The Blue Hill Leader

Heat, storms don\\\'t slow Webster County Fair

Through excessive heat warnings and evening storms didn\'t slow the Webster County Fair and Rodeo.

The weather did not dissuade the fans from coming out and supporting the 4-H and FFA youth during their static displays and animal shows.

Two new awards made their debut at the 2011 fair.

Look for more in the July 20 edition of the Blue Hill Leader and in our upcoming Webster County Fair section.

Campbell celebrates Q125

Clickto view more photos from the Campbell Q125 celebration.

\"One World, Many Stories\"

Children have been on a world-wide adventure through the Blue Hill Public Library this summer. The six week summer reading program "One World, Many Stories" has provided a passport to different lands and cultures throughout the series.

The program wrapped up on June 30.

Look for more in the June 29 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Community bids goodbye to Joel Wagoner at Tailgate Party

As Joel Wagoner made his way through the Blue Hill Elementary School gym on Monday evening, it was evident how much he cared for others and they cared for him.

Well wishes, and sentiments of how much he will be missed echoed through the crowd, as each person in attendance at the tailgate party in his honor said goodbye.

Wagoner said he is very appreciative of all the people who came out to visit and say their good-byes at the party, sharing that he has a deep love for the people in the community.

He is thankful for their "love... acceptance and kindness in a multitude of ways."

Look for more in the June 29 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Fun and Fireworks--Blue Hill hosts Fourth of July festivities

Folks celebrated past and present in the annual Fourth of July celebrations in Blue Hill.

Children\'s activities, athletic competitions and car and tractor shows highlighted the daytime activities.

The theme of the evening parade \"Blue Hill Through the Decades\" brought many creative interpretations of memories from Blue Hill\'s past.

Following the evening parade, people dispersed to their favorite spot to watch the fireworks.

Look for more in the July 6 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

School in Ayr hopes to \"Bring Home the Bacon\" through contest

Ayr Public Schools has the chance to win $2,500 in a competition sponsored by Progressive Swine Technologies of Columbus, NE.

The competition is called "Pigs-on-the-Playground" and ten schools across Nebraska have designed and displayed pigs to celebrate pork production with creativity and style.

You may vote once per hour through August 26 at http://www.pstdanbred.com/Vote.asp.

If Ayr Public School wins, they will use the money toward field trip expenses.

Look for more in the July 6 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Blue Hill holds basketball camp

Fourth through eighth graders participated in the Blue Hill basketball camp, which was held at the Blue Hill High School gym on June 2.

Blue Hill FFA receives donation

Bill Jacobs and Jake Tenhoff presented Jordyn Atwater, Amelia Petska and Melisa Bonifas with a $500 check on June 2 for the Blue Hill FFA chapter.

Tenhoff is with Norder, Blue Hill, one of the companies pledging money to support local FFA chapters.

Jacobs is with Syngenta, Hastings, which adds a matching donation to every $2,500 pledged by its retail customers. This funding supports both the national FFA organization and a local FFA chapter, such as Blue Hill. The money donated is to help students with personal development, leadership and communication skills and the pursuit of career options in agriculture.

Look for more in the June 8 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Bladen, Campbell prepare for upcoming Q125 festivities

Both Bladen and Campbell will celebrate their 125-yearl anniversary in 2011.

Bladen's celebration will take place on June 18, beginning with the 5k walk/run at 8:30 a.m. and lasting late into the night.

Campbell's celebration will take place over three days, July 8-10. Throughout the whole weekend, Campbell memorabilia will be on display as well as keepsake items available for purchase at the community hall. Also throughout the celebration, quilts will be on display at the Presbyterian church.

Look for more in the June 8 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Region sees a week with severe storms and high humidity

Many area residents took cover on May 30 and June 1 as severe weather approached.

The May 30 storms reached Holstein and the western edge of Campbell before the severity slowed down.

Firemen in Holstein spotted rotation in the clouds and sounded the sirens. Winds reached 60-65 mph, and the storms produced hail over Holstein, some up to softball size.

Mid-week forecasts hinted at chances for more severe weather late in the week, but never materialized. Even with two storms, rainfall remained under two inches, with most areas receiving even less than one inch.

Look for more in the June 8 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Brothers travel Oregon Trail by wagon

Two men are travelling the Oregon Trail this summer, and stayed overnight in Blue Hill on May 27, on the property of Frank Reis.

