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Elmwood Nebraska News

The wind is STILL blowing strong as I sit and write this Monday night. Many people in the area are breathing a sigh of relief as fire escaped their homes.

Others are trying to rest up from a long afternoon fighting the blaze east of Murdock that burned a three-mile stretch from Hwy 1 east of Murdock to Church Road. Thank you to those who sent me photos and updates.

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Earlier today just before 2:30 pm Elmwood Fire & Rescue along with Murdock Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a cornfield on fire.

Shortly after leaving the fire station a large amount of smoke was seen and assistance was requested from Weeping Water Volunteer Fire Department, Manley Fire, and Avoca Volunteer Fire Department.

When units arrived on scene the fire was become very large due to the strong south winds. Assistance was requested from Louisville Fire Department, Cass County EMS, and Cass County Emergency Management Agency. 17192485 10155100513629133 5668784969511097288 o

Just before 3:00 pm an all call was requested which gave us resources from all fire departments in Cass County including the following departments

Louisville Fire Department
Cass County EMS
Cass County Emergency Management Agency
Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department
Murray Fire
Union Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Nehawka Vol. Fire Department
Eagle Fire & Rescue Department
Alvo Fire
Greenwood Fire & Rescue
Waverly Fire/Rescue
Mead Fire Department
Ashland Fire Department
Gretna Fire Department
Springfield Vol. Fire Dept

With the help from volunteer professions and local farmers with their tractors and discs the fire was contained to just under 3 miles long and a quarter-mile wide in some places.

A big thank you to the Nebraska State Patrol and the Cass County Sheriff's Office - NE for their help in evacuations, traffic control and their dispatchers.

A great job by Murdock Fire Command on a well fought fire with all the odds stacked against them!

Interview with State Senator Rob Clements

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I am proud to announce the Elmwood community newsletter is the first media outlet to receive the first official interview with Nebraska State Senator Rob Clements.

After learning more about his day, and week, in the life of a state senator I am even more thankful for the hour and a half Rob and Peggy spent with me Sunday evening.

I was most curious about how Rob was selected and his response to the news.

First a little background. With the resignation of Bill Kintner, an application process had been started. Rob did not place his name into consideration.

Although light-hearted discussions at the bank with Karen and Tracy had taken place. It went something like this...(I think we could see this happening, don't you?)

"So, are you putting your application in for state senator?"

"No. I'm not going to put my name in, but, if the Governor calls I'll talk to him"

Peggy and Rob also joked about the possibility. A few days later he received a phone call asking if he would be willing to be interviewed for the position. Then Peggy and Rob got serious and discussed what it meant to their family.

"This is a whole new beginning. Rob is very good for this position, he is very wise"

"It seems various things at home were in order for this to happen. I feel it was a God thing. Many small events and messages occurred building up to this in ways we couldn't ignore."

The phone call came just a day later with topics ranging from his position on raising taxes, pro-life and gambling. As Rob told me, he is pro-life and believes the citizens of Nebraska are taxed enough.

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At the end of the phone interview, Rob was notified Governor Rickets was in Unadilla for the Groundhog event and would like to come to Elmwood to interview him in person. Ok, this is where my eyes opened wide. The Governor was in Elmwood on a Saturday afternoon at 3:10 pm, in jeans with his wife. I missed this, everyone else missed it.

The interview took place in Rob's office at the bank and lasted an hour. The surprising aspect of the interview was the objectivity of Governor Rickets. At no time did he express a positive support for the answers to the questions. Nor did he ask for further explanation.

During an interview, an applicant wanting to make an impression looks for affirmation cues to guide the direction of the conversation to the position of the interviewer. This did not happen. To me, in our political landscape, I would think this trait is rare.

"I'm going to vote my convictions. I don't have a price and I cannot be bought. "

"I'm not going to ask the Governor what direction I should vote"

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An offer was made on the spot for the 2nd Legislative District position of the Nebraska Legislature with the swearing in and press conference to be Monday, just two days away.

"I missed my opportunity to serve in Vietnam by a couple of months as I was in college at the time. I believe it is a duty for everyone to serve their country in some capacity. I still appreciate those who served in my place. I am honored to do my duty for my state."

The entire Clements family was encouraged to attend, but it had to be a secret to everyone else. Rob was pleased that 15 family members attended, especially his parents Dwight and Marge Clements.

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As Governor Ricketts commented, it was Rob's experience in banking and actuarial science which makes him a perfect fit, especially given the financial need for fiscal leadership.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the interview next week!

You won't want to miss this next weeks edition. You will learn what is the daily schedule of a Nebraska State Senator is like and how they keep updated with such a busy schedule reviewing bills and voting.

You can watch the video and read more comments at the Omaha World-Herald

Nebraska 150 History Moments

A look at author Bess Streeter Aldrich who was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame for her literary work about our great state. The Bess Streeter Aldrich House and Museum in Elmwood, Nebraska has been designated a historic site in the state of Nebraska.

See more Nebraska 150 History Moments at netNebraska.org/150

ETV Television to Highlight Elmwood-Murdock Quilt Project

Last summer, a producer from NETV videotaped interviews with Maechelle (Mickie) Clements and Kurk Shrader regarding the Cass County barn quilt project.

In March, NETV is going to air a one-hour program called "Patchwork on the Plains". This is a look at the history, family traditions, patriotism and community pride that goes into painted plywood barn quilts.

Mickie had a vision to start the barn quilt project in Nebraska and wanted Cass County to be the first Nebr. county to display them.

