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When did dinosaurs and aliens become Christmas decorations? I ask because I'm kind of stunned (my natural condition) at some of the strange, weird and downright odd things you see in people's yards this time of year. A lime-green Santa-saurus in our neighborhood caught my eye, and somewhere, I've seen a Santa alien wishing "humans" a Merry Christmas. Just today, I drove by a place that featured an inflatable Santa riding a motorboat in the front yard. (Maybe I missed a line in " 'Twas a Night...

Santa Claus visited two Summerland-area communities over the weekend, spending time listening to wish lists, taking Christmas card-worthy photos, and sharing the joy of the season. On Sunday, Santa stopped by the Orchard Community Center. Later that evening, he took part in the Ewing Light Parade and stopped by the Ewing United Methodist-Presbyterian Church to meet area youngsters....

Join in the holiday spirit at the annual light parade in Ewing. Ewing Young Members Club will host the event, Sunday, Dec. 14. Any type of vehicle may be entered. Line up of floats will begin at the football field at 5:30 p.m.. The parade will follow a route to the downtown area, beginning at 6. To preregister, email ewingsummerfunfest@gmail.com Following the parade, Santa will greet youngsters, listen to their wish lists, and take photos at the Ewing United Methodist Presbyterian Church....

NNTC is set to pay out capital credits to 5,228 current customers and 1,626 former customers for a total of $4,731,377.13 While it sounds too good to be true, NNTC can pay customers back because of the company's status as a cooperative. NNTC is one of seven telephone cooperatives in Nebraska. Co-ops have the ability, with board approval, to pay back earnings to customers when the company's financial situation allows. Since NNTC made a profit, that money stays in northeast Nebraska, providing an...

I like to drive, and Nebraska gives you plenty of opportunities. The state's best road trip might be up the old Oregon Trail, past Chimney Rock to Scotts Bluff. Scenic. Historic. In the fall, you can't beat wandering the hills around Indian Cave State Park. Driving along Highway 12 from Ponca to Niobrara is a close second. Colors galore. The Sand Hills are beautiful in spring, with wildflowers blooming. And you can't beat driving through the Pine Ridge after a fresh snow – as long as it's not bl...

If the third graders at Summerland Elementary planned Thanksgiving, the guest list would be anything but ordinary. From favorite celebrities to fictional heroes - and even a few surprise visitors - these imaginative diners earned an invite for reasons as sweet as pumpkin pie and as silly as a turkey doing the hokeypokey. If I could invite anyone to Thanksgiving dinner it would be Jason because he is my best friend. The reason is he helps me. He is nice to me. He also plays with me. If Jason...

What began 10 years ago as a heartfelt tribute to a twin brother in heaven and a fleeting moment of joy for a toddler granddaughter has grown into one of the Midwest's biggest and brightest holiday traditions: Christmas at Comstock. The event started modestly, with a single decorated home. But when an anonymous donor delivered nearly $3,000 worth of lights and inflatables to organizer Henry Nuxoll's doorstep over a 30-day period, the display quickly grew-transforming Comstock into a Christmas...

This December, Clearwater will step back in time to create a family-friendly holiday event. The Old-fashioned Christmas, sponsored by the Clearwater Chamber of Commercee, will be held Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Clearwater American Legion. Soups, sandwiches and desserts will be served between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Freewill donations to the Antelope County Food Pantry, or canned items, will be acceepted. Sleigh rides will be available on Main Street through the event. Santa Claus will make an appearance,...

Bring your wish list and be prepared to tell Santa if you've been naughty or nice, when he visits Orchard on Sunday, Dec. 14. The meet and greet with St. Nick will be at the Orchard Community Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Photo opportunities will be available with Santa. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served....

The Summerland Advocate-Messenger will accept letters to Santa through Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. 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 or be dropped off at the office, 522 Main Street. If the office isn't open, letters may be left in the white mailbox. Letters will run in the Dec. 17 edition of SAM....
Clearwater Public Library will host its annual Secret Kids’ Shopping Corner during the Old-Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 7 at the American Legion. “This special shop will be available for children to buy gifts for their loved ones,” said library director, Chelsea Silbernagel. Price of items will range between $1 and $5. Library personnel will assist children shop and wrap gifts so they remain a secret. The library is accepting donations of new or like-new items to use in the shop. Items may be dropped off during library hours, 1 to 5 p.m. on Tu...

Robert Terrance Walnofer, 74, entered his eternal rest on Sept. 4, 2025 in Springdale, Arkansas, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Born on June 28, 1951, in Norfolk, to Bob and Bernadine (Thramer) Walnofer, Terry was the eldest of eleven children. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 20, 2025 at the Full Gospel Church in Ewing. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, of Tontitown, Arkansas; children, Nate (Mel) Easterling of Santa Monica, California, Lisa (Kenny) Jones...

