Exeter Scouts Enjoy Summer Activities

Exeter Cub Scouts have filled their empty summer days with lots of fun activities and service projects the last few weeks.

Several of the scouts volunteered for Bingo at the Exeter Care Center and also helped lead a Flag Day program at the Care Center.  They put flags up in downtown Exeter for Flag Day as well.

During the week the scouts met for an afternoon session at the library and learned from Assistant Librarian Jessica Votipka how the library is organized.  They explored the library's computer check out system and also looked up a book using the Dewey Decimal System. 

While they were at the library they helped with a recycling project and did a little clean up at Storybook Park.

The weekend found the pack headed for a campout at Lone Star NRD facility.  The scouts played flag football, made father's day gifts and pool noodle swords before they cooked hot dogs for supper.

They boys did several skits for their families around the campfire before they enjoyed some s'mores.  Despite a late night storm that dumped an inch of rain sending everyone to their vehicles, the boys enjoyed the event.  They spent Saturday fishing and enjoying lunch before heading home to clean up the mud on their gear.

Cub Scouts from Friend and Exeter enjoyed a day living like Tom Sawyer at the Crete Youth Cabin near Crete.

The boys got to hike along the Blue River, make rafts like Tom Sawyer used and race them, and make their own jump rope.

Richard Brunkow, of Milligan, brought his rope making equipment and each of the boys got to make a 12 foot piece of rope.  The boys enjoyed lassoing tree branches and other objects throughout the camp.

The scouts started their Leave No Trace badge and practiced picking up the trash and sticks in the camp before leaving. They also earned the Photography Belt, learning about how photos take a roll in communication and history. They learned the parts of a camera and methods for taking better photos.

During the afternoon session the scouts played ultimate frisbee and shot bb guns, earning two more belt loops. Also participating in the day camp were scouts from Utica, Crete, Wilber, Claytonia and Fairbury

Five Boy Scouts from Friend Troop 270 helped at each station throughout the day.

Clint Oldehoeft tightens a nut on his Father's Day Hat Holder project while Peytan Brandt works on his pool noodle sword.

 Braden Capek cuts off a piece of pvc pipe for a pool noodle sword with the help of Dean Bartu.  Ben Bartu looks on in the background.

 The Exeter Cub Scouts learn about the Dewey Decimal System from Assistant Librarian Jessica Votipka.  The are pictured from the left Jackson Beethe, Clint Oldehoeft, Votipka, Ben Bartu, Cayden Hartmann, Briana Capek and Braden Capek.

Exeter Scouts learn about the computer check out system the library uses from Assistant Librarian Jessica Votipka.  The scouts are pictured from left to right Clint Oldehoeft, Jackson Beethe, Braden Capek, Cayden Hartmann and Ben Bartu.

 Richard Brunkow makes rope with scouts from Wilber and Claytonia at the Prairie Winds Tom Sawyer Cub Scout Daycamp.

Friend Cub Master Robert Vickery assists Keegan Newsome while Friend Troop 270 Boy Scouts Joey Bartu and Liam Noel run the BB gun station at the day camp. Liam is helping Cub Scout Ben Bartu.

 

 Friend Pack 270 Cub Scout Micah Noel (left) races Exeter Pack 218 Cub Scout Braden Capek with the Tom Sawyer rafts they made during daycamp.

 Bear Scout Jackson Beethe helps a resident with Bingo.

Wolf Scout Ben Bartu calls Bingo at the Exeter Care Center.

Exeter-Milligan Student Places at Hershey Track Meet

Trystan Brandt, son of Roger and Dianne Brandt of Exeter, received second place in the 200m dash and third place in the 100 m dash for the 11-12 year old division at the Hershey Track and Field State Finals held at Grand Island on June 11.  He qualified to attend the meet after receiving first place in the 100m dash and second place in the 200m dash at the District meet held at York in May. Trystan will be a seventh grader at Exeter-Milligan in the fall.

Flooding near Brownville, Nebraska

 Sunday afternoon the DOR closed the bridge across the Missouri River at Brownsville. The lower side of the town has quite a bit of flooding.

 Water spilling over the levee at Brownville on the east side of the bridge (Missouri side).

The Mighty Mo way out of it's banks.

Exeter Public Library Purchases New Computer

Assistant Librarian Jessica Votipka shows off the new patron computer at Exeter Public Library.

The Exeter Public Library recently purchased a new desktop computer for the use of it's patrons. 

The Library Board had been researching a new computer system for patron use and when the old one stopped working they sped up the process for purchasing a new internet computer.

The same internet policies will be in place on the new internet computer however, Assistant Librarian Jessica Votipka noted that "the new computer has Windows 7 and is noticeably faster at navigating the web."

Internet Computer policy set by the Library Board makes the computer available for patrons to search online but does not allow them to check email or to log into social networking sites. Librarian Nina Bartu reminds patrons that, "The library has the computer for informational use. It's an additional informational tool for our patrons."

