Autism Support Group meets Sunday afternoon KEARNEY The Kearney Autism Support Group will meet from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church at 4500—Linden Dr. The group shares ideas, experiences and techniques used in living with the autism diagnosis. For more infor- autismnebraska.org.autismnebraska. org. Lincoln native Pat Ayars dies in Wichita Lincoln Journal Star Doug, secretary-treasurer of Ayars impact on this community.” R. Patrick Ayars, a Lincoln na-tive and Ayars, though he gave up own-ership Oxford chief operating officer and prominent businessman interest in the company. He Jason Wiley said in a statement, in Wichita, Kan., died Wednesday and his brother Mike continued to “In recent months, Pat had posi-tioned of complications from cancer. hunt and fish together, Doug said. the company to transition Better known After years as the public face of his responsibilities so that his vi-sion Pat, Ayars Key Construction, he lost his po-sition for Oxford would continue as was president January long gone. president and co-founder as vice in after he was He en-sured 2010 a move that the Wichita this company would never of Oxford Eagle newspaper reported sprang hinge just person, Senior Living. He on one but no philosophical fully. would have been from differences. one could ever fill his shoes Oxford, 56 on Friday. He then started a senior Pat was a tremendous motivator living —operating and development and visionary.” Services will be Ayars company that has properties David Harris, president and CEO Wednesday at 11 in 11 Wichita, Wyoming andand Texas. at RelianzBank, said he and Ayars a. m. at St. Mark United Method-ist Ayars andand Ayars was primary con-tractorcon- shared a love of Nebraska football. ist Church at 1525 N. Lorraine Ave. tractor on somesome Oxford develop-develop-ments, “He was a very decisive person,” in Wichita. ments, Doug Ayars said. Harris said.“ He knew the path Ayars graduated fromfrom Lincoln The Oxford website described that things should go whether Northeast High School in 1976 Pat Ayars as“as "anan entrepreneur-entrepreneur-ial everybody else agreed or not.” and the University of Nebraska- ial visionary andand accomplished “Pat was a hard charging indi-vidual LincolnLincoln inin 1980, with a construc-tionconstruc- senior executive with expertise who also was very compas-sionate,” tion management major. He and in business development, strate-strate-gic said Slawson Cos. broker his twin brother, Mike, incorpo-ratedincorpo- gic planning, marketing, project Jerry Jones via email.“ He lent a rated Ayars and Ayars, the Lincoln management and development."development.” helping hand to untold numbers constructionconstruction company, in 1985. The Wichita Eagle reported he of people in need. He was a world PatPat Ayars left the company was a beloved and valued member class marketer who had great in-in-fluence Funk; father, Ray Ayars; brothers, in 1998 andand moved to Wichita, of the WichitaWichita community.community. fluence inin the way Wichita has Mike Ayars (Cristy Joy) and Doug where he eventually went to work He was“was "anan eternal optimist,"optimist,” developed over thethe pastpast 15 years. (JoAnne) Ayars; and sister, Lori forfor Key Construction. said Coryanne Graham, marketing He will bebe sorely missed.”missed." (Bill)Luedtke. He remained close to his family and brand manager at Oxford Se-niorSe- Kevass Harding saidsaid he knew Carrie Renger of the Wichita Eagle con- in Lincoln, said his younger brother nior Living.Living.“"PatPat hadhad tremendous that impact personally. tributed to this report. McCune Peggy McCune said her James.“ Man With a Horn” husbandhusband usedused to jokejoke that by James was one of Mc- “I"I used to play in night-night-clubs, Cune’s favorites to play. clubs, and now I'mI’m mostly “You could hear a lot of playingplaying for funerals.”funerals." their playing in his playing, He made that deep of a his sound the love of big connectionconnection with so many band music,” Haist said. people, she said. When But he’d play nearly any-thing newsnews of McCune’sMcCune's death the Beatles, Three beganbegan to spread toto locallocal Dog Night,— jazz, easy lis-tening musicians,musicians, theythey started at the Aku Tiki callingcalling Roper and Sons toto Lounge — eveverything,erything, that offer to play at his service. is, except— Hawaiian music. McCune is survived byby For about five years, some-timessome- his wife, twotwo siblings,siblings, five times six—nights a week and children and grand-grand-children. easily five hours night, TRAVIS BECK/ File photo for the Lincoln Journal Star children and 10 five— hours a Mac McCune plays at the 22nd annual Malley Keelan & Friends Christ-mastide children. ThereThere will bebe a The Mac Five was the house Celebration at Rosemont Alliance Church in Lincoln in 2009. memorial service Monday bandband at thethe Aku Tiki. The at 1 p.m.p. m. at Trinity United players behind McCune Longtime trumpeter Methodist Church, where changed during the run, but local he and Peggy McCune werewere his trumpet was featured in members. every performance. Mac’ McCune dies at 79 Though Mac McCune “He"He knew everybody servedserved on thethe board forfor thethe that walked into thatthat door,"door,” By CORY MATTESON bass player Keith Heckman said. Nebraska Council on Al-coholism,Al- bassmanbassman Heckman said. Lincoln Journal Star And they sounded great too, as coholism, Peggy McCune “He"He knew what their favor-itefavor- During its heyday, the Aku long as they stayed out of the saidsaid her husband enjoyed ite number was.was. He knew ‘ Lounge Villager way of Mac McCune and his rememberingremembering the din inin thethe the name of theirtheir kids. He Tiki in the Ho-tel was Lincoln’s premier singles trumpet. nightclubnightclub and the sound of was aa goodgood showman. He bar, sometimes for people who Marlin Keith“ Mac” McCune iceice tinklingtinkling inin glasses, if not knew how toto make people weren’t necessarily single. Mar-ried died Thursday in Lincoln, just the taste of the drinks. Mc- feel good. It was aa natural couples, single Lincoln-ites, weeks after being diagnosed with Cune himself was sober for thing forfor him.him. He didn'tdidn’t business types in town for colon cancer and about a month more than three decades. have to work at it.”it." a weekend the lounge wel-comed after performing his final show, "(The“( The Aku Tiki) becamebecame AsAs recently as lastlast year, all kinds. a First Friday jazz concert at First the place to go,"go,” Mac Mc- Heckman played with Mc- There were tropical drinks Lutheran Church. He was 79. Cune told the Journal Star Cune at an invitation-only to match the Polynesian de-cor, McCune and his wife, Peggy, in 1999.“1999. "ItIt only seated 75 and, for —a five-year stretch had moved to Branson, Mo., a people, butbut there was usu-usu-ally beginning in 1969, one band few years ago, but came back to ally 150 or so in there. It’sIt's owned the little pie graph quad-rant Lincoln frequently to see fam-ily hardhard to explain the whys of a stage at the Aku Tiki. It and so that Mac could play of it.it. Everything just jelled didn’t play Hawaiian music. at church concerts or more inti-mate together.together. Maybe it was thethe But The Mac Five would do events. music,music, the locationlocation and thethe atmosphere."atmosphere.” just about anything else, former See McCune, Page B2 FellowFellow musicians give him more credit than that. “He was just a joy to lis-ten to,” said Dean Haist, a fellow Lincoln trumpeter who booked McCune’s dix-ieland shows at Brewsky’s. Even when he played blues numbers, you could tell he was happy to be playing them, Haist said. McCune grew up in Kansas a fan of the big band sound of Louis Armstrong and Harry James — especially knew Mac McCune from his day job selling clothes at Simon’s, but hadn’t re-ally talked with him un-til they found a corner to have a coffee one Friday night when she had gone to Aku Tiki with some fellow singles. She said she thought about him through the weekend. They began dat-ing soon after, but didn’t get married for another five years. Perhaps it was because they’d both been previously married, she said, and they were unsure. They’d been married 38 years when Mac McCune died Thursday. “He’s been my soul mate,” she said. Reach Cory Matteson at 402-473- 7438 or cmatteson@[email protected]. com, oror followfollow him on Twitter atat @ LJSMatteson.USMatteson. News Lincoln’s Citywide Source for Community March 15 through March 21, 2014 Volume 24 Issue 38 Classes to show how to use your giftsgifts What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than what is wrong with people? St. Mark’sMark's United Methodist Church is offer-ingoffer- ing aa classclass thatthat will help you findfind that answer.