Volkmers Host Annual Pumpkin Painting

Hundreds flocked to the edge of Exeter for Bill and Terri Volkmer’s annual pumpkin painting this last weekend making it a challenge to find an empty spot at a table.

The Volkmer’s have hosted the annual event for ten years starting out small with just five painters. Each year has grown exponentially with this year being the biggest.

Preparation for the event starts at least three weeks before the event. Pumpkins, paints, and brushes  are just a small part of the set up.

“Halloween has always been my favorite holiday,” said Terri “Every year Bill says this is the last year but I always overhear him tell a little painter ‘we’ll see you next year.’”

The week of the big event the Volkmer’s transform their shed with low tables just right for kids to sit and paint for an hour or two.  The shed is all decked out in a Halloween theme with witches, ghosts and spiders to help inspire the painters to create all kinds of creatures on their pumpkins.

The Volkmers supply the paints, lots of decorations and a clear coat for the pumpkins for a minimal price.  Over 170 guests registered to paint this year, with many bringing their parents and other family members who didn't paint. The Saturday event had families coming and going all morning long.

Along with the Volkmers, there were lots of volunteers to help the painters.  Volunteers refilled the water bowls on the tables, helped dry the pumpkins and manned the hot glue decoration station.  They also served up bags of popcorn to the kids and parents while they waited for their pumpkins to dry after a clear coat.

Not only do the kids have fun painting they love the time while their pumpkins dry.  Even though the wind was a little brisk Saturday morning the kids enjoy playing outside and exploring all of the Volkmer’s decorations.

“We had lots of awesome surprises this year – NTV  was there doing a special episode of “One Tank Trips” and we had five special photographers here as well.  It was such a great day,” explained Terri, “Next year I want to have more activities for the kids to do while they wait for their pumpkins to dry.”  Yes, already planning for next year.

Exter-Milligan Update: National Anthem Performance

Thirty-two students, grades 1-6, sang the National Anthem at the Exeter-Milligan volleyball game on Tuesday, September 25.  Students practiced in school during their music classes and then rehearsed as a mass group prior to the game.  This is the fourth year the elementary students have performed at a volleyball game

Exeter-Milligan Participates in Denim Day

Many Exeter site staff members participated in Lee National Denim Day on Tuesday, October 9.  Each individual donated $5.00 in exchange for wearing jeans.  The proceeds this year will go to the American Cancer Society.  This is the tenth year the staff has participated to raise money for breast cancer research.  Participating in Exeter were:  Row 1 (L-R) Lin Schlueter, Matt Nicholas, Brian Murphy, Jordan Marr; Row 2 (L-R) Angie Murphy, Jeretta Tauriella, Chelsea Quigley, Judy Votipka, Phyllis Severson, Sharon Lott, Judy Kassik, Marla Weber; Row 3 (L-R) Lorie Sliefert, Jackie Yound, Mary Lou Vossler, Rhoda Wahl, Darcy White, Anita Mueller.  Not pictured:  Kara Myers, Mary Kay Pribyl, Dixie Krejci, Sherry Dumpert and Rachel Haider

Several Milligan site staff members participated in Lee National Denim Day on Tuesday, October 9.  Each individual donated $5.00 in exchange for wearing jeans.  All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society this year.  Row 1 (L-R) Audrey Betka-Mager, Julia Polak, Laura Kroll; Row 2 (L-R) Casey Pohl, Shelli Mueller, Rachel Lucas, Beth Vavra; Row 3 (L-R) Bob Mahoney

Exeter-Milligan Update: One Act Play

Exeter-Milligan students, under the direction of Rachel Haider, are hard at work on the One Act Play The Empty Chair by Tim Kelly. Come out to the public performance and Dessert Luncheon co-sponsored with FCCLA members Sunday, Nov. 4^th at 2:30 pm in the Exeter site Gym. Cost is $6 and provides admission to the play and dessert afterwards. This is our public performance to gear up for our first competition on Nov. 14^th for the Crossroads Conference Meet.

Pictured from left to right: Toni Bossaller, Deidre Stevens, Liz Murphy, Meredith Emshoff, and Brooke Manning (cast members not pictured Megan Waldron, Hunter Stride, and Madeleine Ensrud)

Exeter-Milligan Update: American History

Mr. Brian Murphy’s classes at Exeter-Milligan have been busy this school year.  All the classes have spent time discussing the upcoming presidential election.  Also, technology has been incorporated into the curriculum.  Recently the Geography class partnered up and used Google Presentation to create presentations over the world’s climate zones.  Using Google Presentation allowed each student to work on the project at the same time and saved time.  American History created Podcasts over the late 1800s, incorporating images found on the Internet while voice recording their own narratives from information collected from the textbook and the web.  

Geography started the semester with a unit on Nebraska geography.  American History has discussed immigration and the late 1800s.  In the Post World War II History class, students have studied the 1950s American Culture, the early Cold War, and African decolonization.  The eighth grade class has started studying the American Revolution.

Pictured:  Jordyn Brandt, Amber Pribyl, and Madison Horne happily working on their Podcasts.