Patrons are also able to burn a DVD on the new computer but only if the blank DVD is purchased from the library to ensure the computer stays virus free. Children under 10 can only use the computer if an adult is with them to supervise use.

The new computer will be purchased with memorial funds that were given to the library without designations. The Exeter Public Library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and closed over the noon hour.  The library is also open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

ODEGO Leadership Graduates

Front Left to Right: Mary Johnson, Shawnie Manthei, Kelly Nun, Kendra Jansky

Middle Left to Right:  Kim Slezak, Norman Marks, Christin Lovegrove, Susan Johnson, Shari Michl

Back row:  Todd Boller, Tyler Daly, Andrew Ley, John Wilkins, Marty Peppard

Odegeo. . . Leadership for Fillmore County Holds Graduation

The 2010-2011 Odegeo. . .Leadership for Fillmore County participants graduated from the nine-month leadership course on June 10^th. The event was held in the community room of Heritage Crossings in Geneva.

The speaker for the graduation was Dr. Richard Dudley, the former head of the Education Department at Doane College in Crete. He talked about the “skunk in the middle of the road” who doesn’t think past one answer to a problem. Leaders, however, work with others, get the facts, and determine a workable solution.

Rhonda Stokebrand introduced the graduates of the 2010-2011 Odegeo leadership class and their sponsors.

Todd Boller Fillmore County-Weed Dept

Katie Chaney Chaney Chemical

Brandie Conway Fillmore County-Sheriff Dept

Kendra Jansky Farmers and Merchants Bank

Tyler Daly Geneva State Bank

Mary Johnson Fillmore County Development Corp

Susan Johnson Edward Jones Investments

Andrew Ley Walter Insurance

Christin Lovegrove Heinisch Law Office

Shawnie Manthei M-C Industries/SunflowerMarketing

Norman Marks Self Sponsorship

Shari Michl Fillmore County Hospital

Kelly Nun York State Bank

Marty Peppard Fillmore County Hospital

Kim Slezak PC Nuts

Valerie Turner City of Geneva

John Wilkins Geneva State Bank

As each member received their plaque from on or the members of the Fillmore County Development Corporation (FCDC) Leadership Committee they gave a statement of what the Leadership sessions had given them. They then stated how they will use the knowledge and skills they learned to get involved in their community, work on an issues, run for office or serve on a board.

Amy Nelson, FCDC Leadership Development Committee member, recognized the 36 Fillmore County businesses who had helped sponsor lunches and snacks during the leadership sessions as well as the graduation lunch. Even more businesses and organizations shared information about their entities throughout the year as the Leadership class traveled from place to place learning about the various aspects of Fillmore County.

Patt Lentfer, Director of the Fillmore County Development Corporation, thanked the Leadership Development Committee members for setting up each of the leadership sessions throughout the year. Committee members are: Jean Engle, Jodi Kleinschmidt, Lynn Mussman, Amy Nelson, Jana Schelkopf, Gerald Slezak, Ronda Stokebrand, Kyle Svec, Karrie Waldron and Tyler Williams.

The Fillmore County Odegeo Leadership project is a countywide leadership program designed to identify, educate and develop leaders within Fillmore County. The class meets nine times a year to develop an awareness of the Fillmore County community by examining the major systems that contribute to patterns of life in the area. Persons interested in learning more about the Fillmore County Odegeo Leadership project should contact the Fillmore County Development Corporation at 759-4910, e-mail fillcodevco@windstream.net or go to www.fillmorecountydevelopment.org

Keno Returns to Exeter

 

 Rhonda Walford, left, takes numbers for Keno from R.W. Bruce while Shanna Thayer (middle) stands by to answer Walford's questions.

Keno returned to Exeter Wednesday evening June 8^th, at John E’s Bar and Grill downtown.

Administered by the Village of Exeter through Zeilinger’s Keno John E’s has already paid an $1800.00 winner according to bar co-owner John Graham.

During the Exeter Village Board meeting held in May, the board approved Resolution 11-4, which granted permission for John E’s to host Keno. The board reviewed the resolution and passed it unanimously noting that in the past Keno has raised over $100,000 in funds for the community.

The Exeter Village board reviewed Ordinance #377 which was passed December 3, 1991 and amended December 10, 1991 in a special meeting. Once amended the ordinance allowed for spouses of Village Board members and the Village Clerk to play Keno but restricted the Board Members and the clerk as well as on-duty employees at the bar from playing.

The Board decided to keep the ordinance as it was, maintaining a strict policy of playing. Graham was a little concerned with the restraints of the original ordinance but found the amendment workable.“We are excited to bring Las Vegas Style Keno Gambling to Exeter. We hope the Keno to bring additional revenue to the Village of Exeter. We are not a satellite of the Denton Daily Double but instead we have our own computer draw,” said Graham.

