Banner community news

Good morning everyone, friends and neighbors near and far! With the exception of a few cool days the weather has started acting like maybe spring is on her way. This morning there was the biggest, fattest Robin in my yard, made my day.

We are all dealing with the wind and tumble weeds, and how about all of that snow melt? My gosh, roads are washed out all over and fields have become ponds, if not lakes! My friend Kelly was talking about ducks in water by their place, in what actually is a wheat field. Probably quite a lot of that.

Banner County is sorry to loose yet another one of our community members with the passing away of Jim Neal. Our sympathy goes out to Suzie and the rest of the family. A year or two ago Jim joined forces with Rod and they began a ‘rope tying/braiding club.’ Jim was extremely talented in this area, he was 90 years young. We will miss him.

Another neighbor and former Banner County resident who has recently passed away is Betty Johnson, mother of Gary Johnson and wife of the late Norman Johnson. Our sympathy also goes out to all of you and yours.

Things at the Banner County School have slowed down somewhat, or at least some events are being completed while others begin. The Spelling Bee that was held recently resulted in an eighth grade state qualifier, Sierra Flores, congratulations Sierra! In the ‘Hoops for Heart’ fund raising drive Breana McGowan was the top fund raiser with over $500 earned. The set goal for this event was $1,500 and was exceeded at $ 2,282. Mrs. Hilbert is the sponsor for this and we thank her and all who gave and collected for The American Heart Association. If you were at a recent basketball game, Cats vs. Potter/Dix Coyotes, (great game that we fought hard to win) you couldn’t help but notice that folks from both schools were sporting bright pink tee shirts. This included team players, both girls and boys, parents, patrons, young and not so young. This was called the ‘Pink Out Game’ and was a joint effort of both schools, hosted by the Banner County High Student Council as a fund raiser where the profits will go to the Breast Health Center to help local women who have breast cancer.

March 7, representatives from Regional West Medical Center, including past BCHS graduates, David Griffiths and Kyla Ansley, came to the school to accept the donation and take pictures. Now for the latest on the FFA students: the District contest was held at Kimball recently and our results were: Meat Judging Team placed 1st out of 12 teams; Out of 50 individuals Christina Grubbs second, Kaden Huber third,Ben Hostetler 12th, and Ashlynne Hanan 15th. The Agronomy Team placed 4th out of 11 teams. Out of 32 individuals Tyson Dahlgrin and Daniel Taggart tied for eighth; Garrett Grubbs 11th, Taylor Evans 15th, Brenten Soule 16th, and Paige Cross 22nd. This was the final District contest.

These following Banner County teams qualified for the State Convention, April 9-11: Ag mechanics, Livestock Management, Agronomy, and Meat Judging. Dalle Ruthledge has also qualified in Job Interview. We wish all contestants to do their best! Great job Mr. Gifford. Speech continues and at the recent MAC Speech meet the following students placed: Megan Coffman, Ashlynne Hanan, and Dalle Ruthledge. Great jobs girls and thank you Mr. & Mrs. Cooper! Track season has started with practice and basketball is a thing of the past, Except for the 5th-8th grade traveling basketball team tournaments which have been taking place over the last 3/4 weeks. This weekend our girls were in Bridgeport, Bayard, & Bayard. I think we will be in the Mitchell/Morrill area this upcoming weekend. Pray for me will you? For strength to keep up and going!

The Harrisburg Community Church will have its annual Saturday Clean-Up soon, and I cannot remember the date. Sometime in March, so maybe ask Ken when you can catch him! Banner Birthdays this week include: Mark Knaub, Kenny Stauffer, Cade Cross, Linda Barrett, Trenton Elsen Joel Cross, Pat Mooney and Ryan Olsen, Happy Birthday! Anniversary couples are Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Baker & Mr. & Mrs. Brad Cross, congratulations! Most of you are aware that this years Cattlemen’s Ball will be held at the Hoot Owl Ranch here in Banner County. This ranch is the property of Jeff and Kathy May who will host the event along with ranch manger Kenny Stauffer and his wife Misty. Ninety percent of the profits from this adventure will go to cancer research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Caner Research Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with the remaining 10 percent earmarked toward regional medical organizations, this event is also a promotion for beef in a healthy diet. They need volunteers and you may call 308-235-2289 for ticket information, or volunteer info. The Ball will take place June 6-7.

At the Midwest Theater for this week the movie ‘Philomena’ will be playing, March 14-16. The time for the first two evenings will be 7:30 p.m. & the Sunday matinee will begin at 1:30 p.m. This film is about a child who was given up for adoption and the birth mothers search for her long-lost son many years later. It is rated PG. The following Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. the E .N. Thompson Forum will present “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization”.

Down south, in Kimball the Kimball Community Lenten Luncheons will be held every Wednesday from this Wednesday through April 9. Each will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 600 W. Seventh St. A short devotional will begin each time at 12:15 p.m. and the lunch will run 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item as your admission fee, and feel free to donate to the free will offering which will help the local food pantry.

The host for the March 12 lunch was Presbyterian & St. Hildas Espiscopel Churches, and the host for the March 19 lunch will be the Calvary & Trinity United Methodist Churches. The Kimball Lions Club Bowling Tournament will be starting soon and is a nine pin no top tournament/ singles and doubles at the Kim Bowl, 208 s. Birch Street. It will be held March 14 7 p.m.; March15 at 1 p.m.,3:30 p.m .and 6 p.m.; March 16 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost is $20 per bowler, per event for three games each event. Please call 308-235-4301 for more information.

On Monday, the Kimball/Banner County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet at the Eagles Club, 218 S. Chestnut. Cost is $30 each or $28 each for reserved tables of eight or more. Time is 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Also in Kimball on March 17 at 6:30 p.m. there will an organizational meeting at the Kimball County Annex, 209 E 3rd street, upper level for an Emergency Medical Class. The classes themselves will begin March 31 and run two nights a week 6:30- 10:00 p.m. with a total of 55 hours with a cost of $200. Book and workbook is $150. Final written & practical test then sit for a National Registry Test which will cost $70. Once you pass & join a service, there is a possibility of getting the cost of the class reimbursed from the State of Nebraska. All of this happening on Monday, and you all know what day that is, right? Saint Patrick’s Day! Beware of those leprechaun type guys....red hair & beards, green jackets, pretty handy with a hammer & shoe repair! I here they are loaded, protective of their pots of gold, and a little ornery!Have a great week, take care and until next time, 436-7152, 641-1335, or [email protected]. Barb Cross ( Mrs. Rod )