Regional News

Aurora
• The Memorial Health Clinic will offer sports physicals at the Aurora, Clay Center and Harvard offices during regular summer business hours through July 31. Appointments must be made for the exams. Kindergarten physicals will also be offered during the same dates. Parents are asked to bring insurance cards and students are asked to bring forms complete with their name, address, etc. Students should wear shorts and bring or wear their contacts or eyeglasses.
• The Aurora Area Chamber and Development Corporation has been presenting the “J Concert Series.” Throughout July, local musicians have performed on the Hamilton County courthouse lawn. On July 31, the concert will be presented by the Acoustic Brotherhood. Residents are asked to bring their lawn chairs, to enjoy the free concert. Aurora’s retail stores around the square will be open until 7 p.m. Contact the AACD at 694-6911 or email at chambersec@hamilton.net for further details.
• The Hamilton County Fair will be held July 24-27. Included in the entertainment will be: Thursday, 7 p.m., Mutton Bustin’/Ranch Rodeo; Friday, 7 p.m., Grone’s ODP Lawn Mower Races; Saturday, 7 p.m., Nebraska Tractor Pullers; Sunday, 7 p.m., NAPA Figure 8 Race.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska is conducting a donation drive in Aurora that will end July 22. The donation trailer is parked at the Aurora United Methodist Church. Donations of clothing and household items that are in good condition may be placed inside the trailer; however, because of limited storage space, Goodwill cannot accept furniture or large appliances. Tax donation slips will be available at the trailer. Revenue earned through the sale of donations at Goodwill retail stores help support programs for persons who have developmental disabilities or a longterm mental illness.
• The Aurora Bloodmobile will be held on July 28 and 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Call Lois Obermeier at 694-2238 or Patti Kell at 694-6370 for an appointment.
• Memorial Community Health in Aurora will celebrate the grand opening of a new $4.5 million addition which includes new, state-of-the-art surgery suites, recovery room, private rooms for pre- and post-operative care, new sterile supply department, two new labor and delivery suites and a new laboratory. The addition was named in memory of longtime Aurora resident, Ken Wortman, who was actively involved in the community and particularly health care in Aurora. He was a 1962 charter member of the board of directors of Memorial Community Health and served as president for 33 years.
The addition will allow MCHI to provide many more surgical services to the community. The primary driving force was the need to upgrade the operating rooms to meet the space and requirements of today’s technology in the operating room. With the new area, Aurora will be able to perform a wider variety of surgical procedures, including orthopedic cases, such as total hip and knee replacements. The design and planning tried to envision the surgical services of the future and provide the space and infrastructure for many innovations to come.
The new labor and delivery suites will provide more space, improved lighting and patient amenities while keeping them close to emergency services if needed.
In 2002, the MCHI laboratory began transitioning from a facility that did few tests in-house to one that does the majority of its own laboratory testing. That equipment requires space that the 1964 laboratory did not provide. The new laboratory will solve that problem for now and many years to come.
The new sterile supply area includes the latest instrument and scope washers and sterilizers to ensure stringent infection control practices are met.
The board and staff of MCHI invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 9, with tours to follow through 4 p.m. 
• The Aurora Lions Club wants area merchants to know that they are no longer working with the Hometown Super Saver card company as they are developing their own fundraiser project this year. Members of the Lions Club say they have been informed that Hometown Super Saver has been contacting businesses to sell ad spaces and “they just wanted everyone to know that they are no longer affiliated with this project.”