“answer. "Liv-Liv-ing ing Your Strengths”Strengths" isis a two-week class March 22 & tion contact Joanne Bell at 29 from 8:8:3030 a.a.m.m. to noon (402)489-8885. Pre-register by March 25 for LWCC Fashion Show, Luncheon Lincoln Women’s Pre-register by March Chamber of Commerce 25 by sending payment will hold its annual Fash-ion to LWCC, 237 South Show and Luncheon 70th Street, Suite 206, on Saturday, April 5 at Lincoln, NE 68510 or call Christ United Methodist Cindy at ( 402) 310-8951 Church 4530 A St. or Sue at ( 402) 310-8953. On-site registration is The LWCC will use at 11 a. m.; the luncheon proceeds from the fun-draiser and fashion show will be to cover scholar-ships 11: 30 a. m. to 1: 30 p. m. at Southeast Com-munity Clothing will be provided College, Lincoln, by the Coldwater Creek for books and equip-ment store in SouthPointe for non-traditional Pavilions. female students. Union Bank & Trust promotes Pfenning Union Bank & Trust recently promoted Rita Pfenning to vice president Customer Service. Pfenning joined the - bank in 2000 and has over 38 years of banking experi-ence. With her promotion, she oversees and leads the retail and lending aspects of six Lincoln branches and manages the FAIR team. A graduate of Wayne State College, Pfenning earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Merchandising. She has served as chairman on the executive committee of the Nebraska Bankers Associa-tion and currently serves on the Education Advisory Committee. Pfenning vol-unteers on the hospitality ministry team at St. Marks United Methodist Church. Union Bank & Trust Company is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that o ers complete banking, lending,~ investment and trust services. The bank has 36 full service and loan pro-duction o~ ces in Nebraska and Kansas. In addition to Lincoln and Omaha, branches are located in nineteen Nebraska commu-nities and the Kansas City metro area. It is the third largest privately-owned bank in Nebraska with bankbank assetsassets of $2.8$ 2.8 billionbillion and trust assets of $$12.812.8 billion asas of December 31,31,2013.2013. United Methodists in Adams praying for their Pastor’s health Pastor Rob Clark came to be pastor of three United Methodist Churches in Southeast Nebraska in July 2013. On Sun- days, he has been of-ficiating at the Hopewell IK United h^ Meth- odist Church, rural Sterling at 8 a.m., Adams UMC at 9:15, and at Tecumseh UMC at 11. The community welcomed him, his wife, Ann, and their daughter, but it soon had to rally to help his family accept the health challenges of Rob’s diagnosis of lung cancer. Pastor Rob has had several che-motherapy sessions, which were very successful. On February 25, in Omaha, he had surgery to re-move the cancer. In order to help him and his family, the United Methodist Church in Adams is sponsoring a baked potato dinner on Sunday, March 16. Starting at 11 a. m. until they run out of potatoes! They thought the potato bake a fit way to celebrate St. Patrick’sPatrick's Day and honor and help theirtheir pastor. Halls celebrate their life journey in book form Robert Kennedy, who was cam-paigning Busy, busy, busy depot. Larry and his brother, Lance, in Wyoming to become After his news career, Larry be-came are the fifth generation of their fam- President of the United States. president of the Nebraska Farm-ers ily to live here. Carol’s grandfather Senator Kennedy’s approach to the Union and a member of the homesteaded in Johnson County. Vietnam War was entirely different Board of Directors of the National Free time than the course that was actually Farmers Union. Once again the Halls Carol is a wonderful piano player followed after his death. ( The en-tire traveled around the state and on into and teaches piano lessons in their tire interview is included in the Wyoming and Colorado where he home. “I’ve taught piano on and off Hall’sHall's book.)book.) Then therethere was Presi-dentPresi- spoke to farmer members of the or-ganization. for many years,” she said. “I had 18 dent Richard Nixon’sNixon's trip to Lin-Lin-coln, In 1986, he and Carol students in Lincoln, and now teach coln, a funny story thatthat nearlynearly got were selected to represent the na-tional the dearest students in Bennet.” a camera man and Larry arrested. organization on a 12-day tour Larry served Plus interviews of a long list of en- of Japan. This was to be an exchange as senior pastor of views on national agricultural for seven United The Statler Brothers and Red policy and Larry was to write sto-ries Methodist Skelton. as the tour progressed, and tele-phone Churches over a In 1978, while Larry was still them back to the national of-fice period of years. working in TV, the Halls launched where the recordings would then For the past two Hall Tours as a sideline business. be distributed to farm radio stations years, he has Through the next 30 years,years, it grewgrew around the United States. Four other been serving as to the point that both Larry and Carol national agricultural organizations a pulpit supply worked full time on the enterprise. were also represented in the delega-tion minister for Their book, Never a Dull Moment which toured the country, visit-ing churches in includes many entertaining stories farms and having entertaining southeast Ne-braska. of their travels. experiences along the way. “We did everything from day Larry and Carol spent a summer He has also trips to 14 day excursions,” said in Estes Park, Colorado, where some written two po-etry Carol. “We would conceive the idea friends approached them with a plea books, From for our tours, go to the places, check for help. In addition to their Colo-rado the Heart of the out the attractions, hotels and so on, hotels, they owned a hotel in Country, which then come home, complete the ar- Kearney. The manager was leaving sold approxi-mately and they were desperate to find 700 cop-ies escort all the tours. We someone they could trust to fill in in 1981, and started off escorting for them. Convinced this would be a Warm Country strangers, who became peaceful experience, the Halls agreed Memories which dear friends who gradu-ally to help. But, a month after arriving sold several hun-dred seemed like mem-bers in Kearney, they realized a drug run-ner copies in of our family. had checked into the hotel and 1986. People want to know soon found themselves working Larry and how much you care, be-fore with the Kearney Police Department, Carol wrote their they will care how who ultimately made several arrests book Never a you who made several arrests book Never a much know and we and confiscated a considerable Dull Moment in truly appreciated and amount of illegalillegal drugs. The fasci-natingfasci- 2009, and copies cared for these dear nating story isis included in LarryLarry and are still avail- people. Carol’sCarol's book. able. (To order a copy phone 402- Though the business In 2012, Larry and Carol moved 840-0131.) More stories of their started from scratch, its popularity toto Bennet, where Larry hadhad grown travels and life can be found in the blossomed.“ We had no idea that just up.up. His great-great grandfather and book; too many to reprint in a short over 1,000 people a year would even-tually grandmother, Judson and Marietta story. be travelling with the two of Vanderlip, homesteadedhomesteaded northnorth of Larry and Carol do entertaining us,"us,” said Carol.“Carol. "NorNor that we would Bennet in 1869. Judson waswas a mem-bermem- presentations for groups and they tour Alaska 1111 times, extensively ber of the first villagevillage board, served are planning to write another book around the lower 48 states and on to as aa bank president, owned a gen-eralgen- about their lives soon. British Columbia, Canada, Germany, eral mercantile store, a lumber busi- France. Switzerland and Austria." mercantile a lumber busi-ness France, Switzerland and Austria.” ness and a livery stable near the train ElkElk in the Colorado Rockies.

