A busy week on the Golden Plains

Thumbing though the pages of community newspapers in the Golden Plains, you find ample evidence of the active lifestyles of this area's residents. This week is typical, as shown by these headline news happenings:

DR. BEYER HONORED -- Patients and friends from throughout Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas were thrilled to hear this week of a statewide honor for Emanuel Beyer, M.D., of Benkelman. In their lead front page story, the Benkelman Post & News-Chronicle announced that Dr. Beyer has been named Nebraska's "Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner for 2004." The award was made Sept. 8 at the annual convention of the Nebraska Rural Health Association. Phyllis Gardner of Benkelman, who nominated Dr. Beyer for the award, said the selection committee was impressed by the way Dr. Beyer came back to serve patients after he underwent a heart transplant in April of 2003. Dr. Beyer served as a physician in McCook for 27 years before moving to Benkelman in 1995. The award is well deserved by a medical practitioner who has dedicated his life to serving patients in Southwest Nebraska.

BEEF GRAND CHAMPION -- The Arapahoe area continues to distinguish itself for market beef excellence. The latest honor was received by Natasha Riley, who showed the 2004 Grand Champion Market Beef animal for the FFA Division of the Nebraska State Fair. The Arapahoe Public Mirror reports that Natasha's Maine steer, Magic Man, has won top honors at 12 Junior Nebraska Cattlemen breed shows this summer in Nebraska and Kansas. Natasha is the daughter of Darrell and Patricia Riley. She attends the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

ATWOOD PLANS FOR 125TH -- It doesn't seem so long ago that towns in the area were celebrating their centennials. But, quickly, the years have rolled by and long established communities are now getting ready for their 125th anniversaries. One of the first is Atwood, which has begun meeting to make plans for their 125th celebration, which will take place on Labor Day Weekend in 2005. In conjunction with the celebration, the Rawlins County Square Deal of Atwood is collecting old photographs for use in a special 125th Anniversary Edition.

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In other area news, the Cambridge Clarion reports the City of Cambridge is studying a plan to extend electrical service to the ethanol plant, and the Hitchcock County News reports the Massacre Canyon Tourist Center greeted 1,526 visitors during the Memorial Day to Labor Day season.

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Yes, lots is happening in the Golden Plains, and -- from the looks of things -- the active pace in going to continue. This is not only the place for the Good Life ... it's a place for active involvement in community activities.