Weeping Water Newsletter

WEEPING WATER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

The 2010 Weeping Water High School graduation took place on Saturday, May 8th at 4:00 p.m. Twenty seniors were presented with their diplomas after four years of hard work and (hopefully) lots of fun.

The graduates and their family and friends were welcomed by Mr. Brian Gegg, Superintendent of Schools followed by addresses from the four Summa Cum Laude (With High Distinction) graduates, Zach Barrett, Hannah Hartman, Ryan Nielsen, and Rebekka Hammer. The graduating class also entertained the audience with a musical number "The Climb" and the Weeping Water Band played a piece entitled "Avenger". As always, the parents, grandparents, and friends enjoyed the video presentation of the graduates compiled by Mr. Ken Groathouse.

Most of these young adults will be continuing their education in state colleges and universities, some will be joining the armed forces, and a few will immediately join the work force. We would like to wish these new graduates good luck and best wishes in the future!

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Weeping Water Public School

Last Day of School

Kindergarten-8th Grade--May 18th

9th - 12th Grades--May 19th

Have a fun summer!

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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

Weeping Water Community Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs!

June 12: 7:05 pm Lincoln NE

Tickets: Berm $6.00 and Upper Level $9.00

Tickets available at Tammy's Soap Shack

and Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Become a fan of the Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

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2010 Relay For Life Of Cass County

Please join us for twelve hours of activity when we walk the track to honor those we have lost to Cancer and celebrate the lives of those who are surviving. This is the 15th year of the Relay For Life of Cass County and the 26th Anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. It is a wonderful event that a lot of thought and hard work is put into by the ACS staff and a small volunteer committee. There is nothing in the world that would give us more satisfaction than having every one of you (adults, children, family and friends) join us to Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back and bring us all Hope for a better, brighter day.

Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010

Time: 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM

Place: Plattsmouth High School Football Field Track

Rain or Shine - if necessary the walk will be moved into the high school

There will be music and games for even the smallest - a bounce house too!

Bring your tents and sleeping bags and camp out with us under the stars! A night you're sure to remember.

For additional information: www.relayforlife.org/casscone or 402-393-5801

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts ........ Your 2010 Relay Committee

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Upcoming 2010 ACS Cass County Relay For Life Fund Raisers

Saturday, May 8, 2010 - Survivors R Us is sponsoring a free will donation Car Wash from 10 AM to 4 PM at Plattsmouth Keno.

Friday, May 14 & Saturday, May 15, 2010 - Survivors R Us is sponsoring a rummage sale from 8 AM to 12 PM on both days at 2117 Lincoln Avenue, Plattsmouth. They will have a large selection of clothes for adults and children.

Friday, May 21 & Saturday, May 22, 2010 - Kris' Krew is sponsoring a bake sale in conjunction with Murray Garage Sales at 301 W. Young Street. Come early and enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls, pies, cookies, brownies and many other yummy treats!

Saturday, May 22, 2010 - Thundering Herd is sponsoring a Vendor Open House from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Bellevue Lied Activity Center (2711 Arboretum Drive). Vendors will include Arbonne, At Home Entertaining, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware and more. Proceeds will go to Relay For Life of Cass County.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - Fashion Show at Chico's in Shadow Lake Town Center to benefit the Cass County Relay For Life. The show will begin at 7 PM and light snacks will be provided.
Chico's is proudly donating 10% of the stores proceeds sold between 4 PM - 9 PM on that day.

Friday, June 4 & Saturday, June 5, 2010 - Thundering Herd is sponsoring a garage sale (8 AM to 4 PM - both days) in Bellevue at 13412 S. 31st Circle.

Friday, June 4 (8 AM to 5 PM) & Saturday, June 5, 2010 (8 AM to 1 PM) - Kris' Krew is sponsoring a garage sale at 10186 Sydney Lane in Lakeview Estates (North of Beaver Lake). They will have a $3 Bag Sale from 1 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, June 5th.

