Happy Birthday Ben Willey!
It is hard to believe that Ben is going to be 4 years old on March 20th. We really appreciate all the love and support that both the Elmwood and Murdock communities have given to our family.
When we first got Ben’s diagnosis of Down syndrome, we were worried about him being accepted and having friends. Those fears were soon put to rest as we attended community events. He is welcomed with smiles, high fives or waves wherever we go and Ben is usually more than happy to return the gesture. While we have been blessed with such great community support, not everyone is so lucky.
We would like to invite everyone to help us celebrate Ben’s Birthday by standing up for all individuals with intellectual disabilities. Today is an important day that has been designated by the Special Olympics organization as Spread the Word to End the Word Day. Spread the Word to End the Word is an on-going effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We’re asking every person - young and old - to help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word–a common taunt used to make fun of others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that is clumsy, hapless, and even hopeless. But whether intentional or not, the word conjures up a painful stereotype of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It hurts. Even if you don’t mean it that way.
While many of our elementary students already took this pledge last year at school, this year we would like to extend the invitation to the rest of the community. Thank you for your continued support, and for helping us to celebrate Ben’s Birthday!
The Willey Family
Science Fair was tons of fun!
Students from kindergarten to sixth grade participate and it is fun every year to see the unique ideas that they come up with. Sometimes the ideas are the same as previous years but each student puts different spin on it so they are all different.
Alvo UMC is having their annual Country Music Show March 17. Starts at 10 (some musicians show up earlier than scheduled to warm up.) Generally goes till around 4, (Or till the group with the amp has to go.) usually with some jamming at the end.The Show itself is good will donations. Lunch is served downstairs. (Pay for what you pick up.) Free coffee, tea, water to performers (who donate their time.)
Kitchen Witches Opens at Mahoney
KBC Productions will be opening its spring production of "The Kitchen Witches" at Mahoney State Park's Kountze Theater on Saturday, March 10. Isobel and Dolly are two middle-aged cable TV cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for years. When circumstances put them together on the same TV show, the insults are flung harder than the food!
Starring in the production as the two feisty food flingers are Shari Hoelker of Omaha and Melinda Mead of Plattsmouth. Cory Misek of Lincoln plays Dolly's long-suffering son. Marikita Saure of Lincoln is also in the show. The play is directed by Kevin Colbert.
Show dates for the production are March 10, 11, 16-18, 23-25, 30, 31, April 1, 7, 13-15, 20 and 22. Curtain time is 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday performances are 2pm matinees. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Please call (402)944-2523 ext 7122 for reservations.
KBC productions also noted that the "Mahoney Grill" is now open. The park's restaurant is under new management with a new menu. Those that attend the shows will now have the opportunity to try the new fare before or after the play.
Pictured on Attachment: Shari Hoelker of Omaha and Melinda Mead of Plattsmouth star as two bitter cooking-show rivals in "The Kitchen Witches" at Mahoney State Park.
Volunteer Recognition at the Lofte Community Theatre
The Lofte Community Theatre in Manley held its annual volunteer recognition and awards banquet on Saturday, February 25th. Nearly one hundred people attended the event which began with a complimentary meal provided by the Lofte's Board of Directors.
The Dale Crosby Awards were given to those individuals who showed outstanding service to the Lofte during 2011. The honor is named after long-time Lofte chairman, Dale Crosby of Weeping Water whose dedication to the Lofte was an inspiration to others. David Willingham of Plattsmouth was honored for his technical contributions to the Lofte. Mr. Willingham ran lights and soundboard for three of the Lofte's five productions last year. Joyce Sporhase of Tecumseh received the Outstanding Usher award. Mike Bose of Avoca received the top award for Overall Outstanding Volunteer for his many contributions at the theater including landscaping, maintenance and popping popcorn.
Elections were held for the Lofte's Board of Directors. Serving on the board for 2012 are Dee Arias, Jamion Biesterfeld, Lynn Plucknett and Anne Riha all from Louisville; Millard Carnes and Melinda Mead of Plattsmouth; Jean Colbert and Kevin Colbert of Weeping Water; David Hibler and Kevin Holdorf of Manley, Linda Dabbs and Ken Patry of Omaha, Jeff Johnston and Tim Sorensen of Elmwood; Jean Wymore of Syracuse, Silvia Conley of Papillion and Anne Pope of Eagle.
Artistic Director Kevin Colbert reminded attendees that shows for the Lofte's 2012 season are, "The Sunshine Boys," "Singin' In The Rain," "Almost, Maine," "Whose Wives Are They Anyway?" and "Christmas at Leon's." Mr. Colbert went on to announce his play selections for 2013 which were, "The Dixie Swim Club," "The Producers," "The Boys Next Door," "Church Basement Ladies," and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
Board Chairman Anne Pope thanked everyone for attending and for the many volunteer hours that they donate to the Lofte each and every year. She went on to say that she hoped to see everyone back at the Lofte for the new season which begins in May.
Congratulations to the 6th Grade Boys for winning the Wahoo Tournament!
Bulldogs Bar & Grill
301 Nebraska St. Murdock, NE 68407
(402) 867-9191
Party Like a Leprechaun
St. Patty’s Day, Sat. March 17th
Live Music No cover charge
SLICK FICTION
ShamROCKS the House
All you can eat corned beef & cabbage all day
Ladies drink for $1.00 7pm-10:30pm
Hourly give-a-ways start at 8pm
At long last the wait is over for Kevin and Lisa Hynes. They broke ground on their new house this week on the northeast edge of Murdock. It will be fun to watch the progress of the house going up!
