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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol responded to nearly 150 weather-related incidents on Nebraska roadways on Christmas Day. Troopers responded to 28 crashes and performed 117 motorist assists as much of the state experienced a white Christmas. The vast majority of the incidents did not involve injuries. One crash, which occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. Monday, resulted in the closure of eastbound Interstate 80 for approximately three hours while cleanup took place. There were no injurie...


This is kind of a Christmas story. It's a reflection on angels and the meaning associated with giving, it's about Gloria in excelsis Deo and shepherds and proclamations of good news. She first appeared before me on a mellow December evening, cast against an ebony sky. Something about her presence caught my attention. She looked wild, untamed even. Yet, at the same time she brought such a sense of peace. A yellow-gold aura of light outlined her form. I could not stop staring at her, feeling a...

With the end of the darkest days of the year and the anticipation of Christmas, we, in the Legislature, are making final preparations for the session in January. Sen, Kauth's LB575, the Sports and Spaces Act, remains poised to be the topic of contention during the next session. This bill would require sports participation and access to bathrooms in schools to align with one's biological gender. With the attention Nebraska received this year from an historic filibuster, state senators were...

Remember the Christmas bonus? Probably a thing of past given the changed face of the workplace. Perhaps your "bonus" allows you to work from home. Be grateful the next time you slide in behind your computer, in your jammies at some odd hour to complete a project. It seems that even the work-from-home mentality is changing in favor of the hybrid work week – two or three days in the office and two or three days working remotely. The latest figures from the University of Nebraska at Omaha's C...
In 1946, a new tradition was born in Nebraska’s Christmas City. A Methodist minister and a drama teacher in Minden put their heads together to dream up a new Christmas pageant. Their play, which would come to be called the “Light of the World” pageant, brought the Christmas story to life with color and excitement. Minden was already known as the Christmas City because of its outstanding lights display and beautiful church choirs. But in 1946, President of the Chamber Harold Pedley was looking for something more to distinguish the city. When...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Dec. 13, 2023 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, at 7 p.m. President Steve Thiele opened the meeting, which was advertised in the Dec. 6 newspapers, to order at 7 p.m. Thiele noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the room. Roll call was taken. Present: Ed Nordby, Nate Schwager, Scott Thiele, Steve Thiele, Austin Twibell, Jeremy Wagner. Motion by Wagner, seconded by Twibell, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting aye: Nordby,...

The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Department of Transportation are urging travelers be prepared for a winter storm that will bring potentially hazardous driving conditions. "The expected severity of this storm has increased over the last couple of days and will now pose significant travel challenges across the state," said Vicki Kramer, director of the NDOT. "NDOT is ready as this storm affects Nebraska, but we urge travelers to assess whether their travel is absolutely necessary before...

Have you started Christmas shopping or are you one of those people who have completed the task and have everything wrapped? I belong to the first group. While I blame my tardiness on my over-scheduled time, part of me also knows I don't need to hurry because I can get everything I need locally. The push for shopping local hit home last week, when a 20-something year old shopped the Sidebar for holiday gifts. She told me she's "keeping it local." Her holiday gift giving will feature only items...

Employees of Antelope Memorial Hospital were recognized for years of service and Caring Kind at the Antelope Memorial Hospital Christmas party, held Friday, Dec. 8, at the American Legion in Neligh. Receiving awards for number of years honored are (front row, l-r): Heather Dawson (30), Carrie Schrader (15), Kelli Osborn (5), Christine Counts (30), Charlene Hughes (45), Cindy Rice (20); (back row, l-r): Dr. Roger Rudloff (15), Michelle Meuret (5), Philip Hart (25), Sarah Luebe (15), Kathryn...
The Summerland Advocate-Messenger will accept letters to Santa through Friday, Dec. 15, at noon. Youngsters are invited to submit letters via mail at Santa c/o Summerland Advocate-Messenger, PO Box 277, Clearwater, NE 68726. Letters may also reach Santa via email at lschindler@summerlandadvocate.com Letters will run in the Christmas edition of SAM....

Summerland School's music department will offer two holiday concerts on Monday, Dec. 11. At 6 p.m., kindergarten through sixth-grade students will present the annual Christmas play, under the direction of Sarah Kesting. The performance will take place in the main gym. Grades seven through 12 music students will present musical selections, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the auxiliary gym. Emily Heithoff will direct and Carol Thiele will be accompany choir and band students....

