POET donates and plants trees at Library park

 

Exeter Public Library recently received a donation of two flowering trees.  The trees were donated by POET Bioprocessing in Fairmont in recognition of Arbor Day and Earth Day.

Three POET employees planted the trees in the Exeter Public Library Park along with assistance from fifteen children that attend the libraries after school program.

Pictured with the students are the POET employees (in POET shirts) from the left: Marci Robinson, Thor Johnson and Adam Chrans.

Obituary Louisa D. Manning

 

Louisa LaVonne (Schwab) Manning was born on September 4, 1927, to John Oran and Margaret Elizabeth (Myers) Schwab at her parents’ home two miles west of Exeter, Nebraska. She died at Heritage Crossings in Geneva on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the age of 95 years, 9 months, and 16 days.

Her grandfather, Philip Schwab, homesteaded across the road in 1871. Some of the history of her Grandma Melissa Whitaker Schwab’s family is on the monument in front of the Fillmore County Courthouse.

When asked as a small child what her name was, Louisa said something that sounded like “Wee-wee,” and her Dad never called her anything else. Her favorite place was outside or being in the barn with her dog, “Ernie.” She continued to enjoy dogs all of her life.

Louisa attended rural school District 91 through the fourth grade and Exeter Public School where she graduated with the class of 1944. She enrolled in classes at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and pledged Alpha Gamma Delta as a sophomore.

Louisa took the bus to work at the Havelock Goodyear plant the summer of 1945 working to cover WWII B-24 bombers’ fuel tanks with seven layers of rubber to protect them from bullets. The tanks were bigger than caskets. She was a real “Rosie the Riveter!”

Louisa received her teaching certificate in 1946 and taught fourth grade in Sutton, Nebr. for one year. She had 20 students and remembered many of their names more than 70 years later. Louisa traveled to New York State the summer of 1947 to visit Schwab relatives and the graves of ancestors.

Louisa was baptized and confirmed by Rev. Samuel Beechner at the Exeter Methodist Church on April 9, 1939, in the same class as her future husband, Richard Manning. They were married in an 8:00 p.m. ceremony on Fri., November 14, 1947, at the church. A wedding dance followed in Burress on the snowy and sleety night.

The couple lived on the “Abbott” place east of the Fairmont Airfield without electricity, plumbing or telephone. They moved into Dick’s parents’ home next to the Manning Grain Company headquarters in Burress in Nov. 1953 and then into the house they built in the east “suburbs” of Burress in May 1960.

Louisa loved her home and family and enjoyed caring for their large garden and lawn, sewing, and canning. Her wedding memory album showed that her greatest ambition was “to be a good cook.” Dick said he taught Louisa how to make grilled cheese sandwiches, but it was noted that she baked her first pie, an apple, for her folks’ 30th anniversary three weeks after their wedding to serve with the rabbit that Dick had shot. Family and friends were beneficiaries of Louisa's great meals and baking: cloverleaf and cinnamon rolls, breads, kolaches, cookies, pies, and many angel food birthday cakes with seven-minute frosting. Her frozen sweet corn was priceless.

Louisa was a long-time member of the Exeter and Geneva UMW and American Legion Auxiliary Post #218, serving in various offices. She was a past member of the Exeter Women’s Club. Since building their home and moving to Geneva in March 1992, Louisa had volunteered for Save for American at the elementary school, at the Red Cross Bloodmobile, and at Heritage Crossings. Louisa and Dick enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels together. They established the Richard and Louisa Manning Scholarship Fund in 2008 to benefit Exeter-Milligan and Fillmore Central graduates attending a University of Nebraska school. They also made gifts in 2009 to the Nebraska and Exeter Area Community Foundations.

In later years, Louisa and Dick continued to enjoy their new home, computers, reading, tending their flowers and garden, and attending their grandchildren’s activities and events. They traveled extensively. Some of their trips were by small plane piloted by Dick, including to Las Vegas and Canada. Louisa and Dick celebrated their 50th anniversary on Nov. 9, 1997, with a buffet dinner at Chances R Restaurant in York and their 60th anniversary and 80th birthdays with an open house buffet at Stone Creek in McCool Junction on November 17, 2007.