The travellers are Rinker Buck, a journalist and author from Connecticut and his brother, Nick Buck, who works in the construction industry and lives in Maine.

Their intention is to make it at least to Idaho before winter, and may proceed into Oregon if weather permits.

Look for more in the June 8 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Fitness Center and Golf Course host Two Person Scramble June 3

Blue Hill Golf Course and Blue Hill Fitness Center hosted a Two Person Scramble golf tournament June 3 to benefit the golf course and fitness center.

25 teams participated in the competition, which organizer Lori Meents, said was a \"great turnout.\"

Meents said the weather was beautiful for the event, and overall everything ran well.

Look for more, including a full list of winners in the June 8 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Multiple storms in area lead to heavy ground saturation

The few wet weeks south central Nebraska experienced in mid-May led to widespread ground saturation. Following this, the storms that rolled through in late May, especially the rainfall May 24 and 25, led to widespread low-level flooding. Most of south central Nebraska was under a flood warning during the storm.

The severe weather did start to clear up on the afternoon of May 25, aided by the strong winds from north-northeast. That Wednesday afternoon was not the end of the precipitation, however, as isolated storms continued throughout the area through Memorial Day weekend.

Look for more in the June 1 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Veterans groups hold services in honor of Memorial Day

Local veterans groups led Memorial Day services Sunday and Monday.

Sunday afternoon, V.F.W. Post #9984 hosted a service at the East Lawn Cemetery.

Monday morning, Blue Hill Legion Post #176 held their service at the Blue Hill Cemetery.

"Let us never forget the high price that was paid so that you and I could be here," said Pastor Harold King, of Zion, Wanda and St. Paul, Holstein, during his address in Blue Hill.

The Honor Guard visited the cemetery in Cowles Monday morning and Services were also held in Campbell and Holstein in honor of Memorial Day.

Look for more in the June 1 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Officials operate drug sting in Roseland

Adams County and Hastings law enforcement assisted in a search for a fugitive in Roseland May 25.

The sting operation was with a federal case with drug-related charges and a sealed warrant.

Look for more in the June 1 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Tailgate Party to thank Joel Wagoner

The Blue Hill Booster Club is hosting a Tailgate Party at school in appreciation of Joel Wagoner as he leaves Blue Hill and his work videotaping school and community events.

The event will be June 20 5:30 p.m. at the school. Please note the date change!

Look for more on this event in upcoming editions of the Blue Hill Leader!

Frank and JoAnn Beach retire after 30 years of driving for Silver Lake

Frank and JoAnn Beach have been the first Silver Lake School staff greeting students in the morning and the last to say goodbye at the end of school for thirty years.

For Frank and JoAnn, the summer break of the 2011 year, signaled a significant change to their route. Following their last regular route trip on May 19, the Beaches were officially retired.

"They've been great employees for silver Lake," said superintendent Ken Mahoney. "Safety has always been their strong point," he continued.

Look for more in the May 25 edition of the Blue Hill Leader!

\'Minute to win it\' comes to Bladen

Silver Lake Elementary students enjoyed a "Minute To Win It" style contest on their last day of school May 19.

The Bladen 125 committee prepared the games and supplied materials and volunteers to run the games.

Look for more in the May 25 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Muhleisen recalls war experiences

World War II veteran LaVern Muhleisen has not missed a single Memorial Day service.

As a 64-year member of American Legion Post 176, he has attended the Blue Hill service the majority of the years. He said he has gone to Memorial Services both in Grand Island and Hastings as well. Muhleisen joined the American Legion shortly after returning from serving in the 84th Infantry Division in Europe in December of 1945.

The 84th Infantry Division, also known as the "Railsplitters," saw combat in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe during World War II.

Look for more in the May 25 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.

Veterans groups plan services in honor of Memorial Day

Veterans groups are preparing for their annual Memorial Day services to honor fallen servicemen and women. Services will feature military honors, local ministers and other civic participation.

Bladen: Sunday, May 29, 2 p.m. at East Lawn Cemetery.

Blue Hill: Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. at Blue Hill Cemetery.

Campbell: Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. at Campbell American Legion Hall.

Cowles: Monday, May 30 Honor Guard at cemetery 9:30 a.m.

Holstein/Roseland: Monday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the Holstein Fire Hall.

Look for more in the May 25 edition of the Blue Hill Leader.