Weeping Water Newsletter - April 15, 2009

EASTER EGG HUNT

The Weeping Water ball field was swarming with activity and excitement last Saturday morning. The annual Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt was held at the ballfield. Kids ranging in age from one to eleven all waited patiently (or not so patiently) for their turn to find the eggs with the best prize. All the eggs contained candy, but some of them also held a gold dollar or coupons for ice cream and candy bars. The children were divided into four age groups in order to keep those of similar ages together.

Not only did the kids get to hunt for eggs, but they were also able to talk to and pose for pictures with the Easter Bunny. That Easter Bunny sure is cute!

Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the Easter Egg Hunt every year. The children look forward to it and the parents and grandparents appreciate all your hard work in bringing it together. Keep up the good work.

THE EASTER BUNNY WITH SOME OF HER BIGGEST FANS!

KARISSA NICKELS WAITS FOR HER TURN TO HUNT FOR EGGS

WADE AND ZOEY POWLES

THE YOUNGEST GROUP OF CHILDREN GET HELP FROM THEIR PARENTS

ELIJAH STECKI IS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST HUNTERS

LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS

AND THEY’RE OFF!

A CAMERA IN EVERY PARENTS’ HAND

LEXI, KATIE, AND CARTER MOGENSEN HAD A GOOD DAY!

DO YOU THINK THIS BAG IS BIG ENOUGH?

THE OLDER KIDS DON’T NEED ANY HELP

I THINK I SEE SOME EGGS!

IT’S THE BIG KIDS’ TURN (MAYBE THEIR LAST)

THESE EGGS ARE MUCH HARDER TO FIND

REGAN AND KARA ARONSON ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THEIR PRIZES

DIANE WADE HANDS OUT SKITTLES TO EACH CHILD AFTER THE EGG HUNT

MOM LINDSEY POWLES THINKS ZOEY IS STILL A LITTLE TOO YOUNG FOR THE HUNT

TYGE THOMAS LOVES TO POSE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

KELLY PATTON HAD A FUN DAY HUNTING EGGS

For Immediate Release: Some Bills Are Nearing Passage

April 10, 2009, Lincoln – Last week I reviewed legislation that had already passed and been signed into law. This week I can report that thirty-five other bills have been passed by the Legislature or are awaiting the final stage of floor debate. These are some that may be of interest.

An increase in whooping cough in Nebraska prompted the introduction of LB 464. The bill requires a child, who will enter seventh grade, to get a booster shot to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). The timing of this booster is intended to protect adolescents and adults, and to coincide with the physical exam that is required for children prior to entering seventh grade.

As introduced LB 105 proposed increases in numerous fees, fines and penalties for the Game and Parks Commission. The Commission relies on these funding sources to support most of its operating budget. However, in light of the current economic conditions, the majority of senators did not support many of the proposed increases. In its final form LB 105 only increased the fee for fishing licenses and fines for poaching.

If it is signed by the governor, LB 111 will become law immediately. The bill requires motorists, who speed in a construction zone where workers are not present, to pay the same fine that is assessed for speeding outside of construction zones. Currently, the fine for speeding in construction zones is double the normal fine, even if workers are not present.

LB 164 will simplify several tax incentive programs, and change or eliminate termination dates for several economic development tax incentive programs. For example the bill will extend the expiration date for the Agricultural Opportunities and Value-Added Partnership grant program from January 1, 2011 to the same date in 2015; amend the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Act to provide credits from the approved projects based on a calendar rather than a fiscal year, because all of the other incentive programs operate with this model; and expand the definition of a qualified business under the Nebraska Advantage Act to include businesses, in which 75 percent or more of the revenue is derived from the sale of tangible personal property to consumers in other states.

The current Welfare Reform Act requires the development of a self-sufficiency contract. The contract calls for participation in one or more “approved activities” such as job skill training, work experience, job search efforts or employment. LB 458 adds to the list of activities the pursuit of vocational training that leads to an associate degree, a diploma or a certificate for a minimum of 20 hours per week for up to 36 months. This bill resulted from strong evidence that individuals, who earn an advanced educational degree or certificate, are less likely to need public assistance benefits in the future.

LB 206 will create the “In the Line of Duty Dependent Education Act” to benefit the children of deceased Nebraska law enforcement officers and firefighters, who are killed in the line of duty on or after the effective date of the Act. The children, ages 25 and younger, will be eligible to attend state colleges and universities, and community colleges without paying tuition and fees. This benefit will be provided to full-time undergraduate students, who are pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Under LB 110 nonprofit groups with 500 advance orders may order specialty license plates. Starting in 2011 these organizations will be able to display their identifying logo for a fee of $70. The bill increases the fee for personalized message plates from $30 to $40, with 75 percent of the revenue going to the Department of Motor Vehicles and 25 percent earmarked for the Highway Trust Fund. LB 110 continues the current fee policy for Husker Spirit plates by allowing the University of Nebraska to collect the first five million dollars for two endowment funds. The bill then directs any additional revenue from the sale of Spirit plates to the Highway Trust Fund.

I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent District 2 in the Nebraska Legislature.