Dick died on October 13, 2011, following surgery in October of 2010, and Louisa could no longer care for her home and yard. She moved just down “J” St. to her Heritage Crossings assisted-living apartment on June 10, 2013. Her dear friend there was Dick's cousin, Jim Biba. Louisa moved to skilled nursing on November 18, 2015.

Louisa was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Philip and Waverly (infant); husband, Richard; and daughter-in-law, Roxanne Manning.

She leaves to cherish memories and gratitude for her life her children Jim of Lincoln; Mary Jane (Ken) Havick of Omaha; Margie (Chris) Hayes of Osceola; Scott of Omaha, and Don (Joan), of Burress; eleven grandchildren Leslie (Pat) Huggins, Kirk (Elisha) Havick, Amy (Justin) Mollak, Kara (Brad) Geelan, Jena (Jeff) Depue, Austin and Landon (Jamie) Hayes, Megan and Madeline Manning, Rachel (Robert) Powell, Jr., and Shane Manning; fifteen great-grandchildren Brooks, Brynn, and Blake Havick, Nora, Levi, and Rio Depue, Elle, Luke, and Gavin Mollak, Maggie, Kora, and Kylie Geelan, Benjamin Powell, and Layla and Maxwell Hayes. Also surviving are many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends and neighbors, including members of the Burress Belles group.

Louisa's message to all who knew her: “Thanks for being a player in my life. I’ve been very lucky!”

Mark 14:8: “She has done what she could.”

Throwback Thursday 06/16/2013

 

06/16/2013

Death Notice: Carla Due
(October 2, 1913 - June 16, 2013)

Funeral services for Carla will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova. Pastor Brenda Pfeifly will officiate the service. 

 

 Two Exeter-Milligan Seniors are getting ready to play in the 36th annual Eight-Man All-Star Football Game on the East Team.  Blake Papik and Robbie Androyna will play in the game at Hastings College

Exeter-Milligan Seniors Jackie Luzum and Taylor Erdkamp were chosen to play on the winning South team in the Tribune Volleyball Classic last Thursdays. 

 

Kathy Stych became the Postmaster in Exeter. Stych was the Postmaster in Cordova from 1998 to the present and filled in at the post office for a number of years before becoming postmaster.

 

Trystan Brandt, son of Roger and Dianne Brandt of Exeter, participated in the Hershey's Track and Field state finals held at Grand Island on June 8. He received 1^st place in the standing long jump, 2^nd place in the 100m dash, and 2^nd place in the 200m dash in the13 and 14 year old age division. Trystan qualified to attend the event by receiving 1^st place in the standing long jump, 100m dash, and 200m dash at the district meet held at York in May. Top finishers at the state meet will be notified in mid-July if they are selected to participate on the regional team at the Hershey's North American finals held at Hershey, PA in August.

Death Notice Louisa L. Manning

 

A Funeral Service for Louisa will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Exeter United Methodist Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Pastor Murry Johnston will preside over the Funeral Service.

A Graveside Service will be held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Public visitation will be on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva.

Quilt of Valor Presented

 

John McCabe is surrounded by family after being draped in a Quilt of Valor.  Picutred behind him are (from the left): David Crabtree, Jane Drake, Cindy McCabe, Beth Crabtree, Judy Dinneen and Richard Crabtree.

 

A Quilt of Valor was presented to former Exeter resident John McCabe at St. Stephens Parish Hall over Memorial Day weekend.

Pat Becker, a member of the Quilt of Valor program, presented the quilt to McCabe and he was draped in the quilt by his daughter Beth Crabtree and grandson David Crabtree.

The quilt was pieced and bound by Becker and quilted by Carol (Votipka) Harris.

Becker explained that the program was started in 2003 when QOV founder Catherine Roberts’ son was deployed in Iraq.  A dream gave her the idea that quilts from home would be comforting to those serving and so she began to make them to award to active military along with veterans.   

Roberts created a non-profit foundation to guide the project.  Since 2003 over 345,645 quilts have been awarded to those who have served.

