Stories from Monday, November 26, 2007

OBERLIN -- Amy Portschy of Herndon, Kan., and Erik Schlimmer of Volga, S.D., were united in marriage July 14, 2007, at the United Methodist Church in Oberlin, with the Revs. Doug Hasty, Dennis Brown and Gary Brethour officiating. Parents of the couple are Leon and Marita Portschy of Herndon and Leland and Virginia Schlimmer...

Brad and Amber McConville, formerly of McCook, of Omaha announce the birth of their son, Hunter James McConville on Nov. 8, 2007. He weighed 6 pounds, 8.1 ounces. His grandparents are Mary (McConville) Austin of McCook and the late James McConville and Lynn and Beth Sedlacek of North Platte. His great-grandmother is Patricia McConville of McCook...

Mike and Melissa Putman of North Platte, announce the birth of a son, Kyson Michael Putnam. He was born Nov. 7, 2007, weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21 1/2 inches in length. He has a sister, McKenzie. Grandparents are Randy and Dianna Brown of McCook; Joe Putnam of Cambridge and Angie Putnam of Cozad. Great-grandparents are Betty Davis, Lillian Brown and Bette Wurm, all of McCook, Doug Bowden and Casey Putnam, both of Cozad and the late Darla Bowden...

April 7, 1925 - Nov. 22, 2007 OBERLIN -- Freida Marie Matheny, 82, died Thursday (Nov. 22, 2007) at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born April 7, 1925, in Danbury to Francis Tauber Sr. and Pauline (Unger) Tauber. She grew up in Danbury and attended Danbury Public School...

The McCook Community College men's basketball team improved to 6-4 overall by claiming two wins and the title at the MCC Thanksgiving Chief Motel Classic. MCC defeated the William Penn Junior Varsity 87-82 Friday night and the MCC All-Stars 118-61 Saturday afternoon...

June 20, 1934 - Nov. 23, 2007 OBERLIN -- Dale A. Votapka, 73, died Friday (Nov. 23, 2007) at Oberlin. He was born June 20, 1934, in Oberlin, to Guy and Helen (Vermillion) Votapka. He grew up in Oberlin and attended Oberlin Grade School and Decatur County High School, graduating in 1952. He then attended Fort Hays State in Hays, Kan., for two years...

March 8, 1922 - Nov. 23, 2007 ARAPAHOE -- Betty M. Arrington, 85, formerly of Bartley, died Friday (Nov. 23, 2007) at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center Nursing Home in Arapahoe. She was born March 8, 1922, at Bartley, to James and Lydia M. (Arbogast) Fletcher. She was raised in Bartley and graduated from Bartley High School. She moved to Seattle, Wash., where she worked for Boeing Aircraft for several years...

May 23, 1929 - Nov. 22, 2007 MAYWOOD -- Arlo Ray "John" Norgaard, 78, of Maywood, died Thursday (Nov. 22, 2007) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. He was born May 23, 1929, in Norman, to John and Nellie (Nielsen) Norgaard. He was baptized in the Norman Lutheran Church. He graduated from Maywood High School in 1946...

The family of Joyce Olson is hosting a card shower and open house in honor of her 80th birthday. The open house will be Saturday, Dec. 1, from 3-5 p.m., at Country Kitchen in McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 704 West 14th, McCook, NE 69001.

25th anniversary Kent and Lori Hilker of McCook will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary today. They were married Nov. 26, 1982, in McCook. Their children are Amanda and husband, Cody Dame, Shane Hilker and Keri Hilker, all of McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 1104 Westridge Pkwy, McCook, NE 69001.

28th anniversary Dave and Faye (Lytle) Dunworth, formerly of McCook, now of Mesa, Ariz., celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary Nov. 17. They were married in 1979, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in McCook. Children of the couple are Sarah Marie, Lisa Michelle and Michael James, all of Mesa. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 7520 East Capri Ave. Mesa AZ. 85208.

The family of Merlin Krieger is hosting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born Dec. 3, 1927, in McCook. His family includes his wife, Betty Krieger of McCook and children, Linda and husband, Jim Shaw of Smith, Nev., Betty and husband, Roger Brush of McCook and Debbi and husband, Jim Jenkins of McCook. He has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 1302 West J Street, McCook, NE 69001...

The University of Nebraska has big plans for the space now occupied by State Fair Park in Lincoln, and we can't blame them. Situated between the city and east campuses of UNL, the land would be ideal for a proposed "Nebraska Innovation Park," covering about a million square feet of private and support services space and 623,000 square feet of public research space...

Take a drive up and down Norris Avenue. Look at the new, brightly painted signs on Santa Claus Lane. Then take out your pen and paper and write a thank you note to Debbon McConnell. It was this young woman who, free of charge, took on the task of painting signs to take the place of the old, worn Santa Lane scenes, some of which had been in use for more than half a century...

1872 was an eventful year in Southwest Nebraska. That was the year that Frontier County was officially organized. It was also the year of the great Grand Duke Alexis buffalo hunt near Hayes Center, and it was the year that W. T. "Doc" Carver took out his claim on land near Wolf's Rest (present day Holbrook)...

CULBERTSON -- A Palisade woman died Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident blamed on snow-covered roads. Lena Mihm, 91, died at Community Hospital of McCook. An accident report by Nebraska State Patrol Trooper J. Van Stelton indicates that Mihm lost control of her westbound SUV on snow-covered roads, it crossed the center lane of U.S. Highway 6-34, about 3:30 p.m., at mile marker 73, on the hill west of Culbertson, and it struck on oncoming SUV driven by James Majors, 58, of Wauneta...