Park Project  Elmwood-Murdock School News  Bess Street Alrich Museum  Village Board News  Holiday Extravaganza

Cass County News   SUBMIT NEWS 

The special election is set for Elmwood Village Board Members is set for December 12, 2017.

Interested candidates can file until the close of business November 9 to file with the Cass County Election Office. The Filing Form is found HERE at the Cass County election section fo the website. Candidates must be registered voters in Elmwood in order to be eligible for the ballot.

Tomorrow is the last day to file for the open Village Board Seats. Currently, the following people are currently registered

Vacancy ending in December 2018

Kathleen Goerlitz
Tony Graff

Vacancy ending in 2020

Trent C Shrader

Updates on official Candidates can be viewed at the Cass County Website

To vote you must be a registered voter in the Elmwood district online Voter Registration is available here -->> - https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/

Elmwood-Murdock Veterans Day Events

Friday, November 10

10:00 am  E-M High School Veteran Day Program (including Quilts of Valor presentations by Oxbow Quilters)

1:00 pm E-M Elementary Veterans Day Program

Saturday, November 11

7:00 - 11:00 am Pancake Feed

American Legion Post 247 

Elmwood Fire Hall

Proceeds to American Legion Projects including the Elmwood Cemetery Cross Project and Cornhusker Boys State

Sunday, November 12

Lofte Community Theatre, Manley 2:00 pm

Veterans Day Salute FREE Concert

American Legion Post 247 Elmwood Cemetery Cross Project

In 2002 and 2003, the Legion worked diligently to make and place crosses at the grave of each veteran in the Elmwood Cemetery. This added to our already beautiful cemetery and shows the continual respect our community feels for our veterans. Unfortunately, the elements have not been kind to these crosses as they have cracked and some have even broken off. We now find many are beyond repair and must be replaced. 

After talking with several fabricators over the past several months and tweaking the design, our first order of the new crosses has been received. They are made of a 1” thick solid PVC-type product that is used in place of teak on the decks of yachts, so should be able to withstand the weather of Nebraska – and they are beautiful! We designed them similar to the crosses in the American Battlefield Cemeteries in Europe and North Africa. The surface is slightly textured to resemble stone and the edges are all rounded. 

Over the next few months, we will be removing the old crosses and cement and replacing them with new crosses.The crosses will be installed in an 8” column of concrete approximately 2 feet deep. The column needs to be kept high enough so the mowers don’t hit and damage the crosses.

This will be an approximately $12,000 project to complete. Thanks to a very generous donation, the 200 crosses needed have been ordered. Other generous donations have been received toward installation and removal expenses – cement, rebar, and circular tubes for the concrete, as well as extra crosses to have on reserve. We are continuing to accept donations toward the $3,500 still needed for installation of these crosses.
If you would like to help with this project either through funding or manual labor, please let us know.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make it out to American Legion Post 247, and send to

American Legion Post 247

c/o Bonnie Brewer, Commander

402 East D Street

Elmwood, NE 68349

(please note “Cross Project” in memo) 

If you know of other families who have a veteran family member laid to rest in our cemetery, we would appreciate you passing this information on to them.  

The Sails are up at the Playground

Last weekend the volunteers once again descended on the Elmwood Park for the second phase of the Elmwood Park renovation. The equipment was leveled, concrete poured and the sails went up. Thanks to Ty Tichota, Trenton Charles Shrader, and Ryan Anderson for being the "monkeys" and climbing to the skies to install the sails.

Now it is time to let it set up and then add the landscape fabric then wood chips. Then the fence comes down and the kids can go crazy!

Julie Anderson and  Marie Gregoire have done to bring this project this far. It takes a United community to make things happen. 

More help is still needed if you can help please contact Julie Anderson through the Friends of the Elmwood Park Facebook page and she will find a job for you. Even if it's baking cinnamon rolls, or making cookies.

So many wonderful people came out and supported the community of Elmwood Nebraska. It really shows what people think of our town and the true character. It was a social event as well and I learned that this was the THIRD playground installation for at least one member. 

Again there were so many wonderful photos and people that helped I created this video so you can get an idea of what it takes to build a park.

Please do not let the children climb or go past the orange fencing. When the fencing is gone there will be time for celebration and playing.  

The theme for this year's Holiday Extravaganza, "The Silent Stars Go By"

The theme is taken from a story in Bess Streeter Aldrich's "Journey into Christmas and Other Stories." In this collection of short stories, the true meaning of Christmas emerges about reunited families, good fellowship, and restored faith. The book is available at the Elmwood Public Library. Check it out today and enjoy it with your family this Christmas season.

