Thank you to all the area veterans!
The Elmwood Murdock schools honored the area veterans today in two different programs. The elementary school program was held in the afternoon. Mr. Friedrich welcomed everyone to the event and started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then everyone sang the "Star Spangled Banner." It gave me chills to watch the kids singing with pride and they all knew the words. After hearing it for years before sporting events and singing it in school they know this song and feel it in their bones. Michael Hanson, band instructor, directed the Middle School band in playing "America the Beautiful" and "Fanfare Americana." Betty Colbert, music instructor, led the kids as they sang, "On Veterans Day."
Mr. Friedrich asked all the veterans in the audience to take turns standing and introducing themselves, telling when they served and what branch of the military they were with. It was awesome to hear the men and women tell their brief military stats. They also mentioned if they had a child, grandchild, or great grandchild in the school. The kids would jump and wave to them when they heard their names.
Major Kevin Hynes, better known at the elementary school as Michael's dad, introduced retired Col. Thomas Brewer, the guest speaker for the event. Col. Brewer talked about his experiences growing up and how he came to be in the military. He was greatly influenced by his father, a Ranger. Tom became a Ranger too which was the beginning of his adventures. He has led missions to train Afghanistan natives to be soldiers and also was responsible for trying to stop the drug trafficking in Afghanistan. For two years he and his team would raid drug labs, confiscate hundreds of pounds of drugs, burn them, and start all over again. He was ambushed in 2003 and shot 6 times. But that did not stop him. When Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005 Tom was tapped to take Nebraska LAV and personnel to New Orleans to save people. He was also given a super secret assignment of cleaning out the Federal Reserve before looters did.
In December 2011 he was shot by an RPG while changing a tire. The injuries from this attack caused Tom to retire from the military. He made an unsuccessful bid to run for Congress in the Third Congressional District but was slowed down somewhat when he was diagnosed with leukemia at the same time he announced his candidacy. After many rounds of chemo Tom appears to be cancer free and looking for a new mission.
Tom now spends his time working with youth at the Pine Ridge Reservation and also working with the Heroes and Horses program in Montana. This program provides hope and acceptance for wounded veterans. The vets are taught about horses and are given the experience of a life time by riding and taking care of the horses. Tom plans to go on a 2,000 mile trail ride next year along the expanse of the Continental Divide. He recently had the final surgery to repair his body after the RPG attack in 2011 so he has hopes that he will make the trail ride. Life after the military has become as rewarding as his military career. We look forward to hearing about more adventures from Col. Brewer.
The program concluded with a song from the K-3rd graders, "Oh, I Love America" and by the 4-6th graders, "Grateful to be an American." Tom stayed around to meet with the 4-6th graders to answer any questions they had about his service. The kids are very curious and listened intently to his presentation. Tom is a great speaker and captures the audiences attention with his stories.
Michael's dad works the crowd as he introduces retired Col. Tom Brewer.
The Middle School band
Chills. These kids give me chills listening to them sing about veterans.
Tom talking to the kids.
Tom with his ranger dad.
Tom with his nephews in Afghanistan
Heroes and Horses click for more information
Tom especially wanted everyone to know that there are many who will not come home and that is the ultimate sacrifice and we owe them everything.
If you would like to see a report on the Veteran's Day program at the Elmwood Murdock High School check out the Murdock newsletter by clicking here! Thanks to Beth Philson for pictures of the Veteran's Day Program!
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Veteran's Lunch at the Elmwood Community Center
The Elmwood Community Center is an unsung hero in our town. Today a special meal was provided for anyone who wanted to come. It was a packed house, too. On a normal weekday they serve between 10-17 meals in the center and also provide take out meals. Dana and Dan Custard have been the main cooks for the last year or so and have had rave reviews. Recently they cut back their hours and Helen McKinney has stepped up and started cooking on Thursdays and Fridays. Helen is a fantastic cook herself so she is a welcome addition to the team. Several volunteers help out to get the meal cooked and served.
The Elmwood Community Center is not a senior center though it has been perceived as that. The Center is available to be rented out for family dinners, reunions, meetings, parties, etc... There are often card games held here that are well attended by a variety of local card sharks. Nothing illegal though!
More information will be coming your way about the Elmwood Community Center. We need to sing its praises and let everyone know about it. The people who volunteer to oversee the Center need recognition and our thanks!
Dana and Dan and a helper cut up ham for the meal.
These ladies are manning the money table as people come in.
Bill Connour is ready to enjoy the meal.
Pastor E...the new pastor at the Elmwood Christian Church. I look forward to getting to know this guy. He is excited to be in Elmwood and looks forward to meeting everyone. He told me to call him Pastor E because his first name is hard to pronounce. (Earlin Shanno) That's not so hard to say!
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GOOD LUCK, LADY KNIGHTS!!! TAKE STATE!!!