What is the best gift found around any Christmas tree? According to syndicated columnist Burton Hillis, the answer is "a happy family all wrapped up in each other." Friday, while sorting a few holiday items in the Sidebar, in preparation for a vendor show, I unfolded a quilted table runner and immediately was transported to my grandparents' home in Tilden. The pink and black floral print, swatches patched together with coordinating colors, resembled a queen-size quilt and matching pillow cases m...

Whether you're looking for stocking stuffers for youngsters, the perfect holiday decor or a unique present for the person who has everything, Saturday's Holiday Marketplace will offer a wide array of holiday gift ideas. The event, planned at The Office, located at 522 Main Street, in Clearwater, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to The Sidebar, a craft and food boutique featuring Nebraska-based artisans, vendors on site will help shoppers find artwork, jewelry, holiday items, home...

Clearwater residents will begin the holiday season with an old-fashioned Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 3. Between 5 and 7:30 p.m., soup, sandwiches, desserts and drinks will be served at the American Legion. Donations to the Antelope County Food Pantry will be accepted. Canned items may be dropped off at the event. Sleigh rides will be available on Main Street through the event.Santa Claus will make an appearance, so youngsters are urged to bring a wish list to share with jolly old St. Nick. The...

There will be plenty of holly, jolly and Christmas lights, Sunday, when the Ewing Young Members Club presents its annual parade of lights. Early registrations are accepted via email at ewingsummerfunfest@gmail.com. Lineup for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m., at the football field. The parade will proceed to Nebraska Street and travel through the business district, beginning at 6 p.m. Santa will visit the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church after the parade and be available for...

An email landed in my inbox and caught my attention. I don’t watch a lot of television, unless the Weather Channel and sporting events count. And, if by some chance I watch a network show, I’m continually disillusioned by the number of advertisements promising health benefits ... until you read the fine print and learn all the unwanted side effects. According to newly-released data from the Federal Communications Commission, based on complaints about commercials, the top five most con...

“I don’t need stress; I need my shopping bag. It’s almost Black Friday.” Um, I’ve never uttered those words, much alone given day-after-Thanksgiving sales a lot of thought. I’ve gone shopping on Black Friday a handful of times. The first time was nearly 25 years ago. The Menards sales ad listed several great deals and our family decided we needed a certain item from the circular. What item? I don’t remember. I’m sure it was some insignificant piece of plastic made outside of the USA, but hey, t...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 13, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in “Summerland Advocate-Messenger,” was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kel...
Baby, it may be hot outside, but the meal deal offered by the Orchard Historical Society will be cool. On July 13, stop by the Rex Theatre, between 5 and 7 p.m., for Santa's meal selection, which includes a smoked brisket sandwich, macaroni salad and walking strawberry pretzel dessert. A freewill donation will be accepted, with a suggested price of $10....

With the official start of summer quickly approaching, The 402 Theater Group offers more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved by providing entertainment for the community. Jillian Henn, of Orchard, is one of the creators of The 402 Theatre Group. "The 402 Theater Group is a community inspired to bring the performing arts to rural communities," she said. The group started in 2022, when Orchard resident Don Lallier posted an ad around town to gather interest in starting a theater...

The 108th Legislature, First Session, has adjourned sine die. This past year, lawmakers passed some important bills and failed to agree on other critical issues. Excluding A bills, of the 820 bills and 274 resolutions introduced this year, only 33 bills and one resolution actually received a final vote. However, the bills passed included many expansive Christmas tree packages, meaning the Legislature actually passed 291 bills in total, including A bills. This figure is comparable to the last...

The word “gift” has been on my mind lately and it’s been churning, causing me to contemplate the significance of the term. A memory sparked, involving gifts. I’m certain that’s why it’s been lingering, nagging at me like a penny waiting to be picked up and examined. Years ago, during family Christmas, we’d pile gifts in the middle of our grandparents’ living room. Sometimes, we drew numbers, other times, we’d go oldest to youngest or vice versa, to determine who would be first to select a packa...

Years ago, on late evening car trips, Dad would turn the dial to WLS or KOMA or WOAI - radio stations based in Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The radio’s light illuminated my parents’ 1961 Ford Galaxie and later, the 1974 Ford Gran Torino. Turn the dial, watch the red peg move across the screen, landing on 890 or 1490 or 1200 and listen to the family singalong, even though static may have served as a scratchy filter. Once home, I’d move the dial until one of the stations - usual...

If you listen carefully, you can hear the strains of that favorite carol "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree" echoing through the George W. Norris Legislative Chambers. It has been a few years, but that age-old almost end-of-session practice is back in vogue. It has been around since before most of the young senators complaining about it were born. It's a simple practice, attaching bills that have survived the committee process and been sent to the floor to bills that are further along in the...