Prince William Sound Alaska with a Tidewater Glacier in the background. Photos submitted

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park, Canada. FIRST UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The First United Methodist from the Rev. Tony Dawson for Women met for their unit UMW to help with increasing meeting March 5 in the church the dishwasher fund. Members fellowship hall. There were 40 voted to accept a recommenda-tion members and four guests pres- from the executive com-mittee to host a salad lunch on President Bonnie Brodersen May 16 with the proceeds to be opened the meeting with a deposited in the dishwasher prayer and welcomed every-one. fund. The motion was second-ed She thanked the hostesses and passed. of Group 6 with chairman Spiritual growth coordinator Doris Dowling. Jan Johnson led the prayer and Jan Johnson gave the devo-tions. self-denial session. She She noted that Ash explained the devotion center Wednesday is the beginning of and table centerpieces and used preparation for Easter. The scripture from Matthew 25: 27. color purple, which is the color Susan Sharman announced used for Lent, was part of the that 18 baby quilts had been day’s devotion center. given to Healthy Beginnings in Vice president Karen Myers addition to those given at bap-tisms.bap- introduced the program speak-er, tisms. Susan Ferrone, who dis-cussed Darlene Brumbaugh, the annual report of the resources/educationresources/ education and inter-inter-pretation South Heartland District Health pretation coordinator, read Department. She reviewed the parts of the gospel lesson, God five main goals and spoke Is Mindful Of You,” from the about the rural care problems. February Response magazine.“ The department will co-spon-sor Dorothy Anderson, social the Vital Signs Health Fair action coordinator, reported March 22-23. that the groups completed 307 Brodersen read 10 spiritual calls, visits and cards in resolutions. February. The minutes were accepted The ROMA mission study as printed and six thank you will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. communications were read. Tuesday in York. Treasurer Dee Getz reported The next UMW group meet-ings the balances in the UMW will be Wednesday. General and Bereavement The next UMW unit meeting Funds on Feb. 28. She will be April 2. Group 3 will announced that the district serve. Members are to wear treasurer, Erma Zumpfe, report-report-ed Easter hats. ed the 2014 receipts for mis-sionmis- The spring retreat will be sion giving and pledges in the April 5 at York. Registration February Response magazine. will begin atat 8:8:3030 a.a.m.m. Myers discussed aa request DAR The Daughters of the the chapter ’s donation at the American Revolution, state convention for the state Niobrara-Butler Johnson regent’s project of digitizing the Chapter, held its regular Beatrice Homestead Monument monthly meeting at Pastime records. Lanes conference room March Members wishing to tour the 4 with regent Jacki Lemonds International Quilt Study presiding. Chaplain Lorraine Center and Museum in Lincoln Osler offered the opening May 3 are to meet at 8:30 that prayer. The DAR Ritual, Pledge morning at the First United of Allegiance, the American’s Methodist Church parking lot, Creed and the Preamble of the Seventh Street and Denver Constitution were recited by Avenue. Elaine Petersen and all. Marr will furnish rides. The Lemonds called roll with 12 cost for a docent-led tour will members and two guests pres- be $10 each. To Celebrate America, mem-bers anniversary of the Civil War, reported 63 hours con-tributed each member responded with to community volun-teer an ancestor’s Civil War experi-ence work during the month of or a Civil War fact. February. Reports of the secretary, There being no further busi-ness, treasurer, registrar, librarian and the meeting was historian were given. Members adjourned. voted to give donations to the Jeff O’Donnell presented a “Wounded Warrior” campaign. program on the Civil War and Cheryll Marr wishes to the Grand Army of the donate the book“ Black Republic. Hastings had been Courage, 1775-1783, the site for a reunion of the Documentation of Black GAR in the late 1800s. Participation in the American At noon April 1 in the Revolution” by Robert Greene Pastime Lanes conference to the Edith Abbot Memorial room, the chapter will host the DAR Library in Grand Island. annual Regional DAR Chapters’ ( This book is on the National spring luncheon with President Society DAR’s list for research-ing“ Theodore Roosevelt ( portrayed Forgotten Patriots.”) Marr by Darrell Draper) as the guest and Dorothy Anderson will speaker.speaker. pursuepursue a time to make the pres-entationpres- For more information on the entation to the library. DAR, call 402-469-3535. Members votedvoted toto presentpresent Event raises funds, fun for youth group A record number — 265 — attended First United Methodist annual game feed, auction By Elizabeth Brown Times Staff Writer What do alligator gumbo, an autographed basket- ball and Eagle Butte, S.D. have in common? Springfield's First United Methodist Church host- ed a game feed and silent auction last month that pulled these and other seemingly disparate elements together to create a memorable evening for attendees. There was the game feed element of the evening, which included dishes made of antelope, buffalo, elk, deer, pheasant, walleye and the aforementioned alli- gator. There were 61 items up for auction, including au- tographed Miranda Lambert sheet music, a guitar signed by various country music legends and the two items that drew the most bids: five made-to-order pies from Lori Smith and a basketball signed by this year's Creighton basketball team. And there were kids and adults everywhere repre- senting the evening's cause and working behind the scenes to make sure the event ran smoothly. These were the members of the church's Impact youth group, the parents who volunteered to help and the Photo by Elizabeth Brown group's leader, Ron Smith, known to most at First Paige Jones, right, serves up deer sausage and gator United Methodist as "Boo," due to his Halloween gumbo her Parker, left. birthday. with son, at In its seventh year, the annual game feed and auc- the game feed event. tion is a fundraiser for the youth group's summer Additional money raised will be used as operating mission trip, Smith said. capital for the year, providing supplies for "kid kits" "This year's is a week-long trip to Eagle Butte, at Midland Hospital with stuffed animals and cray- 5.D.," he said. "We do work, such as painting houses, ons, covering knit nights for Youth Emergency Ser- simple maintenance and helping with kids' club Bi- vices and allowing students to attend Dare to Share in ble School classes. But we also learn more about the Lincoln to learn about sharing their faith. culture of the place we visit from the kids we get to Smith said more people than ever before attended work with." this year's event, with 265 attendees and $2,500 raised Smith said he preferred to go north for summer from free-will donations for the dinner alone, before trips, as it's less hot, and groups in years past have the totals from the auction had even been tallied. done mission trips in Minnesota and Montana. Last The increased traffic this year might simply be be- year's trip went to Pine Ridge, just north of Valentine, cause the event has become more popular over the Neb., in South Dakota's Shannon County. years, but this year's addition of autographed items "It's the third poorest county in the nation, and it's probably didn't hurt. Smith said he used a service that within eight hours driving distance from here," Smith provides autographed items for auctions with a min- said. "There are people in need, and we can make an imum bid, and he could send back whatever didn't impact." sell. This year 20 students will go on the trip. Students "This is the first year that we've done autographed will pay a deposit for the trip, but the group aims to items like this," he said. "Before, our auction was just cover the rest of the costs with the money raised from whatever parents could find and donate and whatev- their three yearly fundraisers: pie sales for Christmas er I could dig up." and Thanksgiving, a talent auction in the spring and Parent donations still played a role this year, how- ever, with side dishes and some of the meat for the dinner coming from parents. Most of the game in the In case anyone doubted the gator meat's authentic- game feed, however, came from Lee and Laurie Fowl- ity, Baldwin had proof. er. Smith explained that the couple does most of the "It came with an actual alligator's leg in the box, so night's cooking. we know it's real," she said. "The Fowlers don't have any kids in the youth Smith's wife Lori donated 30 pies to the event. group any more, but they still come back and do this Parents set up the event and worked the door, taking every year out of the goodness of their hearts," Smith donations. Students served as greeters and publicized said. the event beforehand . Lee Fowler was a little more modest. "The youth do a lot of work, and they're not com- "It's still a great cause," he said. "The kids and the plaining a bit," Smith said. "And there's no way this whole parish help. It's a community thing. I was born could come together without the parents. I'm really and raised in Springfield." lucky to be surrounded by great people." With a smile he added, "My wife lets me go hunt- Rachel Rockwell, an eighth-grader going on her ing and fishing a lot more for this, so I have a hidden first mission trip this summer, said she and other agenda. As long as I hunt and fish, I'll help out." youth group members put up fliers all over Spring- Fowler and his wife started thawing and preparing field and Westmont to promote the event and spread meat on Thursday for the Saturday event, cooking 70 the word on the Internet. During the event, she said pounds of bacon, 1,400 pheasant poppers and various they helped with cooking, cleaning and making sure other dishes. everyone had a good night. "It's a lot of fun to prepare," Fowler said. "We try Despite being a lot of work, Rockwell felt it was a new dish every year. This year was the first time for worth it for what she would get out of the mission buffalo." trip. Also unique to this year was alligator meat, served "I've heard you learn a lot about yourself and get in a gumbo. Jody Baldwin attended the event and bid closer in faith by knowing everyone else's story," she on some items at auction, but she and her husband said. "It could be totally different from what they look also gave the event some Cajun flair. like." "People that my husband works with sent us the Cameron Miller, a junior going on his fourth mis- alligator meat," she said. "We send them Omaha sion trip this summer, seconded Rockwell's opinions. Steaks, and they send us gator meat. We can't eat four "You learn a lot and get a lot closer to God and to pounds of alligator meat at once, so we thought the the people you go with," he said. "You go in as indi- game feed would be the perfect time to use some of viduals and come out a family." it up." Doniphan United Methodist Soup Supper

