What's New?
Murdock Newsletter
April 9, 2008
Calendar
Wed. Apr. 9-School Board Meeting @ Murdock 7:00 p.m.
Thur. Apr. 10 – Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Apr. 12-Prom at Crooked Creek 6:30-11:30 p.m.
Tues. Apr. 15-IRS TAX DEADLINE
Wed. Apr. 16-Early Dismissal 1:15/1:30
April 18-19-District Music Contest
Fri. Apr. 18-Elementary School Carnival 5:30-8:00 pm
Wed. Apr. 23-Cheerleading tryouts 4:00 p.m.
Fri. Apr. 25-Athletic Banquet @ Murdock 6:30 p.m.
Inspiration
Shoes in church
I showered and shaved... I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat... In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own.. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: "Our Father"... I thought, "This man with the shoes… has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said... a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best… When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended... And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud... Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters... His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear... The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering... And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached... Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out... What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink." as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me... To tears, and that's no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service... As is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors… And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow... And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer ... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark... And his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming... For being our guest.
He said, "My names' Charlie... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes... But he had a large, wide grin.
"Let me explain," he said... Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance… "Is not like all the rest.
"But I really do try... "To always look my best."
"I always clean and polish my shoes... "Before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here... "They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain... and I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize... For daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here… "I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you... "Then maybe our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment... Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my heart, not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said… "And taught me, in part;
"That the best of any man... "Is what is found in his heart."
The rest, I thought... This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul
April showers bring May flowers! 
What’s Happening Around Our Community
Elmwood-Murdock 
Goes to State!
Elmwood-Murdock Future Business Leaders of America took the state’s Leadership in Action! theme to heart by taking full advantage of the opportunities provided at the Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America Conference which was held in Omaha from April 3-5. Members listened to workshop presenters, took part in officer elections, and participated in competitive events. The members’ diligence paid off as the chapter qualified 18 students in 11 events for the National Leadership Conference that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, this summer. The results were as follows: (National Qualifiers Designated with *; HM, Honorable Mention (top 5 percent)
Chapter Recognition
American Enterprise Project, 3rd
Community Service Project*, 1st
Partnership with Business*, 1st
Local Chapter Annual Report*, 2nd
Gold Seal of Merit Chapter
Sweepstakes Award
Competency Scholarship Fund Contribution
Scrapbook Recognition
Individual and Team Recognition
Trent Shrader*-Future Business Leader*, 1st; Partnership with Business*, 1st ; Who’s Who in Nebraska FBLA*, 1st; Entrepreneurship Team*, 2nd ; Emerging Business Issues*, 2nd ; Marketing, 4th; Business Procedures, HM; National Business Achievement Award, L Level; Delta Pi Epsilon, Outstanding Senior
Marcus Winter*-State FBLA Presidential Candidate; Partnership with Business*, 1st ; Technology Concepts, 5th; Delta Pi Epsilon, Outstanding Junior; Business Procedures, 7th; Personal Finance*, 6th; Cyber Security, 7th; Business Calculations, HM; All-State Quality Member
Sierra Ronhovde*-Community Service Project*, 1st ; Business Ethics*, 1st ; Global Business, 3rd; Personal Finance, HM; Future Business Leader, HM; All-State Quality Member