Visit the Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association Facebook page to read more about the theme for 2017 

A few of the Activities for this year are the following. Some are new so make sure to pick refer to the schedule so you won't miss anything!

There are many other activities that will fill your day.

Shop local, support your local businesses. Bring your family and friends and make a day of it.

• Pancake Feed Elmwood-Murdock Backpack Craft Fair (E-M Elementary School)   
• Craft for a Cause (Community Center)
• Iron Horse Emporium (Antiques across from the Quonset)
• Santa Comes to Town (Firehall)
• Candy Cane Lane - Library
• Balloon Artist (Massage by Jolean
• Talk to the Animals (Elmwood Christian Church)
• Meet animals from the Lincoln Children's Zoo
• Get in the Spirit Wine Tasting
•  Live Nativity 3B Homestead (4 miles north of Elmwood on Hwy 1)
•  "...All I want for Christmas is a New Playground (Elmwood Playground -ribbon cutting)
• Soup Supper (Community Center)
• Starry Knight Parade 
• Coloring Contest - for kids and adults alike!

Congratulations to Dean and Judy Douglas for being honored as grand marshals for this year's Holiday Extravaganza Starry Knight Parade - Silent Stars Go By. Plan to come out to cheer them and all the other entries - Saturday, November 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Living Nativity
Want to start a wonderful and meaningful family tradition this year?

Stop by 3B Homestead and experience the Christmas story through their stable animals. Our thanks to Mark and Sondra for adding this event to the Holiday Extravaganza celebration.

Bess Streeter Aldrich House and Museum

16th Annual Short Story Contest

Start thinking of ideas for the 16th Annual Bess Streeter Aldrich short story contest. 

The goal is to generate a fictional short story that is written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works while incorporating a theme that focuses on Nebraska’s economy, history, cultural diversity, and/or geography (past, present, and/or future).

Writers are encouraged to focus on historical and/or realistic topics. This year the Aldrich Foundation is paying tribute to Mrs. Aldrich’s novel The Rim of the Prairie and believe it would be an excellent resource.

Eligibility (Four divisions):

Adult: 1st Prize $100; 2nd Prize $50; 3rd Prize $25
High School (Grades 9-12): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 1st Prize $50; 2nd Prize $25; 3rd Prize $15
Intermediate School (Grades 3-5): 1st Prize $25; 2nd Prize $15; 3rd Prize $10

Complete rules are found at the Bess Streeter Alrich Website

Stories can be submitted on online. Deadline is February 17, 2018

All That Glitters Display

You have until November 12th to visit the museum and still experience fall, and the gems and jewels. Like sparkly things, then head over to the museum this weekend and see everything that glitters. Then the house will be filled with Christmas!!

Make plans to visit this weekend and notice there is additional parking provided in the Christian Church parking lot near the Garden Arboretum. 

"If you're looking for an inspirational romantic read, check out our new books by Rachel Hauck.

Rachel is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

 Pre-school Storytime 

Every Thursday

 10:30-11:30 am

It will continue every Thursday except when the public school is not in session.

 Do you have a review of a book at the library, submit them by emailing editor@elmwoodnebraska.com  

 FCCLA Blood Drive

The FCCLA is again sponsoring a blood drive at the high school on Tuesday, November 28th from 1 to 6 p.m.

We have 42 appointment slots open for this blood drive with Power Red donations available at the top of the hour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Every donation collected at the school will go towards scholarship money for graduation class.

Blood types O+, O-, A-, and B- are eligible for Power Red donations. Donation times may be scheduled by calling the high school at 402-867-2341 or scheduling online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearchList.jsp?zipSponsor=elmwood+murdock+high+school

Meet baby Clara – named in honor of the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and in recognition of the blood donors that helped save her father's life. Clara is the daughter of Brian Boyle, who nearly died in a car accident at the age of 18. He received 36 blood transfusions and 13 plasma treatments.

Following a long three-year recovery, Brian wanted to somehow pay it forward and became a Red Cross volunteer and blood donation ambassador. He’s volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service in support of the Red Cross mission.

This past February Brian became a Red Cross employee. He recalled, “The day before my first day of work I found out that my wife and I were having our first child, a daughter.”
Brian’s story has come full circle. "Getting married and seeing my daughter born would not have been able to happen without the love from my parents, support from many care providers and the blood from dozens of generous Red Cross blood donors who helped save my life.

Their blood gave me back my life, and it allowed me to give life."