Benedict
• A new Bible Study, “The Art of Spiritual Listening” will meet on Mondays, at 1 p.m., at the Benedict United Methodist Church.
• The Benedict Community Association is asking everyone in the community to provide baked items and/or garden produce for a bake sale that will be held in conjunction with the Benedict Days celebration on Saturday, Aug. 9. Organizers are hoping that each family will provide at least one item (one dozen cookies, bars or muffins, one loaf of bread or garden produce), and bring them to the community center by 8:30 a.m. that day. Anyone with questions is asked to contact Sue Gottula at 732-6545. Proceeds from the sale will go toward youth activities sponsored by the BCA such as those held for Halloween and Easter, and for the presentation of dictionaries to area fifth grade students.
• Activities for the 2008 Benedict Days celebration will include: a sand volleyball tournament, free family movie night on Friday; for Saturday — a bicycle rodeo, bake sale, photography contest, climbing wall, a performance by “The String Beans,” an antique tractor show, barbecue, decorated wheel contest, parade, ice cream social, lawnmower races, a giant sprinkler, alumni banquet, beer garden and street dance; and on Sunday, a kick-ball tournament and road rally. The celebration will be held Aug. 8-10.
• Regarding the photography contest, there will be four different categories: people, scenery, action and miscellaneous. There will be two different age groups: 18 and under and adult. One photo per category may be entered and all photos must be taken by the person entering it. All photos should be 5x7-inch or larger, and it is being asked that they are matted. Photos may be dropped off on Friday, Aug. 8, between 6 and 8 p.m., at the community center. If this time doesn’t work, photos may be dropped off at the home of Angie Hild, the week before. All photos will be on display at the community center, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 9. Judging will be Friday night and the winners will be posted. Call Angie Hild at 732-6668 with questions.
• The Benedict Community Association is looking for entries for the Benedict Days Grand Parade, which will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 9. Association members are hoping that area organizations and businesses will put together floats or decorate vehicles and join in the Grand Parade. Anyone who is interested in participating is asked to contact Sue Gottula at 732-6545 by Aug. 6.
• A sand volleyball tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8 and 9. Teams will be divided into three divisions: junior high, high school and adult. To register a team, call Cindy McLean at 732-6628 by Friday, Aug. 1, and leave a message. All participants must sign a waiver. Anyone 18 and under must have a parent’s signature.
• The Benedict Community Association will sponsor a co-ed kickball tournament on Sunday, Aug. 10, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the ball field. There will be two divisions: grades K-8 and grades 9 through adult. There will be a $20 entry fee per team. Call Natalie Schlegelmilch at 732-6617 to pre-register and to obtain rules. All teams must be registered by Monday, Aug. 4. All participants must sign a waiver. Anyone 18 and under must have a parent’s signature. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams in each division.
• The Cross County Booster Club’s first annual Two-Person Scramble Golf Tournament and Fundraiser will be held Saturday, Aug. 16. Check-in is at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. A dinner and auction will immediately follow the rounds. Registration forms are available at the Benedict Village Office, Cornerstone Bank and Heritage Bank in Stromsburg — they are due July 25.
• Three village trustee seats, each with a four-year term, will be filled during the Nov. 4 General Election. The filing deadline is Aug. 1. Non-incumbents will need to file at the York County Clerk’s office at the courthouse in York.
• The United Methodist Church Administrative Board will meet on Thursday, July 24, at 8 p.m., at the church.
• The Village of Benedict Board of Health will meet Monday, July 28, at 7 p.m., at the community center.
• WELCA will meet Tuesday, July 29, at 2 p.m.
• The 2008 Benedict Alumni Banquet will be Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., at the Benedict Community Center. Reservations are due Monday, July 28.

Bradshaw
• Community coffees are held each Thursday morning, from 8-9:30 a.m., at the community center.
• Bradshaw Days will be held July 25-27. On Friday, an ice cream social will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with sand volleyball at 6 p.m., and a “fireman’s reunion” at 8 p.m. On Saturday, sand volleyball will continue, with a car show at 9 a.m., kids’ games at 10 a.m., a hamburger feed at 11 a.m. with fire engine rides, a performance of the Ultimate Dance Force at 11:30 a.m., the “VIP Presentation,” Hot Rod Mower Races at 6:30 p.m., and a street dance from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. On Sunday, a non-denominational church service will begin at 10 a.m., with fire department recognition at 1 p.m., the kids’ parade at 2:30 p.m., and the main parade at 4:30 p.m.
• A parade will be held at 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, July 27. Anyone wanting to participate in the parade should call 736-4664 or email amyhellerich@hotmail.com to reserve a spot. Line-up will start at 3:30 p.m.
• During Bradshaw Days, the senior citizens will provide homemade pie and coffee during the firemen’s hamburger feed.

