Norfolk Elk longevity members were recently invited for cake and coffee and were presented with pins. In attendance were 50-year members Howard Leshovsky and Ron Skiff; 60-year members Tom Dover, Warren Monson and Bob Huntley; and 55-year member Robert Dillon, who lives in North Carolina, was sent his pin.
- Submitted by Carol Coolidge
Jason Thiele, wildlife biologist with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, and Patrick Cowsert, soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, visit with students about the importance of wetland plants and animals as they examine portions of Gilman Park in Pierce. Eleven high schools were represented at the 30th anniversary of Wonderful World of Water, a competition for ninth and 10th graders.
Norfolk Elks Lodge 653 was one of many booths at the National Night Out event in Central Park in early August. They played a Plinko game for prizes and handed out drug awareness material.
- Submitted by Carol Coolidge
Five generations: Great-great-grandma Marie Aase-Borgman holding 5-month-old Sage Sears, great-grandma Sandy Duncan, mom Tatum Sears and grandpa Greg Preister.
- Submitted by Sandy Duncan
Jaxon Ebeling helping Grumpa put up German flags in preparation for last weekend's Oktoberfest.
- Photo by Chloe Ebeling
Trinity Lutheran Elementary School in Hoskins recently received a first place award in the school recycling category from Keep Nebraska Beautiful. In all, 14 students spent about 30 minutes each week collecting paper, amassing some 16,000 pounds by the end of the school year. The group also hosted an electronic recycling center for the town. As a result, Hoskins residents feel like they live in a cleaner community, showing once again that even the youngest among us can inspire great things.
- Submitted by Beth Bonderson, Village of Hoskins
The 2020 Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Paris area travel group held an educational, get-acquainted lunch at Napolis in late summer. Pictured are M. Nuttleman (from left), Mrs. Simpson (group leader), B. Shively, R. Boyer, M. and S. Easland, J. Jaquez, S. Nuttleman, C. Pritchett and J. Simpson. G. Day, C. and C. Klein, and E. Schmucker were unable to attend.
- Submitted by Faye Simpson
Two-year-old Jase Dvorak of Pierce climbing the fridge for the next “America Ninja Warrior Toddler.”
- Submitted by is mom, Jessica Dvorak
On June 12, the Norfolk Elks Lodge #653 conducted a Flag Day ceremony at the Norfolk Veterans Home. Ice cream was enjoyed after the program that was donated by Hiland Dairy. A Flag Day ceremony was also conducted at Norfolk High.
- Photos by Carol Coolidge
Rotarian Dr. Dave Merritt, received the the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. This award is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a person. Recipients are Rotarians and community professionals, in recognition of their outstanding contributions, exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing “SERVICE ABOVE SELF.” This honor accompanies a donation of $1,000 or more, in the recipient’s name, to Rotary International’s “Annual Program Fund,” which supports Rotary’s world-wide programs. This is Dave's second time receiving the award.
Four generation photo — from 2 years to 97 years. Pictured is Lucy and mother Kara Hilzer of Lincoln, great-grandmother Darlene Barrett of Madison and grandmother Kay Maize of Lincoln.
- Submitted by Darlene Barrett
The 2019 Boy and Girl State representatives recently reported on their experience at Boys and Girls State held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to the American Legion Family Post 16 of Norfolk. Each year the Legion family sponsors young men and women to attend. Pictured is Jacob Rusk; and Ashley Myers (from left), Logan Brtek and Mason Borgman.
- Submitted by Jolene Smith of Pierce
I told my 14-year-old to find something to do and this is what he did.
- Submitted by Joyce Ternus of Madison Nebraska
Great-granddaughter Suttynn, with her mom, Skye, was excited to see the firetruck with flashing lights, leading the parade during the Battle Creek Summer City Fest.
- Submitted by Janice Aldag
Rotarian James Merritt (right) received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for the second time. The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a person. Recipients are Rotarians and community professionals, in recognition of their outstanding contributions, exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing “Service above self.” This honor accompanies a donation of $1,000 or more in the recipient’s name to Rotary International’s “Annual Program Fund,” which supports Rotary’s world-wide programs and local service programs.
- Submitted by Mary Hammond
Simon and Ruthie Lingenfelter, 4, won the Duck N Run at the recent Fit N Fun Family Festival at the Chuck M. Pohlman Complex. They are the children of Kyle and Katie Lingenfelter of Columbus.
