New Librarian in Exeter

Exeter Librarian Lynette Trauger

Drop in to the Exeter Public Library and meet the newly hired librarian, Lynette Trauger.

Trauger has served on the library board for the past three and a half years in Exeter but she has “always been a library user.”

Although she has only lived in Exeter for about five years, her husband, Charles Trauger is an Exeter native.  They lived in Omaha for a number of years but decided to return to his home a few years ago.

She isn’t new to the librarian scene as she volunteered in the school libraries of her children.  She hopes to share some of her experiences there and adapt them for the Exeter library.

Already she is making an impact in the downtown area by keeping a chalkboard sign updated with new library hours and funny quips on main street to draw the community into the library.  Other changes include a noticeable straightening up and rearranging of books and furniture in the library.

Trauger is also working up bringing the library up to date and renewing the library accreditation.

After the departure of the last librarian Trauger was concerned, “I didn’t want it to close.  I didn’t want it to not be accredited and fall through the crack and then our community would be without a library.”

Her plans include offering a story hour for young children and also a family night.  The library board is eager to complete a renovation of Storybook Park by the spring.  Trauger hopes to add a small free library in the park someday.

“I want to start community programs for the library to become what the community wants it to become. Libraries are changing.  They are becoming a community resource instead of just about books anymore,” Trauger added.

Trauger has created a survey about the library and is looking for feedback from the community.  The survey is located in various locations around town.  “Being newer to the community it’s scary.  You don’t know how that’s all going to work yet. I still don’t know a lot of people.”

The biggest challenge at the library, according to Trauger, “is keeping a variety here for everyone.  If the regular users can’t find new items to check out they won’t come.  I want to keep the curiosity going along with a good variety but the challenge is to do it on a limited budget.”

Since she has been cleaning and purging old books and media, Trauger will be having a big sale of items during the Exeter Avenue Holiday Sampler on October 6.

Trauger enjoys reading a variety of books in her spare time and includes painting, drawing and remodeling houses in her list of hobbies.   And while she doesn’t have a favorite author she was very firm about liking to read fiction, “Because reality is sometimes no fun.”

When she is not at the library you may find her enjoying time with her family or driving a grain truck and helping with the family farm just outside of Exeter.

Exeter-Milligan/Friend Chains O/HP Storm Dogs

The Bobcats were in Friend, Friday night for the Friend High School Homecoming. 

The Osceola/High Plains Stormdogs received first and started plowing downfield and found the end zone but the play was called back for holding on the Stormdogs.  The ball turned over on downs and it was almost all Bobcats after that. 

On first down Edwen Baptista slipped through the O/HP defense and off he went for six points.  Baptista took the ball in for two more but it was called back for a blindside block and the replay was stopped short.  Score was 6 to 0 with 7:04 left in the first quarter.

Stormdogs controlled the ball for most of the quarter to fight down the field to put six up on the board with 1:28 left in the first quarter.

Baptista powered through for another 6 and Spencer Pribyl fired the 2 point pass to Max Zeleny bringing the score to 14 to 6 at the start of the second quarter.

Colton Bossaller caught a beautiful Pribyl pass and sailed into the end zone but it was called back for holding on the Bobcats (you might see a theme of yellow flags here). After backing up Baptista had a run called back for holding.  Zeleny took the option into the end zone but the 2 point pass attempt was no good. 6:52 left in half and the Bobcats were up 20 to 6.

OHP thought they would turn the ball around and march down field but the Bobcats were tougher stopping the Stormdogs on 4th and 1 just a few yards from the goal line.  Bobcats took over on downs.

From dangerous territory Baptista made a huge run out but it was called back for holding.  Then Pribyl's pass into Stormdog territory was intercepted by the Stormdogs but it was not to be as they lost the ball as they were called for targeting. Half time score stayed at 20-6

The Bobcats received the ball to start the second half and Baptista again wrestled his way down the field over a few plays and found the end zone.  Pribyl shot the ball to Zeleny for the extra two bringing the score to 28 - 6 with 9:48 left in the third quarter.

The Stormdogs were on the receiving end of a few tough penalities calls including a holding call the Bobcats declined and a personal foul call that benefited the Bobcats on third down.

It was back to the end zone for the Bobcats with Pribyl keeping the ball for six and then for two.  With 6:32 left in the third the score was 34 to 6.

With about two minutes left in the quarter Trever Zelenka intercepted a OHP pass and brough the ball up to the 15 yard line.  Score was 34 to 6 at the end of the third quarter.