Bayker Blankenship is hitting new highs and signing record deals, all while still being a young adult. At 20 years old, Livingston, Tennessee, native Blankenship went viral on social media with his song "Maxed Out." Blankenship will perform Saturday, June 28, at 8:45 p.m., on Clearwater's Main Street. In a short period, his viral tune was all over the music world and had more than 100 stitches on TikTok. This success led the artist to sign with Santa Anna Label Group, an accomplishment for such...

A quick trip to Comstock on Saturday reinforced why I love Nebraska. The village, nestled against the Middle Loup River and situated on the Custer and Valley county line, boasts a population of 97 souls. I’m guessing on Saturday, the population may have doubled, as out-of-town visitors strolled or drove by the massive Christmas light displays stretching from one “Welcome to Comstock” sign to the other. Organizers boast the display contains more than a mile of lights, a dozen themed build...

As Christmas draws near and holiday cheer fills the air, one figure looms large in the imaginations of children and adults alike: Santa Claus. With his twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks and hearty "Ho, ho, ho!" Santa is now synonymous with the spirit of giving, but few are aware that his origins stretch back centuries, through a rich history of generosity, religious devotion, and evolving cultural traditions. The Saint Behind the Legend The story of Santa Claus can be traced all the way back to the...

While I am not a big fan of Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol,” I feel the ghost of Christmas past likes to visit every night in December. Some memories make me laugh, others are best buried under a blanket of fluffy snow. As I contemplated which gifts to purchase for the grandkids, my mind wandered to our Wausa grandparents. First, Grandma required we make a wish list of five items. In pure Grandma fashion, we would usually get most of them. Spoiled, I know. Then, I didn’t realize...

Summerland PK to third-grade students share letters to Santa with SAM. Letters appear as written. Dear Santa, My name is Ansley Tomjack. I am 7 years old! How is the North Pole? How is the reindeer? I am glad Max came back to my house. For Christmas I would like a camra, games, things for playing in the snow and my own fone. I'll be sure to leave cookies and milk and treats for the deer! Love, Ansley Tomjack Dear Santa, My name is Olivia Woslager, but people call me Rosie. I am 2.5 years old....

Holidays are about traditions. Summerland third-grade students share their favorite Christmas memories. My tradition is Santaland. My whole family goes to Creighton. We tell Santa what we want. I want a teddy bear this year. I like listening to the radio music as we drive around. I like the blue lights the best. It's the best tradition in the whole universe. Levi Tagel Going to my uncle's to remember him is my favorite Christmas tradition. First, we go to my other uncle's house and play at...

The Summerland Advocate-Messenger will accept letters to Santa through Sunday, 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 or be dropped off at the office, 522 Main Street. If the office isn't open, letters may be left in the white mailbox. Letters will run in the Dec. 18 edition of SAM....

I would have Thanksgiving dinner with Santa Clause. We would talk about the North Pole. We would talk about the elves. I picked him because I like him. He is kind and gives me presents. Santa Clause is the best! Claire Snodgrass I would like to have Thanksgiving dinner with my dad's grandpa Elmer because I want to meet my elders. I would ask him if he likes Jack's mullet. I do not like it. It is ugly! We would talk about whatever I feel like talking about. In conclusion, I want to meet dad's...

Take a trip back in time to Christmas's past as the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual old-fashioned Christmas. Start the afternoon with shopping experiences at two local businesses. The Sidebar, 522 Main, will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., with holiday shopping for gifts and stocking stuffers. Roots by Jaci, Farmhouse 43 and Cut Across Creations will host a holiday open house at 312 Nebraska Street, from 3 to 7 p.m. Shopping, snacks and drinks will be available. Soups,...

Get into the holiday spirit at the annual light parade in Ewing. The young members club will host the annual event, Friday, Dec. 6. Any type of vehicle may be entered. Line up of floats will begin at the football field at 6:30 p.m. The parade will follow a route to the downtown area, beginning at 7. To preregister, email ewingsummerfunfest@gmail.com. Following the parade, Santa will greet children at the Methodist-Presbyterian Church. Cookies and drinks will be served....
Summerland Advocate-Messenger personnel brought home 23 awards from the 2023 Better Newspaper Contest for the Nebraska Press Association. Awards were presented Saturday evening, at the awards banquet held at the Cornhusker Marriot Hotel in Lincoln. SAM finished second in Class A, which includes weekly newspapers with a circulation up to 699 subscriptions. The Stanton Register won the division. In advertising categories, publisher LuAnn Schindler won seven awards. An ad featuring financial services at Brunswick State Bank, promoting FFA Week,...

Mary Reyes, of Page, was simply looking for something extra to occupy her time, when a conversation with her sister and brother-in-law led to a fresh idea. For nearly a year, Reyes has been creating scented bead car fresheners and selling them under the Godly Irresistible Freshies label. She said the process is painless. First, she mixes aroma beads with various fragrance oils, which cure for two weeks. During that time period, Reyes shakes the bottles four to five times a day. "I walk by and...
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....