- Submitted by grandparents Allen and Susan Jensen of Norfolk
On his 101st birthday, Keith Roll got on a motorcycle and went on a ride with his godson, Steve Rokahr.
- Courtesy photo
On a warm summer day, the kitty got a cool drink of water and there were plenty of butterflies out.
- Photos by Sharon Wantoch of Hoskins
Back to school carnival at St. John's Church in Norfolk on Wednesday evening.
- Norfolk Daily News/Jake Wragge
This sign, erected two miles north of Norfolk, was damaged in the March flood. Renner Wraps offered to remake the sign at no charge. The new sign is now in place, and all should appreciate the message the sign delivers.
- Submitted by Bob Huntley
Children attending Vacation Bible School at St. John's Lutheran Church in Norfolk recently packaged Heart-y Soup sacks that were donated to the Norfolk Food Pantry. Each packet contains all the ingredients to make eight one-cup servings of soup. Funding for the soup was donated by Thrivent Action Dollars.
- Submitted by Jolene Ziebell
Wilma Dopson, 92, is a 72-year member of American Legion Auxiliary 88. Her husband, Virgil H. Hansen, joined the U.S. Navy on Aug. 4, 1943, and served on the USS Denver where he worked on the radar system. He was discharged on May 11, 1946. Mrs. Dopson has held most offices in the Auxiliary through the years. She is still serving as a color bearer and treasurer.
ContiTech USA celebrated 40 years with an event at Divots with the Fastenal race car and a Continental tire semi on display. Bill Webbert (pictured) and others enjoyed the display.
- Courtesy photo
Emma Rodriguez, 3, daughter of Cory Rodriguez and Amber Rodgers, knows how to pass the time during a long road trip.
- Submitted by Amber Rodgers
The corn was only knee-high by the 4th of July. By July 16, it's safe to say it grew a little. Pictured is Don Corroll with granddaughter Lilian, daughter of Jim and Tina Cope of Fremont.
- Submitted by grandma Mary Corroll
The ninth Annual Pierce Historical Society Classic Car Show was held on Sunday, June 30. It was a hot day but the cars were hotter! Jeff and Tracy Spear of Hampton, Iowa, came with their 1955 Chevy 210 Post Del Ray. The car made a return trip to Pierce as it was one of the vehicles purchased at the Lambrecht car auction in 2013. The original owner of the car, George Prince of Pierce, got to spend the afternoon with Jeff and the car.
- Pierce Historical Society
Jim Merritt (center) recently received the Rotarian of the Year Award 2018-2019. He is pictured with Randy Dee (left), Norfolk Rotary Club President and Troy Weyhrich, Immediate Past Club President.
- Submitted by Mary Hammond
1983 Norfolk High graduates Tom Markland and John Ehrenfried recently biked 200 miles on the Cowboy Trail from Valentine to Norfolk in just under 13 hours. They currently reside in Florida and Tennessee, respectively.
- Submitted by Gary and Margy Ehrenfried
Jeff Sotzing, the nephew of the late Johnny Carson and a representative of the Johnny Carson Foundation, enjoyed a recent trip to Norfolk from his home in California to attend the Great American Comedy Festival and attend to foundation business. While here, he toured the newly expanded Norfolk Family YMCA, made stops at the Elkhorn Valley Museum and Norfolk Senior Center and also enjoyed a chance to drive some farm equipment courtesy of Dinkel Implement.
- Courtesy photo
Pictured is the Norfolk area swim team (left) who competed in the 2019 SONE State Swim Meet and also the Norfolk Panther athletes who participated in the 2019 SONE State Bowling.
- Submitted by Kayla Walnofer of The Arc of Norfolk
Gary Winthorpe, a new resident of the Norfolk area, heard about Skyview Lake and how beautiful it was so he decided to check it out for himself. While kayaking one day in early June, he noticed how beautiful the sunset was and how it reflected off the water and decided to take a picture of it.
- Gary Winthorpe
From left, Josie Sanger of Crofton, Amber Miller and Hannah Ollendick of Tilden Elkhorn Valley, and Taya Beller of Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family perform a line dance during halftime of the Northeast Nebraska All-Star Girls Basketball Game. At far right is Light team coach Kandee Hanzel of Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family.
