THOMAS COUNTY Your Source Of News In The Sandhills THOMAS COUNTY, THEDFORD, NEBRASKA 69166 (USPS 596-550) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017 NO. 14 Coen Brothers movie shoot Western Nebraska Bank Donates concludes in Scottsbluff area $2,000 To Thedford Rural Fire District COURTESY PHOTO “The Gal Who Got Rattled” Producers scouting locations in western Nebraska. The Nebraska Film office and the Ne- erated from the activity. With the COURTESY PHOTO braska Department of Economic De- completion of filming, the producers Reed Larsen (left), AVP at Western Nebraska Bank, presents Mike Finney, Presi- velopment are excited to announce will be able to provide an accurate dent of the Thedford Rural Fire District Board with a check for $2,000. the conclusion of the recent filming in amount of expenses while in western western Nebraska. The Coen Brothers Nebraska and the city of Scottsbluff Western Nebraska Bank building to operate,” said stock. We are very appre- and Pan Shot Productions have com- will have sales receipts for September recently donated $2,000 David Hamilton Secre- ciative of our local volun- pleted a 50 day shoot with the last two sometime in November. “We are really towards the development tary/Treasurer of the teers,” says Michael Kelly, and a half weeks in the Scottsbluff looking forward to learning what was of the new Thedford Fire board. Western Nebraska Bank area. The resulting project will be re- actually left here in retail expenses,” Hall for the volunteer “Western Nebraska Chairman and CEO. leased sometime next year on Netflix. said Starr Lehl, Economic Develop- Thedford Fire Depart- Bank has locations in Pur- Western Nebraska Bank Pan Shot Productions and Anna- ment Director for Scottsbluff. “We ment. dum, North Platte, Curtis is a community and agri- purna Television, a division of Anna- think we will all be pleasantly sur- “The new building has and Paxton, and we know culture focused bank with purna Pictures, began production on prised.” seven bays, fire trucks and understand what it emphasis on local deci- “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” in The production “crewed up” out of parked in four of them, takes for a small commu- sion making. We under- New Mexico in mid- July and ended in the Santa Fe area and moved as an the ambulances occupy nity to thrive. Local volun- stand the opportunities the Scottsbluff area September 27 army to all the various states and loca- two more and the last one teer fire departments are and challenges that are with filming just west of Scottsbluff tions. Several Nebraska-based produc- is a service bay. The origi- essential in these small unique to our Western Ne- on the North Platte River. Other loca- tion assistants, drivers, wranglers and nal fire station in Thed- ag-based towns and are in- braska customers who are tions in the area included the FX and security guards were added to this ford was built in the tegral in saving lives, in agriculture and busi- the Hughson Ranches in Sioux core crew in Scottsbluff. 1960’s and there was min- ranches, homes and live- ness. County. A 19th century period piece, A casting call was held at the Mid- imal space inside the the scenes called for rolling hills, iso- west Theatre in Scottsbluff where over lated look, and few trees. 700 “ordinary” looking people were “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is a given the chance to find stardom as Local Historical Marker Top 15 feature-length omnibus consisting of an extra. Forty people were hired six separate stories, all Westerns. The from that group as extras to comple- Finalist In Summer Photo Contest longest segment, entitled “The Gal ment the “wagon train” heading west- Who Got Rattled” was filmed entirely ward across the prairie. Horses, dogs, on location in Nebraska and follows chickens, pigs and a variety of ani- two wagon bosses on the Oregon Trail mals also participated in the journey. and a woman who needs the help of The producers and directors were in one of them and who might be a mar- awe of the landscape most of all. The riage prospect for the other. additional treat was the Nebraska hos- This area has not seen a period film pitality they came to love. “Everyone production since 1979 when the CBS here is so nice,” was heard over and TV episodic series, “The Chisholms” over again. starring Robert Preston and Rose- Few if any of the production team mary Harris filmed on location in and had ever spent significant time in Ne- around Bayard and Chimney Rock. A braska. The project was an opportu- decade before the Chisholms, George nity to spread the word that we are Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola’s open to the film industry. Producers, “The Rain People,” with Robert Duval, directors, their families, from all over James Caan and Shirley Knight filmed the country -- New York, Los Angeles, this contemporary feature in the Ogal- Santa Fe and many other cities -- lala and Brule areas in 1969. “This found western Nebraska to be a treas- will be the first production to really ure. “This was a great opportunity to showcase the open prairie and Ore- showcase the beauty of our state,” said