Photos by Randy Sadd Doniphan Hcruhl The Doniphan United Methodist Women held their annual Soup Supper February 26. Left, Hunter Lewis saved room for desert after he tried the various soups that were served. Top, a large group of patrons helped support the Doniphan United Methodist Church. Above, Ethan Adams helped clean tables and throw away the trash. passed on his knowledge as a college professor, k-12 Obituaries administrator, principal and teacher. Gary A. Karoly Grateful for having Aug. 3, 1946 Feb. 23, 2014 shared his life are his wife, - Karen; four children, Ame' (Jones) Karoly, was born Karoly, Hong Kong, Thom- August 3, 1946 in Eaton- as R. Mortimer 111 and his ville, MS. He grew up in wife, Diana, Bolingbrook, the Hattieburg, MS area IL, Nichole Justesen and earned and both a bach- her husband, Lynn, Elm- elor's and master's degree wood, NE, Matthew from Mor- the University of timer and his wife, Celena, Southern Mississippi in Spalding, NE; 10 grand- Hattiesburg in addition children; three siblings, to a Master of Divinity David Karoly and wife, earned his at Emory Univer- Bitsey, Purvis, MS, Jackie sity in Atlanta, GA. Gary Smith and her husband, also had post-graduate Mike, Purvis, MS, Joseph education in Theology. Karoly, Moselle, MS; and addition, In he served his a host of other relatives country with the U.S. Navy and friends. from 1965 to 1967. Through the years Gary Gary A. Karoly, 67, died owned and operated Kar- Sunday, February 23, 2014 oly Construction Company at the Sioux Falls VA Medi- and built new homes, cal Center. His funeral churches and commercial were held at 11:30 on buildings in four states. Thursday, February 27 at An ordained Method- the Brandon Valley As- ist minister, Gary served sembly of God Church in United Methodist and Brandon. Interment was in independent congrega- the Turkey Valley Baptist tions in three states and Cemetery, Irene, SD. enjoyed being a pastor, Gary Ames Karoly, son counselor and evange- of John and Edna May list for 38 years. He also Photo Submitted Local Volunteers Recognized For Service Louie Ropers along with several other Sargent Firemen, EMT's and First Responders were acknowledged and thanked for their service to the community by the Sargent United Methodist Church last Sunday with a luncheon. They were given a plaque of recognition to be displayed at the fire hall. Photo Submitted Firemen, EMT's And First Responders Appreciation Luncheon Mary Mason, representing the Sargent United Methodist Church presented Fire Chief Recce Jensen a plaque of appreciation last Sunday following a luncheon for Sargent's Firemen, EMT's and First Responders. METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEM The Rev. Daniel Johnston’s only complaint during two hours of shooting free throws:“ My thighs are starting to kill me.” Minister nets more than 700 of 1,000 MATTHEW HANSEN shots made in 2 hours as a fundraiser

The Rev. Daniel Johnston isn’t The charity stripe. praying for a miracle. He’s just Johnston has agreed to shoot COLUMNIST praying to shoot it better than 1,000 free throws in two hours, Shaq. making as many as he can to It’s a sleepy Friday morning raise money to fight malaria in Kansas college. He’s played in early March, and the good Africa. I have agreed to watch friendly pickup games against driveway games reverend is wearing red sweat- and rebound, because it isn’t his friendsfriends and driveway games of HORSE against his kids. pants and a gray sweatshirt and every day you get to watch a of HORSE his kids. But played regularly a worried expression. 58-year-old Methodist minister But he hasn'thasn’t played regularly years, up at 5 There’s a basketball hoop set fire up 1,000 free throws in two in years, and he woke up at 5 morning up in the cafeteria at Nebraska hours. a.a.m.m. this morning worried about bricking shot after shot. Methodist College, with a strip Johnston is no hoops slouch. Just before he stepssteps to the of tape exactly 13 feet from He played in high school and Just before he to the the front of the rim. a little college ball at a tiny See Hansen: Page 22

Hansen: No divine intervention needed, just posture and patience shots. Loser’s money goes to a makes tend to rattle home charity that works to combat instead of swishing cleanly malaria, a mission sponsored by through. the United Methodist Church. The low point comes after 800 I open my wallet and slam a free throws, when he misses five-dollar bill onto a cafeteria five in a row. This isn’t carefree table. You’re on, Rev. Just give anymore. This is hard work. me five warm-up shots.shots. He takes a longer than usual I brick the first warm-up free break before his final 100 free throw. I airball the second.second. My throws. His son Bryce shows faceface turnsturns Husker scarlet. up, which pleases Johnston And then, somehow, I make despite the fact that Bryce sevenseven ofof my 10 shots inin the free promptly beats him in a free- throw contest. Which isis thrill- throw contest by nailing 10 in ing,ing, until Johnston steps back a row. ( Like father, like son, I to the line andand startsstarts draining guess.) more free throwsthrows likelike he’she's the And then, just before noon, SecondSecond Coming of John Stock-Stock- Johnston toes the charity stripe ton. He nailsnails eight of 10. and attacks his final 50 shots. So yes, I lost $5$ 5 to a Meth- He finds a second wind. He hits odistodist minister in a free-throw 14 free throws in a row. He shootingshooting contest. I have now yells every time a shot rims out. officiallyofficially wagered andand lost on And pretty much precisely everythingeverything imaginable. two hours after it began, it is “Doesn’t"Doesn't the Methodist almost over. The Rev. Daniel Church frown on gambling?"gambling?” Johnston’s thighs are on fire. II ask afterafter Johnston nails his His knees ache. His wrist and eightheighth andand winning free throw. elbow will be sore tomorrow. "This“This isn’tisn't gambling,"gambling,” John- He has shot 999 free throws stonston says.“says. "It'sIt’s fundraising."fundraising.” and made 768. He’s shot it way He makes 118118 ofof hishis next 150 better than Shaq and better shotsshots (79 percent). He crushescrushes than President Barack Obama, DennisDennis Joslin, president of though not quite as good as Nebraska Methodist College, in Kobe or John Stockton. aa free-throw contest. He has raised a couple of He makes 112112 ofof hishis next hundred dollars for charity. 150150 shotsshots (75 percent). He wins “Take a picture of my last anotheranother free-throw contest. shot,” he tells his daughter, except my He’sHe's rolling,rolling, except“"my Kayla Snow.“ I survived this.” than Obama. He’s shooting it of Jeff’s doughnuts. thighs are starting to kill me.”me." He flexes his knees and like Kobe. But the good reverend As Johnston passespasses thethe releases his 1,000th shot with shots that had The plan isis toto shoot freefree throws a wrench into that plan halfway mark, shots that had pretty backspin. throws 150150 atat a time,time, pausing during the first break, when he been dropping cleanly through Swish. afterafter each round for aa briefbrief announces that he’ll challenge the net begin to bang the front stretchingstretching break, swigswig anyone Contact the writer: break, a of in the crowd to a free- ofof the rim.rim. The misses become 402-444-1064, matthew. hansen@ owh. com water, a couplecouple ofof bites off one throw contest. Five dollars. Ten more frequent, andand even thethe twitter. com/ redcloud_ scribe Eddyville Dinner Theater is on the Horizon: The thirty-third annual Eddyville dinner theater will be held Saturday, March 22nd at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 23rd at 3:00 p.m. at the Eddyville Community Center. This year's production, "A Fuedin' Over Yonder," is a hillbilly comedy presented by the Eddyville United Methodist Church and the Eddyville Community Center. All proceeds from the show are used to support Grace United Methodist Church and the Eddyville Community Center. Dinner consisting of homemade soup, pie & sandwiches will be served at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and after the Melodrama on Sunday. Tickets are available at the door or advance tickets are available at: U Save Pharmacy and Loudons in Lexington, Five Points Bank in Sumner and Eddyville businesses. For more information call Barb at 308-858-4601. Members of this year's cast pictured above are: front row (l-r): Leah Swanson, Bryce Swanson, Nathan Schroeder, and Randy Judd; second row: Deanna Rumbeck, Brittany Rumbeck, Emily Rumbeck, Erika Kappel, Leann McFarland, and Christy Stryker; back row, Ginny Harshbarger, Bill Harshbarger, Kevin Rumbeck, Dave Burr, Angie Anderson, Brent Rumbeck, Charles Stryker, and Ryan McFarland (not pictured is Barb Burr, director). (courtesy photo) Webster County couple leaves millions to local organizations