It's amazing what can be accomplished in one day! Months and months of planning led to this hole.
Yes, Lisa, that is your new kitchen.
It looks little from here.
RECYCLE TRAILER AVAILABLE IN ELMWOOD!
Murdock doesn't have a recycle trailer anymore but if you are driving through Elmwood please feel free to drop off your recyclables in the Elmwood Recycle Trailer.
KNIGHTLY NEWS from the Elmwood Murdock School:
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Mar. 1 - No school – Spring Break
Mar. 2 – No school Spring Break
Mar. 5 – D.A.R.E. parent meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the elementary library. This meeting is for parents only.
Mar. 5 – Cub Scout Meeting at 6:30 at the elementary school.
Mar. 7 – CAPOW Science Assembly for the elementary at 10:00 a.m.
Mar. 8 – No school – Spring Break
Mar. 9 – No school – Spring Break
CAPOW SCIENCE ASSEMBLY
The high school science club is sponsoring a science assembly for the elementary on March 7, 2012. It will be at 10:00 a.m. Professors from UNO will be conducting the assembly. This is part of their CAPOW (Chemistry And Physics On Wheels) program. You may find more about CAPOW at the following website: http://www.physics.unomaha.edu/Capow/
CHILDCARE
We are no longer offering after school childcare and do not plan to offer this service next year. We also will not be offering the Summer Knights Childcare Program this summer.
MONSANTO GRANT
Attention Area Farmers: Elmwood-Murdock Schools have been nominated to apply for a grant
through a Monsanto Fund, called, “America’s Farmer Grow Rural Education”. It is a locally focused
initiative to help strengthen math and science education in rural America. The program allows
farmers to nominate a public school district to compete for grants of either $10,000 or $25,000.
At this time we are asking for your assistance in continuing the nominating process. The
more nominations we receive the greater the chance we will have of receiving the grant. You
may pick up forms at the following locations: the local Co-ops, Corn Grower State Bank, the
American Exchange Bank, the convenience store at Elmwood, both the Elementary School in
Elmwood, and JR/SR High School in Murdock, and the Elmwood and Murdock Post Offices.
Nomination forms will be available on our school website at www.growruraleducationcom .
For questions you may call either (402)994-2125 or (402)867-2341. We thank you in advance
for all of your continued help and support of our school district.
(Continued)
SPRING CARNIVAL NEWS
The S.O.S. Spring Carnival is scheduled for Friday, April 13, 2012. This is our major fundraiser for the year. If any parents work or frequent places where donations may be possible, please contact an S.O.S. member. We can either contact the business or provide a letter for the parent to use when asking for a donation.
SPRING CARNIVAL BASKETS
Teachers have selected the themes for their class baskets. Please bring any items related to the theme to school so that we can begin to create baskets for the auction. Thank you for your participation!
Pre-school Mrs. Schroll - Everything Barbie & Hot Wheels
Kindergarten Mrs. Cook/Mrs. Vice- Rainy Day
1st Grade Mrs. Roth/Mrs. Drueke - Scrapbooking
2nd Grade Mrs. Oehlerking - Everything Nebraska-
3rd Grade Mrs. Bacon - Petite Picasso
4th Grade Mrs. Backemeyer - Lego Lover
4th Grade Mrs. Justus - A Day at the Beach
5th Grade Mr. Johnston - Coffee Break
5th Grade Mr. Frerichs - Wide World of Sports
6th Grade Mrs. Kuhlman - Backyard BBQ
6th Grade Mrs. Paulsen - Pamper Yourself
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Registration is scheduled for March 23, 2012. There are two sessions scheduled. There will be a session from 9:00-10:30 a.m. and a session from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Information has been mailed to the parents of eligible children. Please contact the office if you did not receive Kindergarten Registration information or have any questions regarding Kindergarten Registration..
SCRAP MARATHON
Time: 9 a.m. to midnight
Date: March 24, 2012
Where: Elementary School at Elmwood
Cost: $35 or $40 if you need electricity – If you register early it is $30 and $35 with electricity – Please register by March 16, 2012 to guarantee you a spot and food. Send check and information to Kristy or Julie.
Points of Contact: Kristy Miller – (402) 994-2545 - 28805 Holdrege St., Elmwood, NE 68349 or Julie Synovec – (402) 867-2267 - Box 142, Murdock NE 68407
All proceeds will go to help fund Post Prom.
BLOOD DRIVE Thursday, March 15, Elmwood-Murdock High School will host their annual spring blood drive to raise scholarship funds through the American Red Cross Scholarship Program.
Last year, Elmwood-Murdock received $250 in scholarship funds, while helping many patients across southeast Nebraska. Approximately 1,000 units of life-saving blood products are needed every week for emergencies, cancer treatments and surgeries. Blood drives are vital in helping the Red Cross meet those needs. All high school blood drives meeting goal are eligible for scholarship monies which are awarded in the spring. Last year’s scholarship recipient was Kolbi Furgerson.
Faculty, staff and family are encouraged to join students in support of Elmwood-Murdock High School and help raise scholarship funds. The March 15th drive will be from 2:30pm to 7:00pm. To sign up for an appointment, contact Deanna Vavak at 867-2341 or at
Community Sustaining Sponsors 2012
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2012 Community Sustaining Sponsor
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