Exeter
• The Exeter Senior Center schedule includes: Lunch Bunch at noon, on Tuesday, July 22, in which they will be serving creamed chicken, with the Friendship Program to follow; birthday/anniversary rolls and coffee will be served at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, July 23; open night will be held Sunday, July 27, at 6 p.m., with finger foods to be served at 6:30 p.m., with cards following; and the Lunch Bunch will meet again at noon on Tuesday, July 28, during which baked steak will be served.
• There will be no meeting of the Exeter United Methodist Women in July.
• There will be no meeting of the Exeter UCC Women’s Fellowship in July or August.
• There will be no meeting of the Exeter Senior Center Advisory Board this month.

Fairmont
• Lions Club bingo will be played on Tuesday, July 22.
• The Bookworms will meet at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, July 24, to discuss “Cold Rock River” by J.L. Miles at Donna Lefler’s home.
• Finger foods will be served at the senior center on Friday, July 25, at 5:30 p.m.
• An ice cream social will be held at the senior center on Saturday, July 26, from 5-7 p.m.

Garland
• The Garland American Legion will serve breakfast at the Legion building on July 27, from 8 a.m. until noon. Menu items will include scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage and biscuits and gravy. Call 588-2246 for more information.

Geneva
• The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department is interested in knowing if there are any HAM radio operators in the Fillmore County area. Those who are, are asked to contact the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office at 759-4441.
• The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Geneva on Wednesday, July 23, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Geneva VFW Hall. For an appointment, contact Shirley Nun at 759-4738. New donors are asked to bring a photo identification and all donors are reminded to drink plenty of fluids.
• On July 24, Geneva will become one of 22 cities treated to the “Locked and Loaded” concert tour, when Christian bands perform at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. “Pilot for Kite,” one of the bands on the tour, played in Geneva a few months ago at the United Methodist Church. The band members so enjoyed their time in Geneva, they asked to return and bring their friends. Hometown for “Pilot” is Kearney. Other bands on the tour hail from Omaha, Iowa, Wyoming, Minnesota and Michigan. The bands will travel throughout the Midwest while on tour, visiting Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana. The first band will begin performing at the fairgrounds, on July 24, around 3 p.m., and the last band will finish at approximately 10 p.m. Cost of the seven-hour concert is $4 per person. A food stand will be available on site.
• Activities this week at the Geneva Senior Center will include: Hand and Foot Canasta, plus pitch, on Wednesday at 1 p.m.; bean bag toss practice on Thursday after lunch; Canasta on Thursday afternoon; massage therapy on Thursday, through appointments made by calling 759-4921; birthday/anniversary rolls and coffee on Friday at 9 a.m.
• The Geneva City Council will meet on Monday, July 21, at 7 p.m., in the city council chambers.

Gresham
• A Wednesday morning coffee is held each week at the community center, starting at 8 a.m.
• The Summer Reading Program is now being held on Saturday mornings from 9-11 a.m., at the library. Prizes will be awarded.
• St. Peter’s LWML will meet Tuesday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m.
• The Gresham Community Club will meet Monday evening, July 28, at 8 p.m.
• The Emergency Medical Services Program of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will offer a workshop on "ATV Trauma" for emergency medical technicians and first responders. The workshop will be held at the Gresham Fire Hall, 380 Elm Street, on Tuesday, July 29, from 7-10 p.m. The workshop is worth three continuing education hours. For more information, contact Julie Smithson, South Central Nebraska emergency medical specialist, at 1-888-466-0669.

Hampton
• A “Yard of the Month” project has begun with the Hampton Community Club as the sponsor. The yard of Herb and Jean Peters, at 818  First St., was chosen for the month of June. A new yard will be chosen for July with Chamber Bucks being given to the recipients of the award each month.
• Pastor Shari Duminy will be the guest speaker at United Lutheran Church on July 27 while Pastor Chris is on vacation. Pastor Duminy is a former pastor of the church. Rev. Keith Pearson will speak on Aug. 7.