HASTINGS TRIBUNE Courtesy tribune @hastingstribune. com A Webster County woman’s estate will Claud and provide bequests totaling $3 million $4 Reese to Gates, hospitals million for the benefit of in Red shown in a Cloud and Hastings, the Auld Public Library courtesy and First United Methodist Church in Red photo, des-ginated Cloud, and Children’s Hospital in Omaha, five the estate’s attorney said Wednesday. charities in The estate of Emma R. “Reese” Gates, their estate 2013, leav-ing plans, who died in November will be including percent 25 of its available funds to the Mary County Community Hospital Webster Lanning Foundation, 25 percent to the Mary Lanning per-cent Healthcare Healthcare Foundation, 25 Foundation. to benefit Children’s Hospital in Omaha, and 12.5 percent each for the Red Cloud library and the church, said David Garwood, attorney for thethe estate.estate. Millions: Three Please see MILLIONS/MILLIONS!pagepage A3 hospitals among beneficiaries On Tuesday, the Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation announced it received a gift of more than $$500,000500,000 from thethe Gates estate. “We"We are truly grateful toto Claud and Reese GatesGates for their generous charitable gift,”gift," saidsaid Mary Plock, thethe foundation’sfoundation's lead developmentdevelopment officer.officer.“"TheThe Gates’Gates' gift will be addedadded toto the endowmentendowment fund, helping us continuecontinue the Lannings’Lannings' vision, offeringoffering hopehope andand healinghealing for generations toto come.”come." Known to her friends as Reese,Reese, Emma was born Jan.Jan. 6, 1920,1920, southsouth ofof Red Cloud. SheShe was aa lifelong residentresident ofof Webster County, graduating from Red Cloud High School with the class ofof 1938.1938. ReeseReese was electedelected clerkclerk ofof Webster County District Court from 1946-50,1946-50, and she servedserved asas executive secretarysecretary for the Selective Service Board. She was officeoffice clerk forfor GeneGene Theobald with the Farmers Home Families feuding in Eddyville Skunk drives wedge in town’s 33rd play Dave Burr, Angie Anderson, EDDYVILLE The feud Brent Rumbeck, Charles between the Popoff family and Stryker and Ryan McFarland. the Fry family harkens back to The show is presented by an old skunk hunting accident. Eddyville United Methodist One of the Popoff— boys took Church and Eddyville Com-munity a shot at a skunk but acciden-tally Center. All proceeds hit Paw Fry, which started will be donated to help support a feud between the families Grace United Methodist in the melodrama,“ A Feudin’ Church and Eddyville Com-Com-munity OverYonder.” Eddyville Dinner munity Center. Theater will bring the feud to central Nebraska for two perfor-mances Saturday and Sunday at Eddyville Community Center. The musical, written by La Roma Greth, features a cast of 1818 andand marks the 33rd-an-33rd-an-nual nual production by Eddyville Dinner Theater. Performances are at 6 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and include homemade soup, pie and sandwiches at both perfor-mances. Tickets for children are $ 5 in advance or $6 at the door. Advance tickets are available at U Save Pharmacy and Loudons in Lexington, Five Points Bank in Sumner, Eddyville businesses and at the door. For more information, call Barb at 308-858-4601. Cast members are Leah Swanson, Bryce Swanson,Swanson, Nathan Schroeder, Randy Judd; Deanna Rumbeck, Brit-tany Rumbeck, Emily Rum-beck, Erika Kappel, Leann McFarland, Christy Stryker, Ginny Harshbarger, Bill Harshbarger, Kevin Rumbeck, A break from the pulpit Minister toes the line to shoot 1,000 free throws in 2 hours as a fundraiser

The Rev. Daniel Johnston isn't The charity stripe. praying for a miracle. He's just Johnston has agreed to shoot praying to shoot it better than 1,000 free throws in two hours, Shaq. making as many as he can to It's a sleepy Friday morning raise money to fight malaria in Kansas college. He's played in early March, and the good Africa. I have agreed to watch friendly pickup games against reverend is wearing red sweat- and rebound, because it isn't his friends and driveway games pants and a gray sweatshirt and every day you get to watch a of HORSE against his kids. a worried expression. 58-year-old Methodist minister But he hasn't played regularly There's a basketball hoop set fire up 1,000 free throws in two in years, and he woke up at 5 up in the cafeteria at Nebraska hours. a.m. this morning worried about Methodist College, with a strip Johnston is no hoops slouch. of tape exactly 13 feet from He played in high school and bricking shot after shot. the front of the rim. a little college ball at a tiny See Hansen: Page 6

Hansen: No divine intervention needed, just posture and patience "Doesn't the Methodist Church frown on gambling?" Just before he steps to the line, we make our predic- I ask after Johnston nails his eighth and winning free tions. throw. "My goal is to make 650," says Johnston, chaplain at "This isn't gambling," Johnston says. "It's fundrais- the Omaha campus. ing." "I think you will make 570," I say, helpfully pointing He makes 118 of his next 150 shots (79 percent). He out that his shooting elbow will likely hurt halfway crushes Dennis Joslin, president of Nebraska Method- through. ist College, in a free-throw contest. "I'm guessing you will make four," says Jeff Snow, He makes 112 of his next 150 shots (75 percent). He who is also rebounding for the good reverend today wins another free-throw contest. and happens to be his son-in-law. He's rolling, except "my thighs are starting to kill Jeff brought doughnuts, so Johnston lets that com- me." ment slide. He takes off his sweatshirt, grabs a well- As Johnston passes the halfway mark, shots that dropping cleanly through begin worn basketball, steps to the free-throw line, takes a had been the net to deep breath and ... bang the front of the rim. The misses become more Swish. frequent, and even the makes tend to rattle home The good reverend is off, and it's quickly clear he instead of swishing cleanly through. can shoot it way better than Shaq. He makes seven of The low point comes after 800 free throws, when he his first 10. Then he reels off 15 makes in a row. And misses five in a row. This isn't carefree anymore. This then, after a couple of misses, he goes into a free- is hard work. throw shooting trance. He flexes his knees. He bounc- He takes a longer-than-usual break before his final es the ball once. He releases it with pretty backspin. 100 free throws. His son Bryce shows up, which pleas- Johnston the fact that beats Splash. Splash. Splash. Splash. Ten in a row. Then es despite Bryce promptly fifteen. Then twenty-five. him in a free-throw contest by nailing 10 in a row. (Like He makes 28 in a row as a small crowd at the father, like son, I guess.) 950-student Methodist college cheers him on. And then, just before noon, Johnston toes the charity stripe and attacks his final 50 shots. He finds "Go, Rev!" "You got it!" "You're shooting it like a Obama!" second wind. He hits 14 free throws in a row. He yells He makes of his first 150, a blistering 83 per- every time a shot rims out. 124 And much hours after it cent. pretty precisely two began, He's shooting it better than Shaq. He's shooting it it is almost over. The Rev. Daniel Johnston's thighs are on fire. His knees ache. His wrist and elbow be better than Obama. He's shooting it like Kobe. will The plan is to shoot free throws 150 at a time, sore tomorrow. He 768. He's pausing after each round for a brief stretching break, warm-up shots. has shot 999 free throws and made I brick the first free throw. I airball the shot it way better than Shaq and better than President a swig of water, a couple of bites off one of Jeff's warm-up doughnuts. second. My face turns Husker scarlet. Barack Obama, though not quite as good as Kobe or John Stockton. But the good reverend throws a wrench into that And then, somehow, I make seven of my 10 shots plan during the first break, when he announces that in the free throw contest. Which is thrilling, until He has raised a couple of hundred dollars for charity. "Take a picture of my last shot," he tells his daugh- he'll challenge anyone in the crowd to a free-throw Johnston steps back to the line and starts draining ter, Snow. "I contest. Five dollars. Ten shots. Loser's money goes more free throws like he's the Second Coming of John Kayla survived this." He to a charity that works to combat malaria, a mission Stockton. He nails eight of 10. flexes his knees and releases his 1,000th shot backspin. sponsored by the United Methodist Church. So yes, I lost $5 to a Methodist minister in a free- with pretty I open my wallet and slam a five-dollar bill onto throw shooting contest. I have now officially wagered Swish. a cafeteria table. You're on, Rev. Just give me five and lost on everything imaginable. Contact the writer: 402-444-1064, mntthe\^[email protected]*ntwtte