John E’s plans to hire an additional employee on weekends to help with the additional duties that the new gaming station requires but sees that as a boost to the community as well.

Exeter Village Board Chairman Alan Michl sees the return of Keno as a “win-win for Exeter, really a no-brainer. In the past Keno funds paid for the chasis of our attack truck for the fire department along with the new ballfield lights and part of the baseball fence.”

Currently the scheduled hours for Keno at John E’s will be Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday’s from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Other venues in the area also offer Keno including Milligan, Geneva and Waco.

Exeter Public Library Summer Reading Program

 Sue DeJonge shows the participants at the Exeter Public Library Summer Reading Program the shell necklace she purchased in Israel on her trip. 

 

The Exeter Public Library Summer Reading Program participants enjoy listening to stories from around the world.

 

Exeter Public Library has begun their summer reading program this year with the theme of  "One World, Many Stories."

 

The library solicited coins and dolls from all over the world for the participants which are now on display.  Books were also chosen to reflect the theme.  Kindergarten and first graders enjoyed their first session reading stories and making their own travel suitcase. 

 

During the month-long program the participants will be able to fill out travel vouchers for each book they read and turn them into the library for a prize drawing.

 

During the Monday session, second and third graders were able to hear a presentation from Exeter resident Sue DeJonge who traveled to Israel this year.  DeJonge shared her many experiences in the Holy Land, describing her ride on a camel and how the camel is suited to the desert.

 

DeJonge also shared with the participants about swimming in the Dead Sea and eating fish from the Sea of Galilee. She showed them pictures and some of the items that she purchased and collected on her trip.  The program continues throughout the month of June with more books to read and crafts to do.  Contact the Exeter Public Library to enroll or for more information.

 

SLIDESHOW ON SIDEBAR

Exeter Cub Scouts Participate in Day Camp

Exeter Scouts gather for a photo in one of the rooms at the Wessels Living History Farm. They are picture from the left, Jackson Beethe, Joey Bartu (volunteer from Boy Scout Troop 270), Ben Bartu, Alec Schlueter, and Mikey Bartu. Peytan Brandt is not pictured

 

Cub Scouts from all over enjoyed a day at Wessels Living History Farm near York on Saturday at the Prairie Winds District "Down at the Farm" day camp.

 

Scouts from York, Lincoln, Fairbury, Exeter, and Milligan enjoyed earning four different beltloops, which are not rank specific, throughout the day .

 

In the morning the scouts worked on the archery beltloop, learning about safety when using a bow and arrow at a range set up on the Wessels campus.  The boys also earned their map and compass belt loop.

 

During the map and compass session taught by Jason Amick, Cubmaster of Pack 173 in York, the scouts learned about directions and how to read a map.  They drew a map of their own neighborhood complete with a key.

 

After enjoying their sack lunches in the barn, the scouts explored the farm some more and headed to afternoon sessions which included shooting at a BB gun range, playing soccer, learning about dogs and playing the games of the 1920's.

 

One part of the day was learning about dog safety from Wessels Living History Farm Director Dale Clark. Clark brought his dog, Sailor, to teach the scouts the correct way to approach and pet a dog.  He also encouraged them to ask the owner of a dog before petting a dog and explained the importance of not distracting working dogs.

 

Clark shared some games of the past with the scouts teaching them to play a game of "steal the bacon" and showing them the toys of the past and letting them have some playtime with the toys of the grandparents and great-grandparents such as old scooters, tin can stilts, and metal hoops and sticks.

 

The Prairie Winds District encompasses nine counties in Nebraska as part of the Cornhusker Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

 Exeter Cub Scouts in Pack 218 learned about how a compass works at the Down at the Farm Daycamp at Wessels Living History Farm near York.  From the left Mikey Bartu, Alec Schlueter and Jackson Beethe examine a compass.

From the left Boy Scout Joey Bartu helps Jackson Beethe on the archery range while Dean Bartu helps Peytan Brandt.

Doctorate Earned

Derek Ryan Miller received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Des Moines
University in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the one-hundred and
 eleventh Annual Commencement Ceremony.  It was held on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
Derek is the son of Bill and Shari Miller of Clay Center.  His grandparents are Roger
and Suzanne Johnson of Exeter and Wilma and the late Donald J. Miller of Geneva, NE.
Derek will be doing his residency in St. Louis, MO for the next three years.

Exeter American Legion Post 218 Members Honored for 65 years of Membership

Ted Larsen

Del Jensen

Alva Smith

Richard Manning

 

 

Exeter Post 218 American Legion recently honored five of its members for 65 years of membership with the American Legion. All of these men served in World War II in a variety of locations. The men honored are Richard Manning, Ted Larsen, Alva Smith, Del Jensen and Frank Tauriella (not pictured).