We welcome your contacts by mail, phone or email.
Senator Dave Pankonin
    State Capitol
    PO Box 94604
    Lincoln, NE 68509
    (402) 471-2613
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PET VACCINATION CLINIC

AT THE
Weeping Water Fire barn

Saturday, April 25, 2009
9:00-11:00 a.m.

City personnel will be on hand to issue pet licenses

For more information, contact the city clerk or the Plattsmouth animal hospital at 296-2179.

(pet licenses are due by may 1, 2009)

Wednesday, April 22 is Walk To School and Earth Day!

The Rumsey Station Elementary School is celebrating walking and biking to school starting at 7:30 a.m. that morning. Parents, staff, citizens and “celebrities” will be meeting children in their neighborhoods and walking to school with them for health, for the environment, for the economy… The school walking club alone has grown in less than a year to approx. 120 (up to 150) students and staff walking on a daily basis. They have caught a new health bug that has become the culture of the neighborhood! Safe Kids Sarpy Cass (child injury prevention) is very proud of them and wanted you to be aware of this incredible momentum!

Melinda Keeling, RN, BA
Maternal Child Health/Safe Kids Coordinator
Sarpy/Cass Department of Health
701 Olson Drive Suite 101
Papillion, NE. 68046
402-339-4334 Ext. 210
Fax: 402-339-4235
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Steak & Pork Chop Dinner

Every Wednesday Night
until April 29 from 5 to 8 p.m.

First Congregational Church
Weeping Water, NE

Serving

6 oz NY Strip Dinner $9.95
12 oz NY Strip Dinner $14.95
1 Pork Chop Dinner $7.95
2 Pork Chop Dinner $11.95

The dinner includes baked potato or rice, fresh salad,
green beans, bread, & homemade dessert. Water, coffee,
and tea are also included.

CONTEST FIDDLING WORKSHOP

Saturday, May 16
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Old Avoca Schoolhouse
Avoca, NE

The Old Avoca (Nebraska) Schoolhouse will be hosting a Contest Fiddling Workshop for fiddlers (or violinists or violists) who want to learn some of the do's and dont's when playing in a fiddle contest. Fiddlers (or violinists or violists) of any age and experience level are encouraged to enroll.
Championship fiddler and fiddle book author, Deborah Greenblatt will explain some of the rules (if any) that fiddlers are likely to see. Tune choices and performance customs will be discussed as well. The Workshop will be particularly helpful for those folks planning on entering the Monumental Fiddling Championship in Beatrice on Saturday, May 23.
The Schoolhouse Contest Fiddling Workshop takes place on Saturday, May 16, 1 PM - 3 PM, in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska. Pre-registration is required, and enrollment is limited. The fee is $20.00 per fiddler. For more information, call 402-275-3221, or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Omaha World Herald Article:
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10606911
includes a link to the beautiful new website produced by Irina Harrington of WireBuilt Company in Louisville

Irina Harrington has been the Webmaster at WireBuilt Company for 12 years, and has also created and manages all of the Community Websites for www.NCWP.org Nebraska Community Websites the company she owns.

To contact Irina, or to receive information about a Website for your Company or Organization
email here at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 402-234-2345

Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation’s Spring Banquet

Apr. 18, 2009 – 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy a catered meal and program by Carol Miles Petersen, author of the biography "Bess Streeter Aldrich: The Dreams Are Real". Carol will discuss the writing of the novel “A Lantern in Her Hand” and the story behind the story.

Location: Elmwood Elementary, 400 West F St.
Tickets are $9.00.
RSVP to 402-994-3855 by Apr. 12, 2009.

All are welcome!

RELAY FOR LIFE
April 17, 2009
Nebraska Wesleyan Campus, Lincoln, NE

Relay For Life brings more than 3.5 million people from across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that affects so many.

Samantha Wessels, a 2008 graduate of Weeping Water High School, recently contacted me about spreading awareness about Nebraska Wesleyan’s upcoming “Relay for Life” event to be held on April 17th. She is on the Survivorship committee and is contacting area towns looking for cancer survivors who might like to participate and be honored during the festivities. Survivors will get a free t-shirt and goodie bag and will be honored during the Survivorship Ceremony.
“Relay for Life” is an all-night event, with the teams walking around the track all night, taking turns in a relay. However, the Survivorship Ceremony will be held earlier in the evening.
Those who are cancer survivors and would like to participate in the relay and meet with other cancer survivors can call Samantha Wessels at 402-297-1643 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will then mail/email them a Survivor’s packet with all the information needed for the event.
Even if you aren’t a cancer survivor, you can still make a donation. Wesleyan has almost 40 teams signed up to compete for donations this year. Samantha’s team is called the “Plainswomen”. There are ten girls on her team and their goal for donations is $1,000. If you would like to make a donation, you can write a check to the American Cancer Society and mail it to Samantha at:
Samantha Wessels
5000 St Paul Ave SMB 9029
Lincoln, NE 68504
You can also donate online with a credit card by going to the Wesleyan website at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=16948. Make sure you specify that you want your donation to be credited to the “Plainswomen” team.