Henderson
• The Mennonite Heritage Park is open weekends and holidays during the summer months. Hours are Saturday and Sunday afternoons, from 1-4 p.m., and holidays from 1-4 p.m. It may also be open by appointment.

McCool Junction 
• The Legion Auxiliary will not have a meeting in July.
• The McCool Volunteer Fire Department will have its monthly meeting on Monday, July 28, at 7 p.m., at the fire station.

Milligan
• The next meeting of the Milligan Legion Auxiliary will be July 29, at 7:30 p.m.

Osceola
• “Hot Summer Garage Sales” will be taking place in Osceola on Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will be sponsored by the Osceola Chamber of Commerce.
• The Polk County 4-H Horse Show will be held Wednesday, July 23. Admission is free and the show begins around 8:30 a.m., at the fairgrounds.
• Entry day for all 4-H, Clover Kids and open class exhibits for the Polk County Fair is Wednesday, July 23, from 8-10 a.m.
• The Osceola Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a mixed couples night golf tournament on Friday, Aug. 1. Contact Doug Burritt at 747-2251 for more information.
• Highway 81/92, west of Osceola, by the golf course, will be closed on Tuesday, July 22, from approximately 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., for culvert work and repair. Eastbound traffic will use South Nance Street in Osceola.
• The 4-H llama show will be held Saturday, July 26, at 3 p.m., in the Pinnacle Bank arena. The public is welcome to attend.
• The next meeting of the Osceola City Council will be Aug. 12.

Seward
• The “Summer Concert Series Lunch on the Lawn” will be held at the band shell on July 25 and Aug. 29. The public may attend anytime between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Live music will be played. Meals may be ordered by the Wednesday before each date by calling 643-3695. Prepayment is required. A box lunch will be prepared by the Seward Country Club with a sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and drink. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Civic Center. The cost is $10. The proceeds will benefit abused and neglected children in Seward County. The events are hosted by the Seward County CASA.
• A Nebraska Artifact Show is coming to the Seward County Fairgrounds on Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The all-day event will feature guest speaker Dr. Matthew Hill of Iowa State University along with authentic prehistoric artifacts, artifact knapping demonstrations and archaeologists and paleontologists available for artifact and bone identification. The event is open to the public for free. Funding will be provided by the Union Bank and Trust Company, the Seward County Visitors Committee and Assurity Life Insurance Company.
• The Lied Senior Center will hold its monthly potato bake July 24, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The senior center is located at 1010 Manor Drive West in Seward. A large potato, toppings and homemade desserts will be served.
• The String Beans, an entertainment band for children, will be at the Seward Bandshell for the summer reading club finale on July 24, at 7 p.m. Last year, the group delighted the audience with their songs and antics and invited the children to participate in many of their selections. Ice cream will be served, with donations given. Children who have earned T-shirts should wear them and those who have read 500 books or more will be recognized at the event. In case of rain, the program will be relocated to the civic center auditorium.
• The public is invited to the Seward VFW’s Club Burger Night on July 25, from 5-7:30 p.m., at the Seward VFW, 243 South Ninth Street. The dinner will benefit Mary Schlueter of Seward, who has been battling breast cancer since 2006. Supplemental funds are being provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. There will be a dessert drawing and a silent auction. Contact Caredy at 643-4908 or Joan at 643-2248 for more information.
• The Seward Family Medical Center will host a Lunch and Learn session on July 25 from noon until 1 p.m., in the lower level conference room. Lori Williams, MHCS director of social services, will explain advance directives. A light lunch will be served. Reservations may be made by calling Carrie at 646-4677.
• Athletic physicals will be provided Aug. 5, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., for kids entering grades 8-12 at Seward High School. There will be a fee.
• Faith Lutheran Church in Seward will host a blood drive on July 28, from 1-5 p.m.
• Seward County Head Start is looking for children between the ages of 3 and 5. The program is free to families that meet income guidelines and provides education, health, nutrition and social services. Call Becky Hulse at 643-6272 for more information.
• Parents are welcome to visit the Seward Youth Center and volunteer between 3 and 6 p.m., daily, to learn more about the after-school program, “Hang Time.” Changes have been made at the center. More information is available at www.sewardyouthcenter.org.
• The Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music will hold a worship conference called “Sing to the Lord a New Song,” at Concordia University and St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, July 22-25. The services are free to the public. If anyone would like to register for the conference, they should call the LCMS Commission on Worship at 314-1265. Online registrations closed July 1. People do not need to register for the conference if they simply are coming to the services. For more information, call 643-2983.

