment and I am also thankful for my extended EM Wolves family. The students helped me put it all in perspective - be thankful for the little things in life we take for granted.

These last eight months have been very stressful for everyone.  To say it has been overwhelming is an understatement.  There have been days when I swear I am dreaming and I will soon wake up and all will be back to normal. As school leaders we have so many factors to take into consideration.  I realize no matter what decision is made, someone will be upset. But we make the decisions based on what is best for our students.  Hence another reason to be thankful for my extended E-M family. The teachers and staff have been nothing but supportive to each other. They have truly demonstrated their resolve and that TEAM> ME. 

The students have also done a great job adjusting to the new norm.  There are times when we need to remind each other to get that mask over the nose and to social distance; but, overall, the students get it.  Adhering to the preventive measures helps keep them in school and participate in all the school related activities.  Hats off to our students for helping lead the way and also showing that TEAM> ME. 

Most of all, I am thankful for my immediate family.  No matter what happens, my wife is always there for me - whether I am giddy with excitement because I had an AWESOME day at school or I am Mr. Grumpy and need to put my positive pants on (she tells me that often.) Without her guidance and support, my days and nights just wouldn’t be the same.  Thank you Karla for being there for me each and every day!

There you have it - my thankful list for 2020.  Before we know it, Christmas will be here and we will soon be saying, “Man, I sure hope 2021 is better than this past year.”  Make sure to take some time this holiday season to reconnect with someone from the past, go out of your way to help someone in need, or tell those who are the closest to you how much you appreciate them.  These last eight months have demonstrated we can’t take these relationships for granted. Make an effort to be the positive light for others - remember TEAM> ME.

 

Thought for the month:

There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark. 

Helen Keller (Light in My Darkness)

Exeter-Milligan boys can't find a win at Holiday Tournament

 Exeter-Milligan boys just needed one more basket to win their first tournament game in Roseland on Wednesday but the last shot (and a lot of other shots) just didn't fall for them.  They lost 40-42 against Silver Lake on Wednesday and lost to Shelton on Thursday.