It was Roberts’ dream that the quilts would be recognized as a “civilian purple heart.”  

Becker added in presenting the quilt, “As a grateful nation to thank you for your time in military service. . .and for putting your life on hold for serving your country.”

McCabe entered Air Force officer training after graduating from UNL.  He attended training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  In 1962 he graduated as a second lieutenant with a weapons control career field and duty assignment at Hancock Field in Syracuse, New York.

He then spent several months training at Biloxi, Miss before returning to Syracuse.  After two years at Syracuse and work as a part of NORAD, McCabe was reassigned to New Ulm West Germany.  He was a part of the Detachment 2 of the 601^st Tactical Control Squadron in Eurpoe

Not only did his location change but also the operation was somewhat altered. In the US McCabe had been focused on protected American soil against aerial attack but in Europe he trained to maintain a tactical air superior force. Using radar and a simple non-computerized control room his unit conducted annual field tests to maintain their skills.

McCabe had met the love of his life, Cindy, in Syracuse and so before leaving the service they married and spent three additional years in Europe while welcoming a daughter to their family.

McCabe now resides in Muncie, Ind.

Exeter Alumni Class of 1953 and 1968

Above: Representing the Exeter High School class of 1953 is Marie “Rasmussen” McCormick.

Below: The Exeter High School Class of 1968 pictured from the left are: Ann “Volkmer” Copple, Dick Drummond, Cheryl “Styskal” Luzum, Bernie Stych, Ann “Songster” Cahill and Bob Becker.

 

Alumni Banquet Class of 1958 and 1948

The Exeter High School class of 1958 pictured from the left are: Jerry Chapman, Connie “Drucker” Gadt, Carol “Buell” Grote, Glory “Pribyl” Chab, Lois “Dumpert” Thomsen, Marilyn “Loukota” Harre, and John McCabe.

 The Exeter High School class of 1948 pictured from the left are: Emma Jean “Springer” Dickey, Marion “Kelly” Geiger, Melva “Loukota” Green and Henry Schneider.

Throwback Thursday 06/09/2013

 

06/09/2013

The Exeter-Milligan Band will be performing in the Milligan Q125 Parade today at 1:30 in Milligan.  Also featured in the parade will be the State Champion Exeter-Milligan Volleyball Team and the State Runner-up Football team.

Paul and Nancy Jensen recently donated two large granite benches to the Exeter Aquatic Center.  The benches were placed outside the pool area so parents and family members could watch their kids from the outside.

Exeter Aquatic Center Holds Midnight Swims

Midnight Swims are held every Wednesday (weather permitting) at the Exeter Aquatic Center.
Here are the ages/hours:
Under 13 until 10:00 p.m.
13 & over until midnight

Glenwood Communications installed video surveillance cameras on the Exeter village building Thursday, May 30^th and at several other locations around town.  These cameras were stolen sometime between Sunday June 2nd and Monday June 3rd.  A reward will be offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators.

Exeter-Milligan Band honors included:

The John Phillip Sousa Award – Taylor Erdkamp

The Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence – Jennifer Pribyl

The Director’s Award for Band – Trystan Brandt

 

Exeter-Milligan Update: History Update

 

History Update

By Brian Murphy, Exeter-Milligan Social Studies Instructor

 

The Exeter-Milligan history classes of Mr. Murphy have been covering numerous topics in American History. Eighth grade is finishing the year covering the Civil War. Sophomores are covering the decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Modern History is finishing the semester discussing 9-11 and the changes in American society because of the events in 2001. World Geography is making a quick overview of Africa, Asia, and the Oceania regions. Dual credit American Government has gone in-depth over topics in the subject. 

 

Social Science Literature have read books this semester over the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the Civil War, Willa Cather's, "O' Pioneers,:  the Navajo code talkers of World War II, the murder of Emmett Till, and will finish with a book about migrant farm workers. The goal of the course is to improve reading comprehension and writing skills, while covering topics throughout American history in greater detail. 

 

Pictured:  The Social Science Literature class reading the book on the murder of Emmett Till. 