gon Trail terrain from a well-known Laurie Richards. “We are fortunate team of directors and producers,” said they wanted to film here and we knew Laurie Richards, Nebraska Film Offi- just where this would all work out, the cer. “Nebraska’s landscape has a Oregon Trail in western Nebraska! It prominent role in the filming.” was a very good fit. We took the loca- WAYNE HATHAWAY PHOTO The economic impact of the project tion manager to North Platte, Ogallala The Haumann Sisters Historical marker on the Courthouse Square in Thedford while filming in Nebraska will be sub- and Bayard areas. He loved what he is one of 15 finalists in the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation Summer stantial. For three weeks, 250 motel saw, but wanted to see more. Addi- Photo Contest. The photo was taken by former Stapleton resident, Wayne Hath- rooms were booked in the Scottsbluff tional scouting of the area north of away, now of Sterling, Nebraska. area. Many local businesses were Scottsbluff sealed the deal,” said called upon to provide their services Richards. The Nebraska State His- not only has its own his- identification selection during this time. Road grading, fence The Coen Brothers not only received torical Society Founda- tory, but also its own pic- process. Committee mem- moving, gravel hauling, port-a-johns, the Keys to the City of Scottsbluff, tion (NSHSF) announced turesque landscape to bers included Bob restaurant services, coffee houses, they also received recognition from the top 15 photo finalists appreciate and capture,” Puschendorf, Dee Adams, crew clothing, rental cars, petroleum, the Governor as Admirals in the Ne- for the Summer Photo said Leslie Fattig, NSHSF Margaret Berry, Glenna horse and oxen boarding, antique braska Navy. “Walking on the windy Contest. The summer Executive Director. Berry-Horton, Trixie stores, hardware, activity at the re- prairie was like bobbing on the ocean photo contest was created The top 15 photos were Schmidt and Leslie Fattig. gional airport, were but a few of the and as easily disorienting,” said one to raise awareness about captured by the following Final results will be an- local commercial retail and service producer. the Nebraska Marker Proj- Nebraskan photogra- nounced at the Nebraska providers to see a substantial increase “They were overwhelmed with it all ect, an NSHSF initiative to phers: State Historical Society in sales during the pre-production and hope to come back someday. We help raise funds to re- Wayne Hathaway – Ster- Annual Meeting, Thurs- and filming stages. encouraged them to consider opening paint, repair and replace ling, Nebraska (2 Photos) day, October 12. Many of these businesses will also be a “western office” in Scottsbluff,” said historical markers in Jamie Connell – Gering, The Nebraska State His- busy during the post-production Richards. “The Coens just smiled -- need of maintenance. Nebraska torical Society Founda- phases and see additional income gen- both of them!” More than 170 online Jeff Barnes – Omaha, Ne- tion supports the submissions were re- braska (3 Photos) preservation, interpreta- ceived during June, July Paul Leeper – Grand Is- tion, and appreciation of Index Inside This Issue Notices and August. The top 15 land, Nebraska Nebraska history. As a • L.J.’s Column photos are posted to the James Frohman – Lin- 501(c)(3) organization, the Legal Page ....................2 • Notice To Bidders NSHSF’s Facebook page coln, Nebraska NSHSF works directly • Over The Hills Community • Thedford School for a public vote. The Vern Greunke – Cedar with donors on their • Happenings On three photos that receive Bluffs, Nebraska (3 Pho- funding priorities in sup- Calendar......................2 The Hill District Public Notice the most engagement tos) port of countless Ne- (likes, reactions, com- Ryan Krenk – Pleasant braska State Historical Social Side ....................3 • Life’s Outtakes • Board Of Opinion Page.................4 ments, shares) through Dale, Nebraska Society programs, proj- • Odds & Ends Equalization October 5 will receive Colleen Childers – ects, and events. Comics ..........................4 • Pelster Column Proceedings recognition and awards Grand Island, Nebraska You may view the win- Classified Page..............5 • Sandhills & Thedford • Thomas County during the Nebraska State Gretchen Garrison – Lin- ning photos online at: Business Directory ........5 Historical Society annual coln, Nebraska Project Website: School Activities Commissioners’ meeting in October. Troy Barker – Auburn, http://nshsf.org/the-ne- School News .................6 • FCCLA Students Proceedings The contest encouraged Nebraska braska-marker-project/ Sports............................7 Attend Leadership professional and amateur The top 15 photos were NSHSF Facebook Page: • Help Wanted photographers to share selected by a committee MNAC Tournament Workshop https://www.facebook.co Thomas County each marker’s unique en- of art and history repre- m/NebraskaStateHistori- • SkillsUSA Selling Bracket ........................8 Visitors Committee vironment through pho- sentatives through a blind calSocietyFoundation/ Butter Braids tography.