- Jake Wragge
Fourteen members of Dixon County JR Leaders from Laurel, Wakefield, Dixon, Jackson, Ponca and Waterbury chose to spend part of their summer helping those less fortunate. On Wednesday, June 5 , they traveled to Norfolk where they spent part of their day at Mercy Meals. Pictured are the Dixon County JR Leaders at Mercy Meals in Norfolk.
- Courtesy photo
Norfolk Casey's General Stores employees (Benjamin Avenue and 13th Street locations) joined with Special Olympics Nebraska in the annual torch run fundraiser through the month of June. Pictured are employees, left photo, Zach DeLanie, Chris Bevelhymer and Jim Benkendorf; right photo, Lincoln Schoenrock and Tricia Bach.
- Submitted by Ruth Markhofer
Still a racer at heart, grandpa Dennis teaches grandkids Isaac, Annabelle and Eli the ropes with love.
- Submitted by Kelly Martz
Both the 8u and 13u Steel teams came away with the championship at the USSSA Diamond Challenge Qualifier Tournament in Grand Island that held Jun 7-9.
- Submitted by Deb Wolff
Members of the TAP Dance Studio were in NYC recently and made a stop at the Today Show.
- Submitted by Amy Arkfeld
Camp Willow recently held its first free summer camp for local children with disabilities that utilizes horse, art and theatre therapies. The parents got a seminar of their own with a mental health professional. The camp was held at S.M.I.L.E. Inc. facilities outside of Madison, and future events are in the works.Camp Willow recently held its first free summer camp for local children with disabilities that utilizes horse, art and theatre therapies. The parents got a seminar of their own with a mental health professional. The camp was held at S.M.I.L.E. Inc. facilities outside of Madiso…
- Submitted by Sydney Watson
Brad and Julie Dirkschneider of Howells are the parents of these four girls that donate their hair to Locks of Love.
- Submitted bu great-grandparents Paul and Val Pekarek of Howells
Torri Obermiller, who taught for 33 years, and Kathy Farley, who taught for 34 years, have retired from Norfolk Public Schools. A retirement party was held in their honor.
- Submitted by Mary and Ivan Van Dyke
"I'm ready for my bath. Where's the soap and water?"
- Submitted by Jeanette Bearinger of Clearwater
Staff and members of the Liberty Centre surprised Patty Skokan with cake and ice cream recently on the 30th anniversary of her employment. She has held various positions over the years with the organization, with more than half of it as the executive director.
- Courtesy photo
The department award winners at Lutheran High Northeast's honors convocation on Wednesday were (from left) Ashley Pedersen, theology; Isaac Weander, math; Dalton Freudenburg, social studies; Ian Hansen, choir; Connor Wilcox, art; Julia Witt, science; Emma Baumann, business and band; and Camille Fowlkes, English and Spanish.
- Courtesy photo
Lou's Thrifty Way was recently presented with AWG's Excellence in Meat Merchandising Award. Accepting the award was Merrick Alexander, Matthew Brtek, Mike Brtek, Lou Brtek, Nathan Brtek, and Nancy Brtek.
- Courtesy photo
This family feels very lucky to be able to take five-generation photos with both sides of the family. Pictured in the left photo is great-great-grandma Gert Jansen, 95, Sioux Center, Iowa; great-grandma Mary Lou Verburg, Rock Valley, Iowa; grandma Janet Cromwell, Elk Point, S.D.; father Derek Bosler, Norfolk; son Cole Bosler, 2; and twin daughters Paisley and Harper, almost 6 months. At right is great-great-grandma Marian Verburg, 96, Rock Valley; great-grandpa Ken Verburg, Rock Valley; and Janet, Derek, Cole, Paisley and Harper.
- Submitted by Janet Cromwell
Students at Norfolk Catholic started a group centered around protecting the sanctity of human life. The group, Knights for Life, is led by president Bree Kucera and has ran a diaper drive, taken pro-life apologetics courses and led a school-wide Lenten service centered around the dignity of the human person.
- Courtesy photo
The Norfolk Elks #653 was invited to participate at "Dad's Night Out" at the Norfolk Middle School recently. A table with a Plinko and a Rubik's cube game was played with prizes promoting drug awareness. Over 150 kids and adults enjoyed the evening. Pictured is student Dalton Bode with Elk members Pricilla and Sharon.
- Submitted by Elk member Carol Coolidge