Upcoming Blood Drive Alert:
Elmwood Murdock High School
Tuesday, November 28th
1 PM – 6 PM

Make an Appointment to Donate Blood:
Click Here, search sponsor keyword: Elmwood Murdock High School contact BDC, or download the blood donor app!

 Elmwood-Murdock Future Farmers of America (FFA) Program

During Kate Zakaras freshman year, she went to the now former superintendent Dan Novak to see if she could join an FFA chapter of a different school as Elmwood-Murdock school district didn't offer the program.

Kate started long distance learning ag class with Palmyra her sophomore year and joined their FFA program. In the spring she ran for FFA office and became the Sentinel and the very first FFA officer from Elmwood Murdock.

Over the summer she showed goats in FFA at Otoe County. In October Kate and Kylee Synovec attended the national convention in Indianapolis.

Mr. Malone (the Palmyra advisor) is going to try to help Elmwood-Murdock school district get nominated for the Monsanto rural agriculture education grant that they just received for $10,000. Palmyra ag will be using those funds for tower gardens. Elmwood Murdock may try to get the same grant for possibly a greenhouse but that is still in the very early discussion stages.

Kylee Synovec and Cloe Cooper are also in FFA this year and were last year and are taking the Ag classes. This is a great opportunity for our kids to get involved in the agriculture community. Be on the watch for different things in the Elmwood Murdock community and FFA.

Thanks to Kate Zakaras for sending the update on the FFA Program. She plans on majoring in agribusiness and minoring in vet tech.

Donna Mason Celebrates 40 Years of Serve

Donna Mason, cashier of American Exchange Bank recently celebrated 40 years of service with the bank. The Clements family recognizes and greatly appreciates Donna's dedicated service to the bank. In 1977 Donna was hired to operate the new Burroughs L9000 magnetic strip posting machine, and then ran the banks first computer, a Franklin Ace 1000/Apple II+ with floppy disks and no hard drive or mouse. Since then she has adapted well with the many changes in technology and banking in the past 40 years. Not only is Donna an asset to the bank, but she is an asset to the communities it serves

Elmwood Village Board News

Elmwood Village Board Special Election

Due to the resignation of three board members at the October 18th board meeting, there will be a special election to fill their positions. 

The election is set for Dec. 12; interested candidates have until the close of business Nov. 9 to file with the Cass County Election Office, according to a press release issued by Gale's office. Candidates must be registered voters in Elmwood in order to be eligible for the ballot, the release states.

Neighborhood Watch
The Elmwood Neighborhood Watch Team met at the Elmwood Community Center.

The group discussed local issues and determined that it would meet once a month to keep in touch. Becky Kicak will serve as captain and Kalee Brewer will be co-captain and Wabash representative. An email/text group will be established for events that require quick contact with each other.

If a citizen has an immediate concern about a crime or danger in the community they should always call 911 first.

If there questions or concerns about something happening around Elmwood related to crime or possible crime they may contact Becky and she will confer with Matt Jarvis, the Neighborhood Watch Program director.

He will check into the question or issue and get back to the group with an answer.

The next meeting of the Elmwood Neighborhood Watch team will be on Tuesday, November 28th. Carrot cake will be served.

The Elmwood Village Board and Library are seeking community feedback regarding how we can grow and improve our community and library. We value your feedback, so please consider completing these surveys to continue making Elmwood a great place to live!

The Elmwood Library is seeking feedback on how to better serve the community. The following survey contains questions regarding what the library does well and how the library can improve. Please be as thorough as possible with your answers so we may get the best results. Thank you for helping us improve the Elmwood Library!

The surveys can also be taken online outside of the newsletter by clicking on the categories below.

Elmwood Village Survey Here

Elmwood Library Here 

Activities at the Elmwood Community Center

A food demonstration was given by Bev Swenson also in the month of October.  She showed how to make gorgeous things out of fruits and vegetables. She is the wife of Reverend Dennis Swenson of our Christian church in Elmwood.

Kids Day is the last Monday of every month. April Bacon brings her class and they make a dessert and visit with the senior.  The daycare from the Methodist Church also visits and has juice. Things are happening at the Elmwood Community Center. If you would like to add an activity or event stop by at lunch and talk to Helen McKinney

The Community Center Thanksgiving meal will be the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Turkey stuffing, potatoes and gravy. Also pies and all the trimmings.

We are currently serving hard ice cream in dishes.
we have 8 different flavors to choose from.

Becky
Elmwood C Store
402-994-3305

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