Exeter Days is Here

 Join us starting this evening for Exeter Days.

Exeter-Milligan Class of 2016

 

(L-R): Brayden Olsen, Spencer Papik, Sam Zeleny, Jack Dinneen, and Elliot Erdkamp hosted the Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet while celebrating their 10 year runion.

What's New on the Library Shelves?

 Check out these new books at the Exeter Public Library.

The Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne

Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. In the best way. With Emma and her 3-year old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, the family business, and a chance to fix the past. What she doesn’t have time for is a romantic relationship. And even if she did, Andrew Morgan is the last person she’d choose. Not only is he an arrogant and reclusive writer, but he’s a single dad with two young kids. She’s already been there, done that. Still as an irresistible flirtation builds between them, he becomes her unexpected confidante on the distance Rosie can’t seem to overcome with Emma, a secret she can’t quite unravel…

Emma isn’t proud of her past. But she’s pulled herself up by the bootstraps, caring for her own daughter, and protecting her mom at all costs. Just as she always has. She never told Rosie what she saw all those years ago and she never will. But some secrets refuse to stay buried, and sometimes the truth is more shocking than fiction. Rosie and Emma will have to navigate an unimaginable path forward. Together.

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

Jane Trevally is walking her dogs on her country estate when a small white terrier appears, alone and with no sign of the teenaged girl he’d been staying with nearby. When the teenager is reported missing, Jane offers to return the dog to his registered owner, hours away in London. Arriving at a run-down house called Thornwood in the deepest backwaters of Hampstead, she is immediately on alert—because Jane has a dark history with this house.

The man who answers the door is not the man that Jane remembers from her past. He is cagey, and claims to know nothing about the missing teenage girl. Then, through the window of the house, Jane catches a glimpse of a haunted-looking woman.

Conjuring her memories from twenty-five years ago, Jane knows this unsettling house holds the key—to the missing teenager, to her own traumatic story, and to the dark secrets of the past.

Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore

It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.

Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.

As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.

A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one.

Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next—in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak—exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather.

Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, the dawn of midlife, and a group of old friends finally growing up despite all their best efforts to the contrary.

Land by Maggie O'Farrell

On a windswept peninsula stretching out into the Atlantic, Tomás and his reluctant son, Liam, are working for the great Ordnance Survey project to map the whole of Ireland. The year is 1865, and in a country not long since ravaged and emptied by the Great Hunger, the task is not an easy one. Tomás, however, is determined that his maps will be a record of the disaster.

The British soldiers in charge are due to arrive any day, expecting the work to be completed, but Tomás is unexpectedly sent off course by an unsettling encounter in a copse. His life, and the lives of those of his family, will never be the same again. Liam is terrified by the sudden change in his taciturn father. What was it that caused such cracks to open in Tomás, and how is Liam, aged only ten, going to finish the mapping and get them both home?

Land is a novel about separation and reunion, tragedy and recovery, colonization and rebellion. It is a story of buried treasure, overlapping lives, ancient woodland, persistent ghosts, a particularly loyal dog, and how, when it comes to both land and history, nothing ever goes away. As spellbinding and varied as the landscape that inspired it, Land is, above all, a story of survival, for our times and for all time.

An Inconvenient Widow by Lois Romano

Mary Lincoln was at the center of politics at a time when society’s expectations for women were rigid and circumscribed. The product of Southern aristocracy, she grew up among an influential clan of politicians and elites who founded Lexington, Kentucky. Mary’s early exposure to the male-dominated world of politics instilled in her a keen political acumen and a fierce ambition. Proclaiming as a child that she was destined to become the wife of a president, she played a crucial role in boosting her husband to greatness.

But her hopes for a triumphant experience at the pinnacle of power were lost to the Civil War and unfathomable family tragedies. Still, Mary persevered. She steadfastly supported the Union war effort, visited encampments, tended to wounded soldiers, and generously donated money and gifts to refugees from slavery. She was an unconventional, larger-than-life character who dressed too ostentatiously, grieved too publicly, suffered a shopping addiction, and seemed unable or unwilling to corral her emotions, her temper, and her opinions. She made enemies—influential men who wrote her story for her, often unfairly. After Lincoln was assassinated, she was all but abandoned by the nation he had given his life to defend and preserve.

Exeter Days 2026 Flyer

 

Exeter-Milligan Class of 2006

 

(L-R): Jared Tomsen, Brian Nadherny, Taylor (Emshoff) Kahlandt, Ashley (Kassik) Havel, Rachel (Rischling) Johnson, Talisa (Krejci) Brown, Kelly (Sladek) Rischling, and Kellen Jorgensen were in attendance at the Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Alumni Banquet to celebrate their 20th reunion.

