Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Yard of the Week presenter Heather Entingh, left, is pictured with Terry, center, and Pat Fletcher, who are seated on their back patio at 511 Cedar in Kimball. Snap dragons surround the house and yard, along with trees that bloom and have a perfumed aroma. Honeysuckle trees have replaced the messy Siberian Elm. Over 25 years ago, Star Linden trees were planted and they have matured after being faithfully watered. The Fletchers also garden and have reaped more than a gallon of strawberries, along with raspberries, beans and cucumbers. Many of...
What will they do next? At Banner County School, the entire elementary school achieved its Accelerated Reader goals last year and 60 students were able to celebrate their success at Frontier Trampoline Park. With the new school year opening Aug. 19, the bar is set high for the Wildcat kiddos to do it again. The students read and were tested on 5,772 books last year – that's right, 5,722 books – and many students excelled individually. The first-graders read the most books, 2,1...
Good morning! Here is hoping that you are doing well and that if you are harvesting, that it’s going even better! Today we are bringing the last schedule of happenings for July of 2024, and it seems crazy impossible. School will be starting in less than a month. In Banner County, the new academic year opens Monday, Aug. 19. Classes are planned for all day. So for today, July 25th, the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering will host Pulitzer Prize finalist speaker Gregg Jones at 1:30 p.m. His topic is “Most Honorable Son.” That eveni...
Hot Time, Summer in the City ... or around here anyway! One day last week I was watching temperatures and comparing those with family in Nevada and Oklahoma, and ours were higher for 3 or 4 days. Cooling off now in only 90s for the rest of the month, maybe. Harvest is well under way even with some recent rain and hopefully that will out run any hail we might be in for. The Farmers Market is still every Saturday at 18th Street Plaza from 8-11 a.m. and the folks in Morrill have theirs at the FOMO Park on the east side every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m....
Heather Entingh, right, presents Yard of the Week to Jack and Barbara Rahl at 20 Dowd Court. Jack and Barbara moved to Kimball from California seven years ago, and their big adjustment was figuring out the difference in the growing seasons. They have adjusted and managed to grow snap dragons, day lilies and naked ladies. Petunias, pinks and wildflowers adorn the sidewalk. They keep scissors close by and enjoy having the neighbor kids stop to get flowers for their mothers. Jack and Barbara...
Good morning! Hope you all got a bang out of this past week! I sure did, sometimes past 1 a.m. Love the holiday, but will admit that I am glad it is over. Now this coming weekend the big deal is Oregon Trail Days. But first, today, July 11th, there is a Zoo Camp for kids grades K-5th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and there is a Free family swim day in Morrill beginning at 1 p.m. Their pool is located at 126 Jirdon Ave. The movie “Cars” will show at the Midwest Theater at 1:30 p.m. as part of the summer series for kids and at 6 p.m. there will be C...
Matthew Brown, director of building and grounds for Kimball Public Schools, said he is pleased with the progress on the Mary Lynch Elementary School playground – where students have received some welcome additions. Construction was completed on June 22 for the new structures, and the kids could not be more excited. As noted by Kimball Public Schools Superintendent Trevor Anderson, "It is a much needed update for our students at Mary Lynch Elementary. We are happy to see the finished product a... Full story
Yard of the Week for the July 4 holiday goes to Mike and Jenifer Coleman at 5 Crestwood. The Colemans will celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary on July 4. They purchased their home five years ago and brightened up the yard with roses of all colors, adding two or three bushes every year along with red lilies, hosta, and cannas big leaves that bloom once a year when they mature. Pictured with Mike and Jenifer is Yard of the Week sponsor Heather Entingh.... Full story
Good morning and Happy 4th of July, 2024 to you all! A lot of fireworks are blowing up all around the area, and a few have already been here and gone. For example, the yearly Ice Cream Social and fireworks in La Grange was July 3rd, so sorry I missed that last week. However, if you have gone for the last 50 years like some of us, you just know these things. I really am sorry though. There also are two events that happen weekly in the valley, and I don’t always mention them, so here is a reminder. The Gering City Band plays at Legion Park at 7... Full story
Isaac Olsen of Harrisburg has been selected as a 2024 Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute delegate and will participate in NAYI from July 8-12 at University of Nebraska’s East Campus. NAYI brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors every year to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with ag leaders and explore career opportunities. “We were overwhelmed, but not surprised, by the record number of applications we received from students interested in attending NAYI,” NDA director Sherry Vinton said. “NAYI is an incredi... Full story
Good morning, I hope this finds you keeping cool! My, oh my, but has it ever been hot! A lot of hail and high winds in the valley, and our thoughts are with those folks with severe damage. The rain was greatly appreciated though, and we still need more. This last week of June we are finishing up VBS here at home and looking toward the 4th of July. For today, however, June 27th the Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff will have their Grab-n-Go Lunch available for you from noon to 2 p.m.; the Midwest Theater will play ‘The Little Mermaid’ at 1:...
Yellow is the dominant theme of the Morrison home at 510 Webster. The Morrisons have lived in the corner lot since 1995 and have continued to improve the lot with yellow iris, flowers baskets in front of the dining room windows, and front porch. Yellow lilac and orange tiger lilies accent the front yard. They continue to work on the yard and had to remove a 90 year-old Thornless Honey Locust. The Morrisons replanted the same variety of tree. The perfect front lawn also has Thornless Honey...
