Banner community news

Forecast says it will warm up quite a lot in the next week. All I am going to say about that. Guess I am really tired of this and ready for spring!

Speaking of winter and the cold, the Winter Royality Dance was held at the Banner County School this past Saturday. Crowned Queen was Dalle Rutledge and King was Wyatt Nielsen. Junior class attendants were Juewl Simonton and Kadan Huber; sophomore attendants were Paige Cross and Cole Carey and freshman attendants were Savannaha Jordan and Cole Blanke. Congratulations! Valentine parties for the elementary were held on Wednesday because Today Banner County School will dismiss students at 12:20 p.m.

Parent-Teacher conferences have been scheduled through out the day and until 8 p.m. A meal will be served to staff and patrons. The students will be out of school until Wednesday, but staff will return on Monday. Staff will be busy with in-service meetings and curriculum work. Many sports activities are scheduled during this break for the students. Beginning today the junior high basketball team will travel to Oshkosh to begin the MAC tournament. Other teams are scheduled to play before them, so you might be able to get a tentative game time by calling the school at 436-5262. Depending on how they play, they are to return Saturday and finish the MAC tourney. Good look and safe travel!

On Friday the high school wrestling team will have District completion in North Platte. This will continue through Saturday and I wish them safe travel and great strength. Plenty of aspirin for the brave coaches, Bill Gifford & Martin Olsen! On Friday the high school basketball teams will be traveling to Lingle-Ft. Laramie for play at 4 p.m. I wish them safe travel and good luck also. Also on Saturday the kids involved in 4-H have steer weigh in at the Kimball-Banner Fair Grounds. Gritters may be weighed 9-11 a.m. Snow date is Feb. 22. The Central Banner 4-H Club will hold its regular meeting on Sunday. The meeting will be held in the school cafeteria at 4 p.m. If you are not a current member and have turned 8 years old by the first of January, or of course if you are older, please come and join us!

High school girls sub-districts will begin on Monday and will continue on Tuesday and Feb. 20. Depending on how we play, dates and times will vary. Please call the school at 436-5262 for more information. State wrestling for qualifiers will begin in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 20 and of course we will have to wait on that one. The Spelling Bee for grades 1-8 will be held in the school gym on Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. and everyone is invited to watch and help support our students.

Banner Birthdays include: Irene Coen, Roger Morris, Eric Zimmerman, Rylee McGowan, Charity May, Rita Stauffer, Brittany Cooper, Ken Boston, Hannah Brown, Tom Wayman, John Jones and Jennifer Havengar. Happy Birthday! Anniversary congratulations go out to Mr. & Mrs. Tom Neal, Ron Barrett, and Denny DeNovellis.

Up North, in the valley some folks enjoyed the concert over Valentine’s Day at the Midwest Theater featuring John Michael Montgomery. I was not one of them. Not by choice. That was on Thursday and Friday.

At the Theater on Saturday there will be an Academy Nominated Short Program. Oscar nominated shorts that will be shown are ‘Get a Horse’, ‘Mr. Hubot’, ‘Feral’, ‘Possessions’ and ‘Room on the Broom.’ These are animated shorts and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Continuing on Sunday the Scotts Bluff County TeamMates and the Midwest Theater will join forces to bring in ‘Girl Rising.’ This film spotlights the stories of Nine unforgettable girls born into unforgiving circumstances. A portion of ticket sales will go to support girl’s programs around the world through the 10x10 Fund for Girl’s Education. I didn’t have a time for this one but the rating is PG. Also on Saturday, February 15th the Bandana Benefit Ball will be held at the Gering Civic Center. Tickets are available at the F.A.R.M & Ranch Museum or from their board members. The Museum is currently open M-F, 9am. -4 p.m. You may also call for more information at 436-1989. Plenty going on, that is for sure. Have a super great week and take care. Until next time call 436-7152, 641-1335, or mail me at [email protected]. Barb Cross ( Mrs. Rod) This news is carried in the Western Nebraska Observer and the Pine Bluffs Post. It is no longer carried in the Gering Courier. I was asked about that last week, so wanted to let you all know.