It was made possible through the joint efforts of the Elmwood-Murdock FBLA and art students, students and Kurk Shrader.

The Cass County barn quilt website is: http://embarnquilts.weebly.com/

Here are the dates the program airs:
Thurs. 03/09/17, 7:00 pm NET
Friday, 03/10/17, 12:00 am NET
Friday, 03/10/17, 7:30 pm NET Create
Friday, 03/10/17, 8:30 pm NET World
Sat. 03/11/17, 10:30 am NET Create
Sat. 03/11/17, 5:30 pm NET World
Sun. 03/12/17, 7:30 am NET
Sun. 03/12/17, 1:00 pm NET
Mon. 03/13/17, 8:30 pm NET
Tues. 03/14/17, 1:30 am NET
Tues. 03/14/17, 8:30 pm NET Create
Thurs. 03/16/17, 9:00 pm NET World
Sat. 03/18/17, 3:00 pm NET Create
Sun. 03/19/17, 3:30 pm NET Create
and during the Pledge drive in June.

IT'S MOVIE TIME at the Library

First two Thursdays in March. Free Movies at the library. Elementary school students are invited to see a movie at the library on their day off from school

March 9th NOON: Zootopia

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March 11, 2017

Gateway Mall, Lincoln

Ben’s Brigade would like to thank all the athletes who ordered youth baseball, softball or basketball photos and supported our fundraising efforts.

We would like to invite Elmwood-Murdock student’s and staff to join us at the Mall Walk for Down syndrome on March 11, 2017 at Gateway Mall in Lincoln from 9 am until noon.

Because of your generous support we would like to buy a button registration for any EM Staff or student’s who would like to walk on Ben’s team. Walkers who complete laps will get a chance to earn up to 3 raffle tickets they can use to try to win fun prizes.

Please pick up a registration form from the office or email the information to us at awilley1@yahoo.com.

If you would like to donate to Ben's Brigade you can do so at http://dsaane.ezeventsolutions.com/MallWalk/BensBrigade

Thank you for your continued support of Ben's Brigade!

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Congratulations to the High School Boys Basketball Team

Congratulations to the boys high school basketball team for winning the conference championship.

Thursday, March 9th 7:00 pm

Lincoln Southeast

Against 7th Seed Oakland-Craig

If they win the next game will be at the

Devaney Center Friday 3:45 pm

Refer to the to the NSAA State Basketball official bracket for times and locations.

See you there!!

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Make sure to head to Lincoln Thursday to cheer the boys to victory

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The 3rd grade boys won the tournament held at Elmwood last Saturday.

They defeated Syracuse, the number 1 ranked Johnson Brock and Louisville.

Coaches are Dan Coleman and Don Mills boys are front l to r Leo Rikli Charlie Cawley , Jacob Stewart,Aiden Meisinger, Ben Willey back row l to r Blake Lavington Clayton Wagner Mitchell Shelsta Dashielle Coleman Dominic Houck Lane Mills

As you may know Mr. Novak will be retiring from the Elmwood-Murdock School District at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

The Elmwood-Murdock Board would like to put together an appreciation video/photo book to present to him at a retirement open house that will be held the end of May 2017.

We are asking for your help with this project. We would like for students, parents, friends or patrons of the district to submit photos, videos, notes, etc. to put into the video/photo book. You can make an i-phone video of a personal message, write a special note or submit pictures of memorable moments.

Any contribution is welcome. Please submit to the following email retire@emknights.org.

We would like this information by March 20.

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Fund Raiser for the Elmwood Park

This Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm shop until you drop. The Elmwood Park will receive 75% of the sales for the park renovations! Pass along this news to your friends and family.

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Elmwood Community Center

(right next door to Elmwood Inspired)

Morning Coffee Bar 8:00 am

Coffee, Tea, Milk

(Milk available, please ask the cook)
Free will offering - suggested $1.00

Noon Meals

Eat in or Take out
Daily Menu

Please call by 9:30am to reserve

402-994-2145
Suggested price for noon meal is $5.00

Area News

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OxbowVetCamp

Junior Vet Camp

For students completing 2nd - 5th grades

The Oxbow Junior Veterinarian Camp is designed especially for children who have a passion for animals and veterinary medicine.

The 4-day camp includes many hands-on activities involving live animals, games and unique crafts.

Campers learn about veterinary tools, x-rays, body systems and functions, and important issues like animal over-population. In addition, they also get to practice activities like real veterinarians perform, including record-keeping and animal health exams.

At the end of camp, they perform a mock surgery, using all that they’ve learned. Campers get their very own set of scrubs and a stethoscope to take home.

Elmwood-Murdock Elementary School (Elmwood, NE) June 5 - 8

I have a special attachment for this camp as I worked at Oxbow Animal Health for many years and this was a project I helped start. Any child who loves animals would love this camp.

For more information and registration visit the Oxbow Academy website.

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Nebraska Writing Contest for 8th Graders

unnamed 2 Treasurer Stenberg Announces 15th Annual NEST

‘Why I Want to Go to College’ Writing Contest for 7th, 8th Graders
$14,000 in NEST Scholarships to Be Awarded at Omaha Storm Chasers Game

Deadline March 17, 2017

Lincoln, Neb. (January 17, 2017) – Seventh and eighth graders are being encouraged to enter the 15th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing contest, sponsored by Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg and the Omaha Storm Chasers. Entries are due March 17.

Winners will receive Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. Nebraska winners also will receive tickets to the May 21 Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. In all, 12 winners will be selected—nine from Nebraska and three from outside the state.

Visit the website for rules and how to enter

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