The Elmwood-Murdock Volleyball Team has qualified for 2014 State Volleyball Tournament to be held in Lincoln next week. The Tournament is scheduled to start on Thursday, November 13 and will run through Saturday, November 15, 2014. Brackets for the tournament can be found at the Nebraska School Activities Association website at www.nsaahome.org. The Elmwood Murdock Volleyball girls will play on Thursday, at 7:30 pm, at Lincoln Southwest High School.
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Note from Dan Novak - Superintendent - Elmwood Murdock Public Schools.
As you may know, Elmwood-Murdock qualified for the 2014 State Volleyball Tournament to be held in Lincoln starting on Thursday, November 13, 2014. Elmwood-Murdock will open first round play against Hastings St. Cecelia at Lincoln Southwest High School at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Due to the late start time of the game, we will have a regularly scheduled school day on Thursday. If Elmwood-Murdock were to win they would play at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. In order for our students and faculty to get to the game, school would be dismissed at the elementary at 11:50 a.m. and at the junior-senior high at 12 noon. Lunch would not be served on Friday if we dismiss early. If Elmwood-Murdock does not win their first round game on Thursday we will have a regularly scheduled school day on Friday, November 14, 2014. Please contact the school if you have questions regarding any of the information contained in this notice. Thanks - Dan Novak-Superintendent-Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools.
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Please join us at the Murdock High School at 4:45 pm on Thursday, November 13th to give our EM Lady Knights Volleyball Team a BIG and LOUD! sendoff as they head off to Lincoln for the first round of the State Tournament!
The first round game will be played at 7:30 pm at Lincoln Southwest High School against Hastings St. Cecelia.
GO LADY KNIGHTS!!!
A pep rally will be held in the old gym at 3:00-3:30 pm on Thursday. Parents and community members are welcome to attend.
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Click here to see the bracket.
A special good luck to the Senior girls. They are a great group of girls but I could just be a bit partial since I watched these girls grow up.
Sheridan Spohr, Brenna Backemeyer, Adana Merriweather, Laura Fortney, Jessie Spaulding, and Hanna Justesen
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Congratulations to Elmwood Murdock Students Named All State Musicians!!
Five Elmwood Murdock students were named All State Musicians by the Nebraska Music Educators Association. Eight other Cass County students were also named as All State Musicians. The NMEA sponsored auditions for the Nebraska All-State Band, Chorus, Jazz Band and Orchestra earlier this month. Musicians provided audition tapes to judges through an online process during the week of Oct. 5-11. Audition results were released to the public Oct. 22.
All-State activities will take place in Lincoln Nov. 19-21. Musicians will practice Nov. 19-20 at various sites around the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. The All-State Jazz Band and Chorus will perform a public concert in the Lied Center for Performing Arts at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The All-State Orchestra and Band will perform in the same venue at 7:30 p.m.
Craig Jessop, dean of the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University, will conduct the All-State Chorus. John Nardolillo, music director and conductor of the University of Kentucky’s Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the All-State Orchestra. Colleen Richardson, coordinator of bands at Western University in London, Ontario, will direct the All-State Band. - details from Fremont Tribune
Elmwood-Murdock
Grace Althouse – All-State Chorus – Alto II
Callie Zeorian – All-State Chorus – Alto II
Josiah Philson – All-State Chorus – Bass II
Cale Arent – All-State Chorus (Alternate) – Bass I
Nicholaus Barkhurst – All-State Chorus (Alternate) – Bass II
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Hey, Moms and Dads....Here is a schedule of great Christmas movies!
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Early Imaginations Academy is hiring! Interested in working in a fun, friendly, full of smiles environment? This may be a fit for you. Early Imaginations is looking for nurturing, inspiring, delightful workers that desire to make every moment a teachable one. A passion for creating lifelong learners. A willingness to treat parents as partners in their child's growth and learning. Early Imaginations is looking for full time and part time job opportunities. If interested and would like to know more, contact us at 402.994.2050. We are excited to welcome new members to the team!
ELVIS (Joseph Hall) AT THE LOFTE!
Elvis is in the building! Joseph Hall is America's premier Elvis Presley tribute artist and he will be performing a show at the Lofte Community Theatre in Manley on Sunday, November 16 at 3pm.
Making the top 10 on NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2008, his career has since taken off. Performing in Branson, Las Vegas and as far away as Great Britain, Hall has won many awards for his stirring presentation. Joseph returns to the Lofte for the fourth year in a row to treat his Nebraska fans to an afternoon with The King of Rock and Roll!
Please note, this is a special engagement and tickets are NOT on sale through the Lofte. For advance purchase, please visit www.JosephHallElvis.com or call (402) 617-4477.
Tickets will also be on sale at the door on the day of the show.
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ECNC Choir Performance - EM kids
Note Nick Barkhurst strikes a pose in the back row.
ECNC Choir Photobomb! Kate Zakaras was taking a selfie with Valerie Miller when Abraham Vidaurre decided to photobomb them.