Saturday, June 5, 2010 - LD's Warriors is sponsoring "Rock-N-Race For A Cure" at Rolling Thunder Drag Strip. Gates open at 1 PM and admission is $10 per person.

Friday, June 11, Saturday, June 12 & Sunday, June 13, 2010 - Thundering Herd is sponsoring a craft booth at Springfield Days. Hours: Friday - 5 PM to 10 PM - Saturday & Sunday - 8 AM to 4 PM.

Saturday, June 19, 2010 - Carol's Crusaders is sponsoring their annual Blackjack Run. Sign up is from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Plattsmouth Keno and the cost is $10 per hand. Motorcycles and classic cars welcome

For information about fund raisers, dates and particulars, visit www.relayforlife.org/casscone.

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Contact: Mary Ann Holland

Extension Educator

Cass County Extension office

8400 144^th Street, Ste. 100

Weeping Water, NE 68463

402-267-2205

For Immediate Release

Composting Workshop

Cass County Extension office will host a Composting Workshop. Vaughn Hammond, Extension Technologist from the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City will present a Home Composting workshop on Thursday, May 27th from 10:00-11:30.

Compost is every gardener¹s best friend. We will teach you how to make compost using either the hot or cold approach as well as cover several different types of composters available. We will also construct a compost bin that is easy to build and affordable. To top the morning off we will also cover vermiculture or the process of composting with worms.

The Cass County Extension office is located at 8400 144th Street, three miles north of Weeping Water on the Cass County Fairgrounds. The workshop is offered free to anyone who is interested; no need to pre-register.

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A Local Issue Prompts a New State Policy

May 7, 2010, Lincoln - This week and next I want to describe how the four legislative elements - people, process, policy and politics - can all be woven into and around an issue, and influence the resulting legislative action. My report begins with a well-established policy and the Cass County residents it affected. It ends with a new state policy that will grant some new rights to private landowners in Nebraska for many years to come.

In the fall of 2008 I learned that land acquisition for the proposed MoPac Trail extension would include the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD)'s use of eminent domain to take property from more than 20 private landowners. The proposal also called for the trail to cross county roads several times, and this worried Cass County Commissioners. There was no doubt that the LPSNRD had the right to develop trails and use eminent domain in an unfettered way, because both rights were granted to natural resources districts (NRDs) by previous legislatures.

Eminent domain is one of the most powerful tools a unit of government can have, and private citizens seldom have any way to prevent its use. While few would argue that recreational trails serve a good public purpose and are enjoyed by many people, the planned use of eminent domain to take private land for a trail prompted a policy question about the use of this power for a non-essential purpose. An examination of our current laws seemed appropriate, because the supply of abandoned railroad lines that were once used as trail beds has been exhausted, so future trails, especially those designed to cross rural areas and connect urban centers in densely populated areas of eastern Nebraska, are likely to need private land for their development.

In 2009 I introduced LB 134 to eliminate the use of eminent domain by NRDs for optional recreational trails projects while maintaining the power for necessary flood control structures. This bill became the first of several steps in a two-year effort to develop a more equitable way for trail development to occur in our state. Responses to LB 134 ranged from enthusiastic support to strong opposition, but many of my fellow lawmakers voiced opinions, asked questions and proposed modifications, all of which indicated they needed more time and information before developing a position on the bill. I used maps, pictures and talking points to engage my colleagues in one-on-one discussions of the problem that arose in Cass County and the potential for it to occur in other parts of the state.

Clarification about what prompted the introduction of LB 134 helped some senators to tentatively move toward support for the bill. Although they expressed concern about the local situation in our legislative district, for personal reasons or because of opposition from constituents and special interest groups, other senators remained dubious and unwilling to commit to an aye vote on LB 134. Two senators suggested alternatives to the outright repeal of the use of eminent domain for trail development. Although neither suggestion produced a desirable solution in the end, it was important to listen and carefully consider their ideas. Being open-minded and willing to compromise is the best way to encourage on-going collaboration in the future. I have learned that this approach can be the key to working effectively in the legislature. At this point it was unclear how LB 134 would fare during floor debate.