 

 

 

Exeter Alum Publishes First Novel

 

Sitting at a table in what used to be part of a practice field at Exeter High School, alumna Allison ‘Michl’ Bitz was back on her old stomping grounds to sign copies of her recently published debut novel.

Bitz quickly sold out of more than 20 copies during the special signing event during Exeter/Exeter-Milligan alumni weekend.  A Lincoln resident, Bitz will be back in Exeter during Exeter Days on Saturday July 29 and will sign and sell copies of her book from 10-11 at Exeter Public Library.

Bitz started her fictionalized story of a young teenage girl headed to a college prep boarding school for music back in 2017. “Honestly, I just wanted to write something fun. . .mainly to entertain myself.”

Bitz was inspired to write, “The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom,” by Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”  Her main character Bridget, like Ariel, just “feels like she doesn’t belong in her current world.”

She also found inspiration for several of her characters in the book from Elle Woods (from “Legally Blonde”) and Rachel (from the TV show “Glee”).  Reading the first few sentences of her book you can see the references to others close to Bitz in real life including a shared Grandma Evelyn with Bridget and a necklace made by her own grandfather like the necklace Bridget has.

 Bitz emphasized that Bridget “is not me! Things happen to her that were inspired by me. . .being a plus size teen, but she is not me.”

As she was signing books a former classmate and fellow Exeter band member came in and visited Bitz.  They shared memories and Bitz explained that some of their band camp memories were also experienced by Bridget.

Bridget hails from Lynch, Neb. a small town in northern Nebraska that Bitz thought she made up (her apologies to the real town of Lynch).  However, Bridget experiences the same feelings that Bitz did growing up in small town Nebraska, “I was looking through the lens of not always feeling like you fit in in a small town.  I am definitely weird in this town, but not in a bad way.  I value Exeter.”

Bitz talked about how she wasn’t sure how much of her perceived weirdness was just in her head as a teenager. Bitz, who has a PhD in psychology and works as a counselor in Lincoln used some of her “psychology stuff and therapy know-how” in the book and wanted to emphasize “body positivity – you can be beautiful and graceful and live a life at any size.”

Bitz mentioned both Mrs. Betty, her English teacher, and Mrs. Murphy, her music teacher as influencing her future success.  “Mrs. Betty told me I was a good writer and Mrs. Murphy was all about the music.”

Bitz shared the process of how she went from a seed of an idea to a published hardback novel.  Her process has evolved to where it is now, an outline that she expands on by plotting scenes using a spreadsheet.  She also employs what she calls a word dump or a “word vomit” to get a flush or paragraphs down. She sometimes uses the word vomits but mainly it’s time to begin writing and re-writing.

Once the book is done it’s time for revisions. This involves both her agent and the publisher, “Basically, it’s unrecognizable from its original form,” explained Bitz. 

Her original agent didn’t feel Bridget was “on brand” for Bitz and so Bridget went “in the drawer” until 2021 when a new agent sent her proposal to multiple publishers and “pretty quickly’ her book was picked up by Harper Collins and Random House (yes there were a few rejections in there but she accepted a “very good offer from Harper Collins”).

Holding that first hardback copy of Bridget gave Bitz “a sense of surrealness, like ‘okay I know I wrote this but can this be real?’”

She is currently writing a second book which is scheduled to be released in 2024 from Harper Collins.  It’s called “Three Things About Emmy Crawford.”

Bitz shared that it is the story of an influential senator’s daughter who is a “kid in the spotlight, a high school senior who is good a debater and falls for her chief debate rival.”

Emmy, like Bitz, has Crohn’s disease and she has incorporated the challenges she has faced battling the disease in her upcoming novel. “I’m using it so people know about Crohn’s.  I’m not ashamed about having Crohn’s I don’t want it to limit my life.  I ignored it but got really sick.  So does Emmy.”

She has had several virtual events to launch the book but her publisher sponsored one in New York City at a library in the Bronx and her husband, James and children, Evie and Jonah, attended along with her parents, Alan and Shari Michl, and brother  Nate and his wife, Abby.

In addition to signing books at Exeter Days, Bitz will also be greeting fans and signing copies of her book in Seward at Chapters on Monday, July 3 from 1 – 2 p.m.