What's New on the Library Shelves?

 Check out these new books at the Exeter Public Library.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

When Daphne Fuller and her husband Jonathan visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they notice an older, white-haired gentleman following them. The man turns out to be Eddie Triplett, her former stepfather, who had been married to her mother for a little more than year when Daphne was nine. Now fifty-three, Daphne hasn’t seen Eddie for many years, not since the fateful event that changed the direction of both their lives. Meeting again, time falls away; while their relationship was brief, it had a profound impact on them both, and now that they are reunited, they have no intention of ever being separated again.

Whistler is a story about two adults looking back over the choices they made, and the choices that were made for them. It’s a story about bravery, memory, the often small yet consequential moments that define our lives, and the endless stream of loss that in time comes for us all. Beautiful in its simplicity, it is ultimately about how love endures, and how the feeling of being known by one other person, even for a short period of time, can change everything.

Rainy Day Meet Cute by Debbie Macomber

A 2-in-1 novel; Love 'N' Marriage: A young woman discovers that sometimes love’s right there in front of you in this workplace romance.

As Stephanie Coulter discovers, sometimes you find it in the most ordinary places―and what could be more ordinary than the office? Stephanie, who works as an assistant at Lockwood Industries in Minneapolis, is temporarily assigned to the boss―Jonas Lockwood himself. Jonas lives up (or down!) to his reputation as a tyrant, dictator and grouch. But Stephanie’s colleagues, romance readers all, decide that he’s really the classic lonely hero. What he needs, they say, is Love ’n’ Marriage. And the woman they have in mind for him is…Stephanie.

Jury of His Peers: Two childhood rivals reconnect during jury duty—and are forced to navigate their complex feelings for one another.

Caroline Lomax is eager to exercise her civic duty and report for jury duty. However, when she sees a familiar face on her first day, she is near certain that she has come face to face with Ted Thomasson, the thorn in her side throughout high school—and the last person she’d want as a fellow juror.

Ted still seems to relish in making Caroline squirm, but he shocks Caroline when he declares that he’s always harbored feelings for her. Just as she attempts to make sense of it all, they’re both selected for the same case . . . and as things intensify in and out of the courtroom, it becomes clear that Caroline has an enormous decision to make.

Critical Flow by Michael Frederick

Critical Flow’ follows Rachel Martinez, a seasoned night-shift nurse at Mercy Heights Medical Center, whose instincts are tested when a patient dies unexpectedly just days after surgery. As a series of unexplained deaths emerges, Rachel suspects that something more than mere chance or human error is at play. Her concerns deepen when irregularities in medical devices suggest deliberate sabotage. Miles is a Cybersecurity forensic investigator. Together, Rachel and Miles uncover a complex web of tampering, conflicting interests, and hidden threats that extend beyond the hospital walls. The stakes rise as they discover that AI diagnostic technology, designed to prevent misdiagnoses, has become a target for those with motives far from transparent. As the investigation progresses, the duo faces high-pressure situations, personal risks, and a shadowy network of actors determined to manipulate life-saving systems. From tracing malicious code to confronting insiders and navigating legal and ethical challenges, Rachel and Miles race against time to protect patients and restore trust in the hospital. ‘Critical Flow’ is a tense and convincing story of courage, intelligence, and resilience, examining the vulnerabilities of modern healthcare while highlighting the dedication and determination of those who safeguard it.

The Turing Protocol by Nick Croydon

During the darkest days of World War II, legendary codebreaker Alan Turing creates Nautilus—a secret machine capable of sending messages backwards through time. One message helps secure victory on D-Day. But Turing quickly discovers a terrifying truth: history is fragile. Every change creates consequences. Every warning rewrites the future. Knowing Nautilus could become the most dangerous weapon ever invented, Turing hides it from the world and entrusts its secret to the mother of his hidden child. For generations, the burden passes from one heir to the next. Across decades of war, espionage, betrayal, and impossible moral choices, the Turing family must decide when—and whether—to use the machine's extraordinary power. A single message could save millions of lives. A single mistake could unleash catastrophe. As powerful forces close in and the battle for Nautilus intensifies, one question becomes impossible to ignore: If you had the power to change history, would you dare use it? 

The Rainy Day Book by Air Fairy Press

The Rainy Day Book is a cozy, comforting guide to romanticizing quiet moments, embracing slow living, and finding beauty in ordinary days. Perfect for readers who love rainy day aesthetics, cozy evenings, bookstores, tea rituals, candlelight, journaling, and gentle self-care, this atmospheric book invites you to turn gloomy weather into something magical.

Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days by Blair LM Kelley

For more than 150 years, Black communities have gathered to honor freedom, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for true liberation. While Juneteenth has recently gained wider recognition, it was one of many Emancipation Day traditions celebrated across the United States. These observances were spaces of joy, remembrance, and resistance—even as the fight for full freedom was unfinished. This volume brings together stirring essays and striking images from Juneteenth and beyond, offering a sweeping portrait of how Black people have created and sustained rituals of remembrance, a testament to the generations who, through celebration and storytelling, demanded that their contributions to the making of America be fully recognized.

Exeter High School Class of 1986, 1996, 2001 and EMHS Class of 2011

 

(L-R): Becky (Harre) Erdkamp representing the Exeter High School Class of 1986; Adam Erdkamp representing the Exeter High School Class of 1996; Mitch Becker representing the Exeter High SchoolClass of 2001; Caroline Veskrna representing the Exeter-Milligan Class of 2001.

EMF Junior Runs 26.4 Miles in Relay for America

Sometimes making a difference starts with putting one foot in front of the other. For local student Titus Petersen, participating in Relay for America was more than a run, it was an opportunity to support a cause, challenge himself, and inspire others along the way.

Photo Credit:
Mike Wainwright Photography

“When I first saw promotions and videos for Relay for America I knew I wanted to be part of the movement. I was inspired by the crew members' initiative to run to unite America and honor our veterans,” explained Titus Petersen. “I wanted to show that there is still a love for our country and represent Nebraska in the segments that I ran in Kansas.” Petersen, an upcoming junior at EMF High School, traveled to Belleville, Kansas to join Relay for America, a 3,000 mile relay from coast to coast, carrying the American flag.

For Petersen, the experience exceeded every expectation. “It was the best experience I’ve ever had on a run,” he said. “I made so many memories that will never be forgotten.”

From the moment he arrived, Petersen said he was welcomed by crew members who made safety a priority while creating an encouraging atmosphere for every participant. Along the way, he met runners from across the country, each with their own story and reason for taking part in the relay. “I love talking to people while I run, and during the two segments I ran, I met a man from Waco, Texas, who drove all the way to Kansas just to run for America. I also met amazing people from all over Kansas and a woman from Mississippi who was celebrating her 40th birthday. She flew into Kansas City and drove three hours just to run one segment.”

Meeting runners from across the United States left a lasting impression on Petersen.

“Running these segments, I really saw how dedicated and loving the running community is and that we are proud to be Americans,” he said.

Although the experience was rewarding, it also pushed Petersen beyond what he thought was possible. Battling the rolling hills of Kansas and logging more miles than he had ever run before tested both his body and his determination.

“My legs were in pain after 16 mites, but the joy in the people around me kept me going,” Petersen said. “The other runners encouraged me to keep going, and eventually they inspired me to run a full marathon. I ended up running 26.4 miles, and I couldn’t have been more thankful for those runners, and most importantly, my mom, Allison Petersen, who cheered me on and fueled me through the run.”

Though the people around him offered great motivation, Petersen stated his greatest motivation was much closer to home.

“Before I started my run, I knew in my heart that I was running for my grandpa, Glen, who served in the National Guard and passed away when I was a little boy,” Petersen explained. “I loved having the opportunity to run for our country and help unite America. That’s what kept me going.” 

Beyond the miles he logged, Petersen hopes his participation inspired others to appreciate the importance of unity.

"I wanted to show that I love this country and that I want to see America come together," he stated. "I had many people reach out on social media and tell me they were in tears after seeing what we were doing and how grateful they were. I saw firsthand the joy and unity this relay created through the friendships I made, and I can only imagine the countless other stories happening along the entire 3,000-mile journey."

Looking back, Petersen says the relay taught him that even small actions can have a lasting impact. "In the end, I learned that one small action can impact countless lives and spark a movement across America," he mentioned. "That small action could be running one mile, honking to cheer on the runners, or, for me, proudly running 26.4 miles for this country."

Among his favorite memories was being featured on Relay for America's Instagram page, but Petersen says the friendships he formed mean even more.

"The people I met will never be forgotten," he said. "Thank you to all the crew members, runners, and followers of Relay for America. I hope to see this relay continue to grow as the crew works to make it an annual event."

EMF Tee-Ball Team 3

 Photo Courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

EMF T-ball team Coached by Meredith Erdkamp, Matt Nicholas and Karli Shalon pictured from the left (front row): Tate Kahlandt, Bennet Burk, Xander Farnsworth, Jensen Grey, Jay Erdkamp and Garrett Zimmer; (second row) Coach Matt Nicholas, Harper Hankins, Huntley Kotas, Winslow Pella, Layne Nicholas, Wyatt Becker, Natalie Pendleton, Oliver Colgrove, Coach Karli Shalon and Coach Meredith Erdkamp.

Exeter Days 2026