Meanwhile, the LPSNRD and the Cass County Board began discussions about an alternate trail route. LB 134 became a bargaining tool in an effort to convince the NRD Board to approve a moratorium on the original route through the 2010 legislative session. The moratorium was approved with the understanding that I would "kill" the bill, and the Natural Resources Committee would study the use of eminent domain for recreational projects between legislative sessions. Although LB 134 had the support of a number of state senators, it would have had significant opposition in the legislature and from groups that support expanded trail development. I agreed to the moratorium, because it was the best way to offer short-term protection to the affected landowners in Cass County.

Next week I will outline the continuing efforts that created the new policy for the use of eminent domain for recreational trails.

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

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Gov. Heineman Declares May 8 - 16 as ‘See Nebraska Week'

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today kicked-off ‘See Nebraska Week,' which runs from May 8 to 16 and encourages Nebraskans and other travelers to learn more about vacation options in Nebraska. Several new tourism campaigns were developed this year to promote opportunities for summer travel across the state.

"We want to encourage more Nebraskans and their families to take advantage of travel opportunities throughout the state," Gov. Heineman said. "Visiting a site along one of our nine scenic byways or exploring our state's history on a road trip will lend the traveler not just an off-the-beaten-path experience, but a summer full of memories."

Travelers in Nebraska spent more than $3.7 billion in Nebraska on overnight trips in 2009, and annual spending in the state has increased by more than $2 billion since 1990. Nebraska's tourism industry provides more than 42,000 jobs and is the third leading industry in the state.

The Nebraska Byways Passport program highlights the many destinations along the state's scenic byways. Travelers are encouraged to pick up a souvenir passport at one of 27 participating locations along Nebraska's nine scenic byways and collect stamps from each location visited for a chance to win a prize.

The Division of Travel and Tourism has also created a program encouraging young people to help plan their family vacation. The History Along Nebraska's Byways program supplements the Nebraska history curriculum offered to fourth graders and will be distributed to 1,140 schools across the state. Designed with the help of educators, the materials include a Nebraska map with icons for various historical locations across the state, a Nebraska byway history video and classroom activities including crafts, worksheets, interactive games, and field trip activities. Subjects include state symbols, American Indians, map reading, explorers, pioneers, forts and military bases, among other topics. More information is available online at historywithtyler.com.

The division is also offering a new RVNebraska brochure with information to make the most of a trip along Nebraska's scenic byways, including details on campgrounds along byway routes and top attractions.

Nebraska remains one of the most cost-effective destinations in the nation for travelers. AAA consistently names Nebraska one of the top five most affordable vacation destinations in the United States, with average daily vacation costs for a family of four well below the national average.

Richard Baier, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said, "Nebraska offers travelers great value and great attractions. After a long winter, this summer is a good time to get out and see a new part of the state."

Travelers can find interactive maps, road trip ideas, trip planners and more online at VisitNebraska.gov.

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Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week

and See Nebraska Week May 8-16, 2010

LINCOLN, NEB. (May 6, 2010)-Load up the car, pack some snacks and get ready to rediscover the road trip this summer in Nebraska. Whether it's a drive across the state or just an hour or two away from home, Nebraska is a state where road trips are meant to be taken. Take the family to see one of the state's many famous historic monuments, tube down a lazy river or visit one of the country's best zoos: there's something here for just about anyone, and at an affordable price to boot.
During See Nebraska Week and National Travel & Tourism Week, beginning May 8, show us your Nebraska vacation memories. Submit your vintage vacation photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and tell us your memories. We'll post them online and at the end of See Nebraska Week will choose three winners to receive a special "Rediscover the Road Trip" gift bag filled with things perfect to use on the road this summer during a Nebraska vacation.
Nebraska remains one of the most affordable states in the nation for travelers. AAA consistently named Nebraska one of the top five most affordable vacation destinations in the United States, with average daily vacation costs for a family of four well below the national average.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Tourism Division offers loads of information and planning tools to help you plan your perfect trip. Take advantage of Nebraska Tourism's Group Travel Planner or Road Trip planners online. Find a day trip near your home and get there and back on one tank of gas. Find an event in a small community near your home and mark the calendar now.
If you don't have your free 2010 Nebraska Travel Guide, now's the time to order or download your copy from Nebraska's one-stop tourism shop, www.VisitNebraska.gov, where you can find road trip planners, photo galleries and fun activities to keep kids busy while you rediscover the road trip this summer in Nebraska.