4. At least you only have to work out of one book. That’s true. Of course, you read a lot of com- mentary. And it’s so different now. I used to run the mimeograph machine. Now we havehave video projectors and you have to learn to work with them.

5. Do you have a favorite version of the Bible? I look at two--the New Revised Standard Version and The Message. They are very different in style. But for the 23rd Psalm I use the King James version.

6. There’s a lot in the Bible. What’s the most difficult thing to learn? I guess my favorite parts are the stories. The narrative parts I have to work on more. I’m drawn to stories. I love the Old Testament stories.

7. Ever been to the Holy Land? I have. Those are pictures I took [points at photos on his wall]. Jerusalem is the most special place in the world. It feels different than any other place. It’s almost overwhelming.

8. Is there another place you’d like to visit? Africa. I’ve been to Egypt, but I’m thinking sub-Saharan Africa. I like going to places where you’re challenged culturally. That’s why I don’t want to go to England or Australia. Now China--I really did enjoy that. It’s like a different planet.

9. If you weren’t a pastor, what would you do? Probably something in juvenile justice, work- ing with troubled kids.

10. You like working with kids? I do. A lot of my ministry deals with youth camping, youth groups. You have a funeral and all the sadness. Young people and teenagers bring you back to life.

DAVE FARIES /THE SUN-TELEGRAPH Community News Lincoln’s Citywide Source for March 22 through March 28, 2014 Volume 24 Issue 39 Humble hero’ leads quietly by example at St. Mark’s at St. Mark’s feel the same Pastor Don shoe boxes forfor Operation way,” said Pastor Alloway Stewart leadsleads Christmas Child, and foodfood ‘ “He"He is at hishis core, a kind, basketsbaskets at Thanksgiving one of city’scity's most compassionate, humble one most StewartStewart- active church pastor who exudes accep-accep- tance, love andand patience ( continued on Page 2) youth groups youth groups to the kids with whom he BY DENNIS BUCKLEY works.”works." – Neighborhood Extra editor He also happens to lead one ofof Lincoln’sLincoln's most active years ago, years ago, Peter church youth groups. Alloway high was a Pastor Don Stewart is as school freshmanfreshman who SixSix humble as he is aa dedicateddedicated wrote an essayessay for an Eng- wrote an for an servant of the Lord. lish assignment titled "MyMy lish titled“ The soft-spoken, com- Hero."Hero.” passionate man instills the The namename that immedi- importance of commu- atelyately came to mind was that came was nity service. If his youth of the pastor of the youth group at St. Mark’s United program atat his church. Methodist Church isn’t Peter Alloway wrote: packaging “Have"Have you everever met some- meals for Kids Against Hunger, they’re oneone you admire so much DENNIS BUCKLEY PHOTO/ NEIGHBORHOOD EXTRA raising money for causes acquired by that you wish you could be When a new bus was St. Mark’s United Methodist Church year, longtime justjust like them? I have, and such as UNICEF, Salvation last the church dedicated the vehicle in honor of the pastor youth program, Stewart, wife, Cindy. his name is Don Stewart.”Stewart." Army, the Souper Bowl or of its Don and his Peter’sPeter's father, Senior Caring, and CROP Walk. Wayne Alloway Stewart Pastor Wayne Alloway Jr., And when they’re not col- couldn’tcouldn't agreeagree more. more. lecting coats and blan- and Christmas time. “I"I think many if not most kets for the People’s City The humble man who’s ofof the kids Don works with been the face of the youth Mission, they’re filling ministry program at St. Mark’sMark's sincesince 19821982 is quick to point out that the drivingdriving force behind his kids’kids' tireless effortsefforts is simple:“simple: "WeWe believe that JesusJesus Christ calls us toto help others in need. It isis our hope toto do God’sGod's work in our world. We do this for the love of TesusJesus Christ.”Christ." 1,188 blankets, and 3,950 miscellaneous items Meticulous recordkeep- through its coat and blan- ing over the last years 32 ket drive; puts the youth group's donated 287 gift boxes impact in perspective. • for Operation Christmas Since 1982, the youth pro- gram has: Child; raised $29,683 for Stewart, pausing to reflect on hunger, homelessness, Thanksgiving• food baskets; on the impact before he and and those in poverty. Also and his wife, Cindy, boarded a this summer, all members raised $148,402 bus last week destined for of the youth program will through• its Christmas food Dallas, Texas, high observe Lincoln Mission where 53 and gift baskets. school and middle school Week by working with speak The numbers for members of St. Mark’s the People’s City Mission, nearly themselves. The youth group would work City Parks and Recreation quarter-million dollars raised Department, Kids Against years two days for the North for CROP Walk over the Texas Food Bank and with Hunger, on the St. Mark’s is of the national pro- one the homeless in local com- campus and at other local gram’s largest raised by sums munity agencies. agencies. youth group. a “In today’s world, rarely lifelong service,” Mission trips “This is do you see an individual said Stewart, pausing to The week-long trip to with a work ethic and reflect on 32 years of bus Dallas, scheduled during compassion that can com- trips to mission projects. Lincoln Public Schools’ pare with what we witness What is especially grati- spring break last week, was every day Stewart,” fying, he said, is to see this the first of four planned in Don outpouring of philanthropy in 2014. Senior high stu- said Brad Swiggart, an stretch across several gen- dents will be working with active parent volunteer for erations. Habitat for Humanity in St. Mark’s youth and one of “Some of the adults who Buffalo, N.Y., June 5-18; the bus drivers for its mis continue to help today were the middle school students sion trips. involved as kids when we will be going to Chicago the “He truly is special.” started this program,” said week of July 21-26 to work A “hero” indeed in the- with agencies focusing eyes of many. Key fundraiser April 6 The St. Mark’s Youth Group mission trips are funded in part by pledges and direct donations of tax-deduct- ible dollars. The monies help others with adequate housing to raise their families and to help meet other basic survival needs such as clothing and food. A key funding source for the St. Mark’s Youth Group mission trips is the Gathered In His Name auction, which started as a biannual event in 1983 and became an annual fundraiser in 1995. The 25 years of fundrais- ing has produced $532,059, including a record-setting $53,000 last year. This year’s event is Sunday, April 6. This year’s auction items will include a half a beef; Husker football and baseball tickets; vacation stays in condos in Colorado and the Washington, D.C. area; and a framed print of the famed “Fumbleroosky” drawn up by former Husker coaching legend Tom Osborne, a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. A roast beef dinner will be served during the late- afternoon and early-evening hours on April 6 in con- junction with the auction. To inquire about tickets or to donate an item to the auction, call Brad Swiggart at (402) 430-6380. Church Page

The Federated Church in Sutton and the Trumbull United Methodist Church sent 10 volunteers down to Bayou DuLarge, LA, for a week to perform mis- sion work. The churches send a group down each year and have helped rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes.

