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 GROUNDHOG DAY 2013

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What great weather we had for Groundhog Day this year!

The festivities started at 7 a.m. with the Groundhog Central Committee

hosting breakfast at the Duncan Building.

BREAKFAST EATERS SHOW OFF THEIR BEADS

At approximately 7:30 a.m., Unadilla Bill went outside to "stand" on Main

Street, and good news, we will have an early spring as Bill did not see

his shadow.

UNADILLA BILL & BOB BRANDT 

Then it was on to the Community Center. Peggy Leefers did a great job

soliciting vendors and organizing this event. All the vendors reported

good sales and Prelle Catering ran out of food. Christie Brehm put

together a wonderful quilt display in the quiet room. They were absolutely

beautiful.

Summer Wardyn shows off her Groundhog face 

At 10:30 a.m., Darrel Draper portraying Theodore Roosevelt, appeared.

There were approximately 175 people in the audience for the 45

minute presentation. As always, he enlisted help from the audience.

Lee Clark & Rose Marie Brandt as President Roosevelt's parents 

We are so lucky to receive funding from the Nebraska Humanities

Council and the Unadilla Area Fund for these annual, historical

presentations. The silent auction ended at noon with many great items

being donated this year thanks to local merchants.

Back to the Duncan Buildings where soup and jerky entries had to be

checked in by parade time. The parade started right at 1:00 p.m.

led by the color guard of the Legion/VFW posts from Syracuse

and the offical Groundhog Falcon.

This year's Grand Marshalls were John & Taryn Vanderford, from

Channel 10 & 11, and their children.

Winners: First, Boy Scout Troop #337; Second, Palmyra Action

League/Snoopy; Third, John Moss/antique cars; and Fourth,

B&G Express/Bus.

B & G Express from Omaha

There were a few surprises this year, and the Ebert family

outdid themselves with their "Cornhogsters".

Bonnie Ebert Mertens leads the way

Does anyone know who the 3-piece marching band was?

The crowd numbered around 400. Thanks to Bill Farmer and

Perry Stoner, Masters of Ceremonies.

The drawing of the commemorative rifle was held. This year's winner was

Cheryl Hopp Bohling. In the case of not wanting the rifle, she will receive

$500. A huge thank you to Larry & Margo Larson, Maureen Vogt,

and Donna Crownover for raffle sales and silent auction duties.

We had a record number of

soup and jerky entries this year. Thanks to Michele Capps for

overseeing this event! Soup judges were: Matt Capps, Jill Sheeler,

and Kelly Beck. Jerky judges were: Jason Hurt, Aaron Rule, and

Gabe Meints. Winners in the soup contest chili division:

Allison Thoms & Duane Hansen tied for first with Jen Bassinger;

vegetable division: Allison Thoms & Duane Hansen with their

"Garden Bounty"; and the "Other" division was Patty Beechum

with her "Turkey & Wild Rice".

First place winner in the jerky contest was Reagan Wilhelm,

2nd place went to Brian Zahn, and third to Pressley Wilhelm.

Congratulations to all of you!

And thanks to Nina Jean Rohlfs for her musical accompaniment.

Queen Bonnie Ebert Mertens  & King Brian Zahn

Then it was off to The Bar for the coronation. Bonnie Ebert Mertens, Lincoln,

was crowned the new Queen. (It was her actual birthday, and in true

queen fashion, she declined to tell us her age!) Bonnie and her

family are great Groundhog Day supporters. Brian Zahn, Unadilla,

was crowned King. Brian has some pretty big footsteps to follow,

but he's off to a good start! The contest raised over $3200. for

the Fire & Rescue. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your

support of this event.

Other activities were held at the Methodist Church, Unadilla Hardware,

Area 51, and garage sales at the Anderson's. I also need to thank Bob

Wilhelm for helping clean up, Michele & Matt Capps for set up,

and last, but probably the most important, Bob Brandt, for having

this idea in the first place, and for hanging in there for 25 years.

If I've left anyone out, please forgive me.

We had a ball this year - put us on your calendars for 2014!