Good morning, here is hoping all of you dads had a Happy Father’s Day! We have had a little rain, downpours in a few places with a couple of cooler days this week, and we are thankful for that. Here in Harrisburg, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22, you are invited to participate in a Community Garage Sale at the Banner County Museum. Anyone is welcome to come sell their treasures. Please bring your own table (or tables) and lunch will be provided by the vendors. More information is available by calling Sharon Sandberg at 308-631-2424 o... Full story
The Crossman house at 713 S. Myrtle St. has seen a dramatic transition since the corner lot was purchased. When Royce and Shirley purchased the lot, there was a basement house there. Then they put up a modular house next to the basement house and finally built a bedroom on top of the basement house. The lot is large with many young and old trees. Not too many years ago, they toned down the size of the lawn by putting in tons of river rock that accent the beautiful green grass. They have a...
Nancy Olsen of Banner County's famous Lawnmower Ladies puts the pedal to the metal during this month's Banner County Historical Day parade. The annual event is a highlight of the big day of family fun in Harrisburg that features games, meals and other activities....
Good morning! Here are upcoming events bringing us through the middle of June, already! Swimming lessons are starting up now and soon all over the area and so are sessions of VBS. The Harrisburg Community Church will hold VBS beginning the 24th of this month. Several posters are planted around town and invitations are being sent out to those who were involved in Kids Club but everyone is welcome! Today, Thursday, June 13th, the group from Omaha, the Frontier Strings, will be performing a free concert in Centennial Park in Scottsbluff. This...
Jason Lockwood, center, received Yard of the Week for the first week of June. He has lived at 306 Myrtle for a short time but has made the lush grass come back. His house belonged to his grandfather, Paul Heidemann. Built in 1900 and later bricked, the planter boxes are Jason's favorite part outside of the house. He has planted roses in one side and perennials in the other side of the planter boxes. Perennials include creeping flocks and a small flower that looks like a cigar. Pictured with... Full story
Good morning! Great weather, a little rain and some very unwanted hail. Guess although summer is not officially here, it is here. To begin this week here is a reminder that the hiking path Saddle Rock Trail at the Scotts Bluff National Monument will be closed between sunrise and 10 a.m. on June 6th & 7th due to herbicide application in the area. Today, Thursday, June 6th, the 101 Dalmations will play at 1:30 p.m. at the Midwest Theater as part of the summer series children’s movie program. And at noon there will be a virtual training program t...
Pulling up the rear of the parade on Banner County Historical Day last Saturday is the hit of the parade, Banner County's famous Lawnmower Ladies. Linda Barret started the group more than 10 years ago to add a little spice to the parade. The group is open to anyone and everyone with a riding lawnmower and a Hawaiian shirt.... Full story
Loretta and Gary Copeland received the first Yard of the Week for the 2024 summer. Loretta will be the first one to tell you that her mother and late father, Roxie and Melvin Sims, should receive the credit for the outstanding yard and flowers at 500 S. Myrtle. Loretta's parents worked on the yard and accessories for the past 55 years, but her mother recently moved into Vista Villa. So in January, the Copelands moved next door to their new home. The yard has lots of beautiful green grass and...
Here is assuming you made it through Memorial Day, finishing out May and looking into the face of June, already! Beautiful weather here this week, feeling every bit like summer. This evening, May 30th the Western Nebraska Arts Center will host the opening shows of Ginny Butcher and Karen Henneck with the topic ‘ “Captivated by the Landscape” from 5-7 p.m. These ladies are from Wyoming and have works created with pastels, oils and gouache. This is Free and open to the public. On Friday, May 31st, this is the first day of a three day celeb...
Valentine Murdy and Hugo Rodriguez, both 16, have spent the last school year attending the rural high school and living in Banner County. Valentine is from the south of France, while Hugo is from Spain. Valentine, hailing from the south of France, was taken aback by the vastness and spaciousness of Banner County, a stark contrast to his home. His most significant adjustment was to the culture and the language. Initially, he struggled to string a sentence together, but now he's proud to say he's...
Good morning! After a couple of cool days earlier this week, we are off to warmer temperatures once again. The tumbleweeds still continue to be a pain in the derriere and we sure do need some rain. School is out for the summer, so here in town things are pretty quiet. The stoplight during the roadwork out on the spur is slowing things down also. The first stop light in Banner County, and most likely the last! In town, there are kids everywhere. Summer swimming lessons, reading programs, baseball and soccer! Today, May 23rd, the Calvary...
The Banner County Wildcat Class of 2024, the 104th graduating class from Banner County School, has shown resilience. In her welcoming remarks, Superintendent Dr. Evelyn Browne acknowledged the class's struggle through the pandemic, a time period that tested their strength and determination. The 11 graduates will head off in a variety of different directions after graduation. Nathan Clement will attend Southeast Community College in Milford to study Automotive Technology in the Ford ASSET...
Good morning! Here is trusting you had a great Happy Mother’s Day! Beautiful weather this week and lots of pictures on the aurora borealis – all of them beautiful. Busy week as we are finishing up the school year and looking for the summer to come. Here at the school house, May 16th there will be an AR party, the fourth and last one of the year, the pre-k will have a field trip to the zoo and then graduate at 1:30 p.m. followed by kindergarten graduation at 2:30 p.m. Wow. The next day the kindergarten through 2nd grades will have their fie...