Front Row (left to right): Jerry Arnold, Kirn Arnold, Jan (Arnold) Dye, Helen Arnold and Larry T. Nuss.

Back Row: Craig Arnold, Dave Winter, Gene Ar- nold, Don Russell and Joe Thomas.

-Courtesy Photo Local Mission Group Rebuilds in Louisiana

Ten members from two com- year recently. installing a handicapped ramp Jan (Arnold) Dye is from bined churches traveled to The- Work performed during that on a different home. Grand Island. Jerry Arnold riot, Louisiana, from February time consisted of drywall mud- Some people also worked in and Joe Thomas came from 15-23, to do mission work for the ding, taping, sanding and paint- the sawmill during the week. litchfield. Bayou DuLarge Baptist Church. ing. Outside work was building Gene and Helen Arnold, along Don Russell, Larry T. Nuss The churches have sent a a deck with steps, spindles and with Craig and Kirn Arnold, are and Dave Winter are all from group down to the town each hand rails on one house and from Trumbull. Sutton. U2charist to return to Grand Island on April 17 U2charist will take the stage once again at the GrandTheatre in Grand Is-land on Thursday, April 17. The worship service, featuring the music of rock band U2, will be sponsored by United Methodists for Grand Island (UM4GI) and the Great Plains United Methodist Conference. U2charist includes a communion celebration that incorporates the band’s biblically rich lyrics and social justice message. Peo-ple of all ages and faith tra-ditions are invited to par-ticipate. U2 songs from the albums“Pop,”“ No Line on the Horizon,”“The Joshua Tree” and“Achtung Baby” will be included. The Rev. Michael Patzl-off of the Aurora United Methodist Church will give a brief meditation. Afree-will offering will be ac-cepted to support Hope Harbor. The U2charist liturgy seeks to raise awareness of the Millennium Develop-ment Goals and call people to a deeper faith and en-gagement with God’s mis-sion. Goalsrange fromhalv-ing extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/ AIDS by 2015. Members of the live band represent several lo-cal cal United Methodist churches: the Rev. Matt Fowler of First-FaithFirst-FaithUMC;UMC; Braden Garwood, who is active in United Methodist camps and leads worship at Aurora UMC; Tony Hill-house,Hill- house, a staff member at Lincoln St. Mark’sMark's UMC; Abby Necker of Grand Is-land;Is- land; and the Rev. Bob Rhodes of TrinityTrinityUMCinUMC in Grand Island. Immunization clinic offered

The Northeast Nebraska Community Action Part- nership, formerly known as Goldenrod Hills Commu- nity Action, will hold the Blair WIC and immuniza- tion clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 1656 Colfax St., in Blair. For an appointment or for more information regarding the WIC or immunization programs, call 402-385-6300. WIC clinics coming to Hub Territory KEARNEY Clinics for the make an appointment, call the through Thursday the first four Women, Infants and Children numbers below or the WIC full weeks of each month at program, or WIC, are planned in office toll free at 877-803- Mid-Nebraska Community Hub Territory towns. 1712. Clinics will be in: Action. Call 308-324-6212 for WIC is available— for children Kearney Tuesday through an appointment. up to age 5 and income-eligi-ble Thursday the first four full Franklin April 14 and women who are pregnant, weeks of each month at Com-munity June 9 at Grace Lutheran breastfeeding or are less than Action Partnership Church six months post-partum. WIC of Mid-Nebraska— Education Arapahoe April 21, May participants receive healthy Building. Call 865-5366 for an 19 and June—16 at Trinity food at no cost, breastfeeding appointment. Lutheran Church support for mothers and new-borns, Gibbon April 4, May 2 Alma April 11 and June and nutrition informa-tion. and June 6 at Clinic of Good 13 at Johnson—Community Health Center Fathers, guardians or foster Cozad—April 7, May 5 and Minden—April 14, May 12 parents may apply for WIC June 2 at First— United Method-ist and June—9 at the United Meth-odist for their children. Those who Church Church receive ADC, SNAP, Kids Con-nection Gothenburg April 4, Holdrege April 11 and or Medicaid automati-cally May 1 and June 6 at American 25, May 9 and 23 and June 13 qualify for WIC. Lutheran Church and 27 at the Phelps County Ag For more information or to Lexington ——Tuesday Center — FROM THE PULPIT REV. JOE LAUGHLIN from God’s love. Not even the Honor must be restored through nature, we want to believe that any separate VICTORY CHURCH devil or evil can us payment of satisfaction. Anselm it is all about us. But then the from God’s love. The only thing explained Jesus’ death to his Bible comes along and presents One of the most profound that can separate you from God’s culture using the ritual and laws a radical message about our truths that I have known is the love is you. You have the choice common in 1097 when he wrote nature and oursinfulness. That fact that God loves me with an to receive or reject God’s love. “Why God Became Man.” It was can be quite a jolt to our system, everlasting love. His love never Receive God’s love today, by faith. from Anselm, a thousand years especially if we have been riding fails because God never fails. His after Jesus, that the idea “Jesus a wave of self-importance. love is not passive, but able to REV. JANE FLORENCE died on the cross as payment for How self-aware are you, help us in our FIRST UNITED METHODIST your sins” became a common and how Christ-centered are time of need. CHURCH notion, although it was much you? To be Christ-centered Romans 5: 8 debated at the time. is to fix our thoughts on the says,“ God The first chapters of Leviticus importance. biggest great Christians today no longer Lord’s The demonstrates describe in detail the competitor agenda procedure living in a blood sacrifice culture to that is His own love for offering gifts to system guy the Lord. People of ancient time or a feudal honor are self. That wants the focus toward us, challenged to find relevant and the attention and the praise. in that while offered sacrifices of animals and Christianity crops to attain God’s forgiveness, language and rich metaphors to kicks self to the curb we were still express convey the mystery and meaning and replaces him with a perfect sinners, Christ to devotion, or to Joe Laughlin return to a state of purity. Daily of the one we call Christ. substitute. died for us.” sacrifices were made to restore As Christians, we are always to Love was what motivated Jesus REV. DAN DELZELL take Jesus very seriously. And the give people to right relationship with to His life for us. He invites the God of Israel from the time WELLSPRING LUTHERAN only way to successfully do that us to call on Him and receive CHURCH, PAPILLION is to get over ourself. We have whatever help may need. recorded in Genesis until A.D. get we 70 when the thing your to over how awesome we Many people have a hard time It’s one to take big temple in seriously, think we are in the scheme receiving God’s love because work but it’s another of things. That sort of thinking they wrong picture Jerusalem was altogether to take yourself have a of God. destroyed. only gets in the way of true They think God is holding our sins seriously. Our work as Christians discipleship. A system of certainly against us, yet the Scripture says, is to be done with the Here is something to consider: “God was in Christ, reconciling blood sacrifice utmost of care and devotion. But God doesn’t need you was the culture get wrapped or the world to Himself, not imputing the minute we too me in order to get His will their trespasses to them” ( 2 Cor. and ritual of up in ourself is the minute we accomplished. It’s true. He will 19). problem, the Hebrew start to go in a wrong direction. 5: God is not our people do His work with or without us. He is the to problem, Jane Florence when Here is a test. Call it a self-awareness part answer our Jesus lived and quiz you And if we are led to become and that answer is found in Jesus if like. On of His work, it is only because enough when the Apostle Paul wrote of a scale of 1 Christ. God loved us to Jesus. Paul explained Jesus’ life He has graciously allowed us the send His only Son to die for our to 10, how privilege to serve Him and serve sins Calvary that might and his death to his culture of much time on so we the first century using the rituals you spend others. He is the Potter and we have eternal life. Our part is to do are the clay. It is His plan and love, mercy common during his lifetime. He thinking about receive God’s and metaphors His work that matters; not our forgiveness by faith, regardless used of blood and your personal of people greatness or even our gifts. whether or not we“ feel” His love sacrifice for who were importance on After all, what good gifts accustomed to splattering blood planet? are on a given day. the In unless the Giver is working speaks upon altars as the means of other words, Romans 8 of God’s relating through them? And what good great love. God is for us, who to their God. do you view through clay If Canterbury Dan Delzell can come a vessel can be against us? Can anything Anselm of lived in yourself as that is filled with pride and a culture whose judicial system indispensable? you a separate us from the love of Do tend to look-at-me attitude? Thankfully, God? Can tribulation or problems, was based on the Germanic think of yourself as God’s gift to Jesus offers a true and lasting persecution law principle of compensation mankind? can or distress, revenge alternative to man’s tendency lack, peril rather than and a feudal The message of culture is can famine or can or system. Any our toward narcissism. sword? The obvious answer is notion of the honor often,“ It’s all about you.” And nothing separate injured or dishonored party must it is so easy to buy into it. By that can us be compensated financially. Adams UMC supports pastor with soup supper

Betty PittmanPittman and Charlotte Gronewold, both of Adams, chat while enjoying baked potatoes atat the UMCUMC inin Adams on Sunday. At right,right, Charlotte’sCharlotte's husband, Roger Gronewold digs intointo his potato.