Mitchell Manning was in for 6 to start the fourth quarter and Zeleny caught a Pribyl pass to tack on 2 more. Score was 44 to 6 with a running clock.

 

With 3:31 left in the game the Bobcats again stopped the Stormdogs and took take over on downs.
As the clock ran down the score went up again.  Casey Jindra found a hole and was untouched down the field.  He tacked on six bringing the final score 50 to 6.

Obituary for Robert W. Dumpert

Robert William Dumpert was born to William and Dorothy (Leif) Dumpert on September 26, 1935 on the family farm near Exeter, Nebraska. He passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 24 days. He was the second born of six children in the family.

Robert, known as Bob, grew up in Exeter. He attended St. Stephen Catholic School up through 8th grade and then went onto Exeter High School graduating with the class of 1953. He worked as a mechanic until joining the Air Force in June of 1958. From there, he was deployed for 18 months to Chaumont, France. Once returning home, he joined the Air National Guard and remained involved with them for 32 years. He received several honors and medals during his employment with the Air National Guard. He was proud to have achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Bob retired in 1990 at the age of 55.

Bob met the love of his life, Jane Welch, in 1955 while at Pla Mor ballroom in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since that evening spent full of dancing, they have been inseparable. Bob and Jane were joined in marriage on December 14, 1957 in Seward, Nebraska and to them 2 children were born, Cary James and Lori Ann. In December 2017 they celebrated 60 years of marriage surrounded by family and friends.

Bob was a dedicated member of St. Stephen Catholic Church where he served as a board member. Bob was also a member of the Exeter American Legion. He contributed numerous hours of handy man work around the rectory, church, and American Legion. He took pride in his Village and was always giving a helping hand to the elderly around town.

In Bob’s downtime, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and boating, but his main passion and love were his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He could always be found at a track, whether it was for a track & field meet or a racetrack. Bob restored a Farmall H tractor and enjoyed showing it off in local parades while pulling a John Deere tractor behind. He loved to make people laugh. Bob enjoyed his sweets, jams, cookies & pies. He had great patience. His wife called him the jack-of-all- trades and he never missed an event of his Grandchildren. He was their #1 fan.

Bob is survived by wife Jane; children Cary (Debbie) Dumpert of York, Lori (Rusty) Ruhl of Exeter; grandchildren, Marcus (Angela) Ruhl of Geneva, MiKayla Ruhl (Fiance Bennet Weise) of Fairbury, Kyle (Nikki) Dumpert of Utica, Cory Dumpert (Lindsay Roan) of Exeter; Great-Grandchildren Bryton Ruhl, Jairyn Weise, Eli Dumpert and Lynly Leif; siblings Jean Rich of Bradshaw, Tom (Phyllis) Dumpert of Lincoln, Lois Thomsen of Exeter, Carol (Gary) Aden of Surprise, Arizona, Gary (Sherry) Dumpert of Exeter; and Sister-In-Law Pixie Welch of Seward; and a handful of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy & William Dumpert; brothers-in-law Dean Rich & Warren Thomsen; and Uncle Bud Leif.
　
Bob’s quotes “If you don’t have a plan, plan to fail.” “Trained mind & skilled hands.”

A Funeral Mass for Bob was held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter. Monsignor Daniel Seiker and Father Kenneth Borowiak officiated the service. Agnes Anderson was the organist and Greg Rehm was the Cantor, and they led the congregation in the singing of “Be Not Afraid,” “On Eagles’ Wings,” “I Am the Bread Of Life,” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Pallbearers for the service included Cory Dumpert, Kyle Dumpert, Marcus Ruhl, Bennet Weise, Tom Dumpert, and Gary Dumpert. Honorary Pallbearers included MiKayla Ruhl, Angela Ruhl, Nikki Dumpert, Eli Dumpert, Lynly Leif, Bryton Ruhl, Jairyn Wiese, and Lindsey Roan.

Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Exeter American Legion William Sullivan Post 218 and the Offutt FSS Honor Guard.

Farmer Funeral Home of Exeter was in care of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen Catholic Church or Exeter American Legion.