(Groundhog Day photos will be added to the 2013 "Events" tab

above over the next two weeks.)

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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

2-6   Keith & Sandi Kimbell

2-8   Nyle Bartling

2-10   Pat Lechner, Erin Brehm Velazco

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NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO

Friday, 2-7-1913, The Otoe Union:

The Latter Day Saints were holding services at Pleasant

Prairie School. Luke Kirk died and was buried at Warner Cemetery.

C.W. Lyon reported "on January 25th he heard frogs piping, saw the

frog, so there was no imagination about the matter. He thinks that

means and early spring." Ray DuBois was in Palmyra assisting

T.J. Nash in his new meat market.

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Left: Ann Hutable-Scates, David Willingham, Melinda Mead, Sharie Hoelker, Brandy Palatas, Allison Tiller, Randy Young, and Brenda Jones

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VALENTINES DAY LUNCH AT ART CHICKS

FEBRUARY 15 AND 16!

Wear red and come have a fun day with us. Special Valentines Day menu to make you feel loved. Champagne Watermeleon Cocktails will warm your heart. Free Valentines "Make and Take" art project.

February 14th is my Mom's birthday so we are really going to celebrate. All Moms over 80 get a free lunch!!! I'm on the hunt for a crazy red formal to rock. Call now to reserve your table, 11:30 and 1:00 with 2:30 all ages seating. $12.96 adults and $10.00 kids.

Call 402-234-2669 for reservations

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LOFTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Left: Jamion Biesterfeld, Lynn Plucknett, Joseph Hall, Anne Pope, Jean Colbert

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Irish Music Concert

Greenblatt & Seay's Schoolhouse Performance Series features a concert of Irish music on Sunday, March 10, at 2:30 PM. Greenblatt & Seay & Friends will be singing and playing a variety of instruments, including fiddle, pennywhistle, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and banjo. Traditional Irish tunes will be featured, along with some Greenblatt & Seay originals inspired by the great Irish traditions. Greenblatt & Seay have been playing and singing together since the night they met, decades ago. Their performance on March 10 will include the championship fiddling styles of Deborah Greenblatt, and the fancy whistle-playing of David Seay. The concert will be downstairs, and followed by light refreshments, and a chance to chat and even jam with the performers. Avoca is in southern Cass County, Nebraska, on the 13 C Spur, one mile south of Highway 34. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and senior citizens, and $1.00 for children. Seating is limited.For more information, write to Greenblatt & Seay, The Old Schoolhouse, P.O. Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307, or call 402-275-3221, or e-mail them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.". The historic Old Avoca Schoolhouse was built in 1925, and has been the home of the Schoolhouse Performance Series since 1990. Music lessons, workshops, fiddle camps, and field trips are offered by Schoolhouse residents, Greenblatt & Seay, and are available by appointment

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SCHOOLHOUSE IRISH FIDDLING CAMP

The Old Avoca Schoolhouse in Avoca, Nebraska will be hosting a special "Schoolhouse Irish Fiddling Camp", for fiddlers, violists, guitarists, and ukulele players. The sessions will be led by championship fiddler and author, Deborah Greenblatt. The camp will be on Wednesday, March 13 - Friday, March 15, from 9 AM to 1 PM. You can sign up for 1 day, or 2 days, or all 3 days. On Wednesday, participants will be mostly reading tunes, using sheet music in standard notation. We'll be learning melodies, harmonies, and chords. You will be improving your sight reading, and experiencing fiddling fun. On Thursday, we will be mostly playing tunes by ear, so feel free to bring your recording gadgets. Sheet music versions of the tunes will be provided for you by the end of camp, just in case your ears need the help. On Friday, we will be mostly jamming, modulating, singing, dancing, experimenting, sharing, and playing fiddle related instruments. One day: $60.00 Two days: $110.00 ($55 per day) Three days: $150.00 fee for 3 days. ($50 per day) Enrollment for the "Schoolhouse Irish Fiddling Camp" is limited, so e-mail Deborah This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in participating, or if you have any questions.

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Send me your ideas, photos, and news at:

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Have a GREAT week!

Barb