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The Otoe County Genealogical Society will host it's 2nd annual 'Walk Through Wyuka' tour at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City on May 13th at 7:00 pm. Wyuka Cemetery historian, Don Hegr, will be our tour guide and will guide us through the many historical internments in Nebraska's oldest public cemetery. Don's tour will cover the history of the cemetery, and will also showcase numerous graves of Nebraska City's prominent (and sometimes not so prominent) people that are buried within the cemetery. If you would like to join us on this tour, please meet at the maintenance shed inside the cemetery at 7:00 pm. There will be someone at the main entrance of the cemetery to guide you once you arrive, and parking will be on the south side of the maintenance shed.

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THE OLD AVOCA SCHOOLHOUSE

Registration is now open for the 2010 Schoolhouse Fiddle Camps, in the Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska. Deborah Greenblatt, championship fiddler, author of many fiddle collections, will help the campers get in touch with their inner fiddler. The course of study during the Schoolhouse Fiddle Camp will be designed specifically for the individual campers who sign up.

Fiddle Camp for Beginners is Monday, June 14 - Friday, June 18. This camp includes some of the basics and fun of fiddling, such as performing in public, practice techniques, reading music, playing by ear, and jamming. Fiddling styles include bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, Klezmer, old-time, and newly composed tunes by the campers. Movement and singing are included in the experience.

Fiddle Camp for Intermediate/Advanced Fiddlers is Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 16, 2010. Campers will discuss picking tunes for contests, performing in public, practice techniques, reading music, playing by ear, playing for dancers, back-up fiddling, arranging twin fiddle pieces , and jamming. Many fiddling styles will be represented, including original compositions by the campers.

Each day is scheduled from 9 AM - 1 PM. Registration is available on line at http://www.greenblattandseay.com/.

For more information, contact Deborah Greenblatt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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UNL Extension to Offer Beef Value Cuts Program in TecumsehUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Beef Values Cuts programs will be offered May 26 in Tecumseh.

The program, designed for producers, locker owners, grocers and consumers, will help participants learn more about the value cuts that come from the chuck of a beef carcass.

Beef Value Cuts will be offered at 6 p.m. at the Johnson County 4-H Building in Tecumseh.

There will be a live cutting demonstration from the chuck roll and participants will get to sample the cuts and learn about recipes and resources.

In addition, Lisa Shaneman Brass of the Nebraska Beef Council will discuss advocacy in the beef industry, explaining why it is important for producers to share their story.

Cost for the program is $5 per person, which will cover the cost of materials and the meal.

To ensure an accurate meal count, pre-registration is required and is limited to 40 individuals per workshop date.

To pre-register for the workshop call the Johnson County Extension Office by May 24 at (402) 335-3669.

The workshops are sponsored by UNL Extension in Saunders and Johnson counties and the Nebraska Beef Council.

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Wed.,May 12:

Golf @ Lincoln Christian Invite @ 9:00 a.m.
JH ECNC Track Meet @ 10:00 a.m.
"The Lofte" auditions @ 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., May 13:

Girls & Boys Track Districts

Mon., May 17:

Golf Districts

Tues., May 18:

Golf Districts

Please let me know if you have any news that

you would like to feature in the weekly

newsletter. I would love to include any

events, news, and/or pictures for the

community to enjoy. Thank you.

Dawn Randall

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Sustaining Sponsors 2010

2010 Community Sustaining Sponsor

Weeping Water Newsletter - May 12, 2010