Exeter-Milligan Update: FCCLA Members Challenged

L-R:  Jaiden Papik, Josie Kresak, Kate Jansky and Caitlin Murphy

FCCLA Members Challenged to iBuckleUp at Fall Leadership Workshop

By Mary Lou Vossler, Exeter-Milligan FACS Instructor and FCCLA Advisor

Four students from Exeter-Milligan recently attended the Nebraska Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Fall Leadership Workshop.  This annual event was held this year at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney, Nebraska and featured over 530 students from all corners of Nebraska. EMHS FCCLA officers attending were Chapter President- Jaiden Papik, Chapter Treasurer- Josie Kresak, Chapter Vice-President- Kate Jansky and District #4 President- Caitlin Murphy.  Unable to attend was Chapter Historian- Macy Due. 

All students at this event heard from members of the State Officer Team, the State Peer Officer Team, and other chapter leaders about state and national programs, leadership development, and chapter management.  

This year, Nebraska FCCLA has challenged all 100 Chapters to complete a “Battle of the Belts” community service project. We want to make Nebraska a safer place for all of our members, advisers, families and communities by promoting seat belt use and safe driving habits, such as avoiding driving under the influence. Nebraska FCCLA is part of the Drive Smart Nebraska Coalition, which includes various agencies and organizations that provide resources and speakers to support the conference.  These include: CHI Health, Nebraska MADD, Project Extra Mile, Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office, National Safety Council – Greater Omaha Chapter and Teens in the Driver’s Seat. 

FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.  Nebraska FCCLA has more than 3,000 members in 100 chapters across the state.  For more information about FCCLA, please visit www.nebraskafccla.org. 

Death Notice: Robert W. Dumpert

A Funeral Mass for Bob will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Msgr. Daniel Seiker and Father Kenneth Borowiak will officiate the service.

Burial with Military Rites will take place in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Mass.

Visitation will take place on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with family present from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter.

A Rosary will be prayed on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Exeter or the Exeter American Legion.

Exeter-Milligan Friend Coop Featured in Commercial

Camera crews mingled with the crowd at the first ever EMF Bobcats pep rally on Friday, September 14^th in Friend.

Several of the senior boys spoke at the EMF Bobcat pep rally.  Slater Wells took his turn at the microphone.  Behind him from the left are from the left Dawson Logan, Nick Hayek, Spencer Pribyl, Wells, Colton Bossaller, Max Zeleny (not visible), Trever Zelenak (behind), Edwen Baptista, Johnny Babula and Mitchell Manning.

Camera crews filmed every aspect of preparation for a football game including Assistant Coach Clayton Moore handing a sack lunch to Kole Svec.

The camera crews filmed a shot with the combined group of the Friend dance team and the Exeter-Milligan cheerleaders.

If you were in Exeter, Milligan or Friend this past week you might have seen an unusual sight, camera crews and unusual vehicles downtown and in the schools.

No, there is not a new reality show being filled in small town Nebraska.  Instead, Farmers Mutual Insurance Company has decided to feature the three communities combining to make one football team.

They recognized the challenges of bringing two schools together, especially former rivals on the football field. Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield commented, “It’s all about brining communities together and how sports can do that.”

It hasn’t exactly been a cake walk to get all of the shots they were hoping for but, according to Sheffield, it has given Exeter-Milligan students a glimpse at the glamour of TV.

“It’s been awesome.  We did have one girl who thought it would be fun to be in a reality show until she saw how much work went into just the commercial.”

The camera crew has filmed in each of the communities highlighting all of the aspects of them coming together and making everything happen for the team.  From making the lunches before each game to loading equipment on the buses the camera crew has been there.

On Friday afternoon all of the Exeter-Milligan 7^th – 12^th graders along with the teachers came over to Friend and had a pep rally for the upcoming Friday night game against Thayer Central.  The film crew didn’t direct the pep rally but filmed every aspect of it, from all of the students entering the gym, the band playing and the dance team and cheerleaders performing, down to the football players loading on the bus and leaving the school.

The Exeter-Milligan and Friend bands played together, the dance team performed, the cheerleaders pumped up the crowd and the football team spoke.  There was a rock, paper, scissors contest with each student 7^th-12^th participating with the senior class winning. 

Slater Wells, a senior on the football team, summed up their experience so far, “We began this journey together in eighth grade and it’s worked out pretty well.  We’re pretty good together.”

Friend Superintendent Kraus was very positive about the experience, “We know we need to give our kids the best and to give them the opportunities to succeed.  We need to pool our resources to make it the very best for our students.”

The commercial, which was filmed by an ad agency out of Omaha, will be broadcast during the televised NSAA championships on NET during the 2018-1029 season.