Sterling, have a great time at the fundraiser for Pastor Rob Clark on Sunday afternoon. The UMC in Adams held a potato bake for a free will donation, which proceeds going to help out Pastor Clark after his recent surgery to remove cancer from his lungs. Vince VanEngen and his uncle, Art Weber, both of Adams, visit after eating a delicious lunch. NP woman convicted of abuse of vulnerable adult ly charged with sexu-al Plea bargain reached after other assault after police charges dropped neglect learned that he was the in case father of a child whose mother was under the By ANDREW BOTTRELL Eggers was reported-ly age of 16. Chavez will [email protected] in charge of adminis-tering face sentencing on June the medications. A woman who did not 9. She will face sentencing In court Monday, Rob-erts-Connick administer medications May properly on 12. indicated for her mother Titus, 22, elderly n Dustin that the attorney’s of-fice was convicted of pleaded guilty Monday. not on would ask for pro-bation abuse separate Mon-day. Tia Eggers, 33, of six cases in the case, after North Platte, pleaded consultation with the guilty to abuse of vul-nerable Titus is accused of victim’s family. a burglaries adult, of vehicles n Michael Duffy, 50, a Class garages IIIA felony, in Lincoln and on Bare Av-enue, will serve 180 days in County District Court. Stewart Avenue the Lincoln County De-tention Sugarberry A second investiga-tion and Road in Center. Duffy into possible finan-cial North Platte. Burglary was convicted Monday abuse was dropped is a Class III felony. of shoplifting, third of-fense, as a part of a plea deal, In addition to those a Class IV felo-ny, according to Lincoln charges, he faces addi-tional stemming from an County Deputy Attor-ney charges of being incident at Walmart on Tonya Roberts-Con-nick. a felon in possession of Nov. 4, 2013. He will re-ceive a firearm, a Class ID fel-ony, credit for 92 days On Jan. 6, Great two counts of pos-session already served in jail. Plains Regional Med-ical of stolen fire-arms, n Kaine Golter, 19, of Center reported a Class III felony, Gothenburg, reached a the case of possible ne-glect possession of burglars plea agreement Monday after a 62-year-old tools, a Class IV felony, in his case. GolterGoiter plead-plead-ed woman was admitted along with shoplifting, ed no contest toto attempt-edattempt- after having a seizure.seizure. trespassing and theft. ed burglary, a Class IV Health care profes-profes-sionals Titus’Titus' next hearing felonyfelony on Monday.Monday. He sionals with the hos-pitalhos- will be June 9. is convictedconvicted in connec-tionconnec- pital told police that n■ Fortino Chavez, 19, tion to a burglary atat the the woman had been of North Platte, plead-plead-ed Banner United Method-istMethod- checked in once in eacheach ed no contest to felony ist Church near Gothen-burg.Gothen- of the past sixsix months, child abuse, a Class burg. The church is in and each time showed IIIA felony, after reach-ingreach- Lincoln County. signs ofof not having tak-entak- ing a plea deal. He facesfaces sentencing en her medications. Chavez was initial- on MayMay 5. News Digest Birkel attends weed Blood donors are everyday control conference heroes who help save lives. Max Birkel, Butler During March, Red Cross County Weed Superinten-dent Month, the American Red recently attended the Cross recognizes these life-savers, Nebraska Weed Control thanks them for their generosity encourages Association 67th Annual and Conference at the Divots others to join their ranks. Conference Center in Nor-folk Here are locations of area on Feb. 11 and 12. The blood drives operated by theme was Early Detection- volunteers and the Ameri-can Rapid Response ( EDRR) Red Cross: Butler County: March The conference covered p. Com-munity wide range of topics, 11 12 6 m. at a Hall, from the definition of early 101 Main St. in Rising City; March 13 response to addressing spe-cific p. species 12 6 m. at St. Peter’s unwanted and Church, Espla-nade mitigation planning. Catholic— — 211 in Bellwood. At the annual business Platte County( Columbus) meeting, — Todd Boller of County March— 6 11: 30 a. m. Fillmore was elected 5: 30 p. m. at First United the association’s new vice Methodist Christian Center, president. Brian Crabtree 2472 32nd Ave.; March 12 of Hamilton County was 10 4 p. at BD West president a. m. - m. — elected for 2014- Plant, 2153 12th Ave.; March 2015. 13 7 a. m. 12 p. m. at BD every training peeds and With East Plant, 605 E. 23rd St.; — offered by the NWCA, 11: 30 5: 30 p. at First. superintendent a. m.— m. each must per United Methodist Christian answer roll call twice Center,— 2472 32nd— Ave.; day, complete pass and the Polk County: March —7 exam at the end of each day 10: 30 a.—m. 4: 30 p. m. to receive 10 hours con-tinuing at Community Center, 145 education credit. N. Main St. in Polk. March There are four opportuni-ties p. per year, 10 8 a. m. 2 m. at offered and Cross— County —Community every superintendent must Schools, 1270 123rd Road in completecomplete 20 hours annually. Stromsburg. The next opportunity willwill be Saunders— County:— March NWCA Spring TrainingTraining on 14 9 a. m. 3 p. m. at AprilApril 1-2 at Central Com-Com-munity Saunders County Medical munity College in Hastings. Center, 1760 County Road J Blood drives set southwestsouthwest of Wahoo. for March — — Cherrie Beam-Clarke To Be At Mira Valley Church Speaker, Cherne Beam- Clarke will present the program, "Courage to Continue: Chang- ing Homesteads in Nebraska" on March 30, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. at the Mira Valley Evangelical United Methodist Church, fol- lowing Sunday school at 10:00 a.m., "Love Thy Neighbor" wor- ship at 11:00 a.m. and a noon potluck (bring a covered dish to share with others and your own table service). The Mira Valley Evangelical United Methodist Church is located northwest of North Loup, approximately 7.8 miles west on Highway 22, then 1 mile north on South Avenue and 1.5 miles west on 805 th Road to 47666 805 th Road, Ord, Nebraska. The day's activities, including Sunday school for all ages; back- to-the-basics "Love Thy Neigh- bor" worship service and a potluck lunch, are hosted by the Mira Valley Evangelical United Methodist Church. The speaker presentation is made possible by Humanities Nebraska, the Ne- braska Cultural Endowment, as part of the HN Speakers Bureau. This program is educa- tional and appropriate for all age groups. All of the day's activities are free of charge and open to the public. Speakers are available to any non-profit organization in Ne- braska. Each program lasts 30 minutes to an hour, plus a ques- tion-and-answer period. For information detailing the available speakers and guidelines for booking them, please access the Humanities Nebraska web site at www.humanitiesne- braska.org (Speakers section) or contact Humanities Nebraska at 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 330 , Lincoln, NE 68508 , phone (402-474-2131, fax (402)474- -4852 or e-mail info@humanities- nebraska.org. For more information on March 30th activities, contact Irene at 308-728-3976.