Lady Bobcats Advance to State Semifinals

 The Bobcat volleyball team swept Ansley-Litchfield and advance to the semifinals. The Bobcats will face Amherst on Friday, November 7 at 9am at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

EMF Clothing Drive Brings Community Together to Support Students in Need

 

The EMF school district is continuing to show its strong sense of community through an effort to help
students in need. On Sunday, November 2, the district hosted a Clothing Swap and Drive at the Friend library, led by school nurse Korin Arp, who saw a growing need for clothing and shoes among students.

“I was inspired to do the clothing drive after seeing that some students didn’t have what they needed,” Arp explained. “Whether it’s shoes that fit, warm coats for the winter, or everyday clothes, I wanted to find a way to help meet that need.”

The event encouraged community members to come together and donate gently used clothing items for children of all ages. Arp said she was thrilled with the level of participation and generosity shown by families, staff, and community members. 

“The participation from everyone has been awesome,” she said. “Everyone coming together to donate to kids in need is wonderful. It’s been heartwarming to see how much people care.”

Tables at the Friend site library were filled with shirts, pants, coats, and shoes. Families were welcome to browse through the donations and pick what they needed at no cost. The event aimed to make clothing accessible to all, ensuring that every student in the EMF community can stay comfortable and confident throughout the school year. 

After the event, any leftover items will be donated to the “Bobcat Boutique,” a resource available to students in the school district. The boutique provides clothing and other essentials to students in need throughout the year, including new students who may arrive with limited supplies.

“I think the clothing drive benefits our school community by providing a way that students can come with no questions asked and get clothing items or a coat if they are in need,” Arp said. “Hopefully no student has to go without a coat or warm clothes this winter.”

Arp emphasized that the drive would not have been possible without the generosity of the EMF community. “I’ve had so many people reach out wanting to help,” she said. “It really shows what kind of community we have - one that looks out for each other.”

As the temperatures begin to drop, Arp hopes the clothing drive and the continued support through the Bobcat Boutique will ensure that every student has what they need to feel comfortable and cared for this winter. “Hopefully all the clothing and coats find homes,” she said, “and we can give them to the children who can use them.”

EMF Bobcats Headed to State

 The EMF volleyball team defeated Sutton 3-2 on Saturday, November 1 and are headed to the state tournament in Lincoln. Photo courtesy of Leesa Bartu

Trunk or Treat 2025

 

Happy Halloween!

 

Bobcat VB Team Win Sub-Districts 3-2

The EMF volleyball team played a great sub-district game against Tri County on Tuesday, October 28 where they won 3-2. The Bobcats will play in the district championship on Saturday, November 1. 

 

Bobcats Lose First Round of Playoffs 60-14

 Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

EMF Girl's Golf Team Represents at State

Abby Klooz with her medal.

The EMF Girl's Golf team attended state in North Platte, Nebraska. Head Coach, Lori Klooz mentioned, "I am so proud of this team.  We only returned 3 of last years state qualifying team.  Two freshmen completed the roster and yet we came back in the second day of state to shoot a 393, our best team score of the season. I am especially proud of Abby. It is hard to repeat as a medalist and this year the scores were lower than last year.  She played really solid both days, fighting back after an injury."

Great job Bobcats! 

EMF VB Wins Conference

 Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

Obituary: Janice J. Miller

Janice Joy Miller was born on November 16, 1939, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Eugene "Snooks" and Lola (Ganow) Engle, the second of six children. She passed away peacefully at her home in Exeter on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast. cancer, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 28 days.

As a young girl, Janice loved going to the library, movies, swimming, and attending parades. When she was 10, the family moved from Grand Island to Exeter. Janice attended Exeter Public Schools and graduated in 1957. While in high school, she enjoyed countless movies and school dances with close friends June, Judy, Susan, and Donna. They became lifelong friends. Janice met John C. Miller when he joined Exeter Public Schools as a freshman. They dated throughout high school and were united in marriage on April 11th, 1959. John & Janice were blessed with 4 children: Pam, John R., Janet, and Cathie. 

John and Janice made their home in rural Exeter. Janice embraced life as a farm wife, always ensuring a hot meal was ready and provided transportation from field to field. She found joy in gardening, canning, freezing, sewing, baking, and welcoming family and friend into their home. Later, she worked as a substitute cook at Exeter Public Schools, where she would sneak her grandkids extra cookies. Speaking of cookies, she was known far and wide for her decorated sugar cookies and delicious chocolate chip cookies! Every wanted a "Grandma Cookie!" She was very proud to teach her grandkids and great-grandkids her special recipe that included 12 shakes of salt, with the extra special hip shakes.

Janice enjoyed playing bridge, tending to her flowers, family campouts, sewing masks during COVID, and creating personalized birthday and anniversary cards for her family. Her greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved reading and singing special songs with the little ones. As all the kids got older, she could always be found cheering them on at every activity, sometimes attending three to four events in a single day. Later, when she could not attend in person, she watched online. Janice was also an avid Husker fan; if the Huskers were playing, she was listening or watching, no matter the sport.

Janice was a member of the Exeter Methodist Community Church for more than 50 years. She served in numerous leadership and fundraising positions at church for many years.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John C. Miller, Exeter, NE; her children, Pam Northup (Tom), Grand Island, NE; John R Miller (Sheila), Exeter, NE; Janet Riepe (Doug), Spring Hill, KS; and Cathie Boyle (Bob), Crete, NE; 14 grandchildren: Janelle Williams (Clint), Dana Myers (Matt), Nick Nothrup (Amber), John D. Miller (Kilee), Chris Northup (Allyson), Jennifer Riepe, Jake Miller (Macy), Chelsea Thiem (Takota), MiKayla Jansen (Ben), Kirk Riepe (Kaylee), Riley Nichols (Amanda), Bridgette Nichols, Caitlynn Boyle, and Jayden Boyle; 22 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Sandy Bock (Larry), David City, NE and Glenda Cole (Dick), Columbus, NE; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Miller, Lealand, KS and Denise Engle, Victoria, TX; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Lola Engle; grandson, Evan Riepe; parents-in-law, John O. and Melba Miller; sister, Donna Repenn; brothers Jim and Fred Engle; brothers/sisters-in-law, Alan Miller, Don Bock, Sharon & Ken Harre, and Iola Engle; and a great friend/cousin Darlene Harders.