Stromsburg
• A blood drive, sponsored by the Salem Lutheran Church Youth Group will be held Friday, July 25, from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall at Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg. Contact Sherry Oberg at 366-8244 to make an appointment.

Utica
•  The Get Along Gang 4-H Club is sponsoring the "Redneck Throne" this summer. For $10, participants can have a "throne" delivered to a yard of their choice for a 24-hour time period. For an additional $5, a message or clue can be included, as to who sent it. If the "throne" is placed in a yard, the resident may choose to allow it remain there for 24 hours or pay a $10 removal fee. This fee must be paid at the time of delivery. Individuals who fear its presence in their yards may purchase insurance for $10. This will guarantee the "throne" will not be placed in their yard. This nightly event will run through mid-August. For booking or insurance, call Emily Hemphill at 534-2205. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the York Adopt-A-Pet and the Seward Memorial Hospital.
• During Utica Heritage Days, on Saturday, July 26, there will be a quilt show at the Utica Senior Center. If anyone has quilts they would like to have displayed, they should call Sandi Swanson at 534-4791.
• The Utica American Legion Post 49 will hold its annual beef barbecue on July 26, from 5-8 p.m. The event will take place at the Legion Post Home. 
• Help is wanted to deliver Meals on Wheels. Requirements are “a car, driver's license and a big heart.” Contact Ardella Bredwell at 534-2951 to apply.
• Heritage Days will be celebrated in Utica July 25-26-27. See flyers posted around town for all the activities. There's something for all ages!

 Waco
• The Peace Lutheran Ladies Aid meets every Thursday at 1 p.m.
• Peace Lutheran LWML of Waco will have its ice cream social from 5-8 p.m., on July 25. They will be serving vanilla and strawberry ice cream with homemade desserts. A freewill offering will be taken.

York
• The third annual team triathlon will be held Saturday, July 26, hosted by the York Parks and Recreation Department. It will start at 7 a.m., at the family aquatic center. Teams of three will swim, bike and run their way to the finish line. There will be a men's, women's, co-ed and a new individual division. The team fee is $60 and includes T-shirts for all participants. Teams must pre-register at the community center by Wednesday, July 14. For more information, contact the community center at 363-2630.
• It’s time to register for York Youth Soccer. Registrations may be picked up at the York Community Center and Cornerstone Bank locations. Registrations are due Aug. 8. Late registrations will be accepted through Aug. 15, but not after. Games will begin Sept. 9.
• Cornerstone Bank will host its 26th annual non-sanctioned tennis tournament on Aug. 16 and 17, at Levitt Tennis Courts. Entries will be limited to one single and one double. The matches will be the best of three sets with a 12-point tiebreaker at 6-all. Registration forms are available at any Cornerstone Bank or on the bank’s website at www.cornerstoneconnect.com — click on the tennis tournament icon. The entry deadline is noon, on Wednesday, Aug. 13. There is a entry fee. Pairings will be available after noon on Friday, Aug. 15, from Mandy Hengelfelt at Cornerstone Bank at 363-7423 before 5 p.m. — and they will be listed on the website.
• The York County Commissioners recently had public hearings regarding the county’s zoning regulations, livestock units, setback regulations, housing subdivisions, etc. (refer to the Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17, publications of the York News-Times). They are currently accepting written testimony/opinion on the matter. These comments may be directed to the county board, in care of the York County Clerk, 510 Lincoln Avenue., York, NE 68467. The matter will be discussed again during the afternoon session of the July 29 board meeting.