Thanks to everyone who came out tonight to listen to me and the other Elmwood-Murdock kids at ECNC honor choir. I hope you enjoyed listening to us sing. --Kate Zakaras
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The Wood Chipper in Action
Thanks to Jacob Blunt for contributing these pictures of the wood chipper in action last week.
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Needed: Substitute kitchen workers! If anyone is interested in occasionally working in the kitchen at either the Elmwood or Murdock school sites please contact Lisa Hynes at the Elmwood Murdock High School. (402)867-2341
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A BIG THANK YOU!
I would like to say thank you to all for my recent benefits, both the pancake feed and the Eagles fundraiser. I truly appreciate those individuals, groups and businesses who generously donated items for the meal, silent and live auctions, door prizes, bake sale goodies and the music. I'm grateful, too, for those who spent their time planning and working at these events. I enjoyed them both so much and from the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you enough for all you've done. You mean the world to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Rosie Redden
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Combine Fire Sparks Blaze Near Avoca
Avoca Firemen along with fantastic help from Weeping Water, Manley, Elmwood and Emergency Management worked to extinguish a combine and subsequent field fire northwest of Avoca. The field fire was quickly contained within a two acre area of corn. The combine which was the initial source of the fire was engulfed upon arrival. Crews worked feverishly to knockdown the fire which burned though the fuel tank and force fed the fire. The operator was able to jump clear as the cab became engulfed. Although very shaken he stated that he was very grateful and impressed with all of the work.
From this Chiefs standpoint: "I am thankful, grateful, and sincerely proud of all of you who worked so hard to ensure that everyone returned home tonight safe. Your diligence and hard work did not go unnoticed." From the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department.
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VISUAL FAITH MINISTRY
Visual Faith Ministry will be performing at the Nehawka Methodist Church this Sunday, November 16, 2014. The church service starts at 9:15.
Read more about Visual Faith and what they do at
https://www.facebook.com/VisualFaith
Election of the 2014-15 officers for Murray's 4th of July Planning Committee was held November 6, 2014 and the unanimous results are:
We are excitedly gathering more ideas to keep moving onward and upward in our annual tradition!
Mark your calendars for the next meeting which will be held on
THURSDAY, December 11, 2014,
6:30 p.m.
Murray Town Hall.
Everyone's welcome! We'd be very interested in hearing your ideas!
Elmwood-Murdock Booster Club 2014-2015 School Year
The E-M Booster Club is moving forward once again this year to improve the student experience for ALL of our students in ALL activities. In the past we have had tremendous monetary support and volunteering from parents, businesses and district patrons. Without this support we would be unable to fulfill our primary goal of assisting the district with purchasing items it would not otherwise be able to afford. Some examples of items we have purchased and/or paid for in the past are:
- Sponsorship of FBLA/FCCLA students to attend national conferences
- Summer speech enrichment program
- Purchasing football playoff and scholar athlete medals
- Piano for the music department
- Football jerseys, Jr. & Sr. High track uniforms and warm-ups, boys basketball warm-ups & girls basketball uniforms
- Wall of Excellence plaques
- 9th Grade trip to Romeo & Juliet
- Assist with the purchase of new band uniforms
- 'Nitro' Mascot
- Perfect attendance incentives
Some of our fundraising events include our annual pork tailgate BBQ, volleyball tournament, picture buttons, calendar ads, soup supper and our annual membership drive.
The Booster Club needs your help in continuing its tradition of helping out our athletic, academic, music, band, speech and drama programs. Membership in the Booster Club is open to anyone who shares our passion in continuing this tradition of support, enthusiasm and excellence for ALL of our students. We particularly would like to invite the parents of all 7th through 12th grade students to join us. The Booster Club is a great way to be involved in the events in which your student participates in. In addition, if you would like to volunteer to help with our Booster Club events, provide us with your e-mail address below. The Booster Club uses your e-mail address strictly for Club purposes and will not share it with other organizations.
Join us for the benefit of the entire Elmwood-Murdock Knights school team! Contributions are being accepted at the following levels: (Please select one and make check payable to 'E-M Booster Club')
- SUPER KNIGHT LEVEL -- LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP -- $300 (Receive 2 free passes (annually) to the Booster Club Volleyball Tourney
- KNIGHT LEVEL -- $100
- BLACK LEVEL -- $75
- SILVER LEVEL -- $50
- WHITE LEVEL--$25
PLEASE LIST THE NAMES AND ADDRESS OF PEOPLE MAKING THE CONTRIBUTION:
NAME: _________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________
ADDRESS:_______________________________________
Yes, I want to help out. Please contact me at the following e-mail or phone number: ___________________________
Thank you for your support and welcome to the Elmwood- Murdock Booster Club!
If you have any questions, please contact our principal, Mr. Tim Allemang at (402) 867-2341 or tallemang@emknights.org. Return this form and check to: Elmwood-Murdock School, Attn: Roxanne Kastens, P.O. Box 407, Murdock, NE 68407-0407. Please return by November 24th 2014.
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Community Sustaining Sponsors 2014
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