Jon Luetchens*-Partnership with Business*, 1st ; Public Speaking II*, 5th; Business Procedures, HM; All-State Quality Member
Hannah Fischer*-Local Annual Business Report*, 2nd; Business Presentation, 3rd ; Computer Applications, 7th; Job Interview, Honorable Mention; All-State Quality Member
Megan Bober*-Emerging Business Issues, 2nd; American Enterprise Project, 3rd; Job Interview, 7th; All-State Quality Member
Clay Carlton*- Electronic Career Portfolio*, 1st
Kevin Zoz*-Community Service Project*, 1st ; Accounting I, HM; Business Law, HM; Business Communications, HM; All-State Quality Member
Mallory Buck*-Community Service Project*, 1st ; Business Presentation, 3rd; All-State Quality Member
Alex Ulmer*-Business Ethics*, 1st ; Global Business, 6th;Personal Finance, HM
Beth Washington*-Entrepreneurship Team*, 2nd; American Enterprise Project, 3rd; Marketing, 5th; Business Communications, HM; Business Law, HM; Personal Finance, HM; Job Interview, HM; All-State Quality Member
Lyndsey Hrabik*-Emerging Business Issues*, 2nd; Local Annual Business Report*, 2nd; Global Business, 3rd; All-State Quality Member
David Hovorka*-Entrepreneurship*, 2nd; Global Business, 3rd; Business Presentation, 3rd; Business Procedures, HM
Erin Andersen*-Business Ethics*, 1st; American Enterprise Project, 3rd; Word Processing II, 6th Place; Business Communications, HM; All-State Quality Member
Staci Ronhovde*-Local Annual Business Report*, 2nd; Public Speaking I, 3rd; Keyboard Knowledge, 4th; Entrepreneurship Team, 5th; Word Processing I, HM; Keyboarding Knowledge, HM
Alli Kuhlman*-E-Business*, 1st
Shayna Dwyer*-E-Business*, 1st
Mollie Zimmerman*-E-Business, 1st
Griffin Hovorka-Introduction to Business, 4th; Entrepreneurship Team, 5th; Business Math, HM; Intro. to Business Communications, HM; Delta Pi Epsilon, Outstanding Sophomore
Sam Stephen-Web Site Development, 4th
Jacob Blunt-Web Site Development, 4th
Art Burtch-Entrepreneurship Team, 5th
Cari Laughlin-Global Business, 6th
Piper Jungren-Global Business, 6th
Amanda Brewer-Introduction to Technology Concepts, HM; Spelling, HM
Christy Laughlin-Delta Pi Epsilon, Outstanding Freshman Member
Lisa Wilson and Kurk Shrader serve as chapter advisers. Mr. Shrader was honored for serving as an adviser for 25 years. Other students who represented the chapter at the conference included: Lachelle Stille, Natalie Stander, Quentin Drake, David Todd, Adam Zobel, Travis Brewer, Taylor Moreau, Becca Fortney, Nikki Novak, A. J. Ita, David Todd, Jordan Vogt, and Dillion Synovec.
Trent Shrader
Marcus Winter
Lyndsey Hrabik, Megan Bober & Trent Shrader
Lyndsey Hrabik, Hannah Fischer, Staci Ronhovde
Marcus Winter, Jon Leutchens & Trent Shrader
Whole group attending
-
the group of 18 going to Nationals in Atlanta, GA this summer
Sierra Ronhovde, Lyndsey Hrabik, Hannah Fischer, Megan Bober, Mallory Buck
Jon Luetchens
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation’s Annual Spring Banquet
Sat. Apr. 12th, 6:00 p.m. at Elmwood Elementary School (400 West F St.)
Enjoy a catered meal followed by a great program. This year’s theme is "Windmills Across Nebraska". Speakers will be windmill expert Loren Lockman, who will talk about the history and importance of windmills to Midwest farming history, and Barbara Chamness from the Center for Rural Affairs, who will speak about the Center’s recent “Windmills Across Nebraska” project.
Admission is $8.00. Call 994-3855 or email tlorensen@alltel.net This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it prior to Apr. 8 to reserve your spot. All are welcome!!!
Prairie Rim Plants
Seed Potatoes - 69¢ per pound 50# bag - $32
Onion Sets and Plants next week!!
Plant House will open about the 19th of April.
Prices will be as close to last years as possible.
Sharon Kunz and her helpers have been operating the Prairie Rim Plants since 1982. She started with plants and flowers and in the last 10 years she has operated on a larger scale. You can find almost every plant you want for your yard and garden. Sharon buys her flowers from various nurseries around Nebraska and Missouri. If you can’t find what you want she can probably order it for you! Just ask her! For more information call Sharon at 402-994-4895.
Elmwood/Murdock Baseball/Softball Program is having an all you can eat pancake dinner April 20th from 10:00-1:30.
Free will donation. It will be in the old gym at the high school in Murdock. Proceeds benefit the Elmwood-Murdock Baseball/Softball Program. Please encourage everyone to come and support the ball program. Menu: Pancakes, Sausage, Eggs, Coffee, OJ, and Milk
BASEBALL NEWS-Baseball Field Clean Up
Saturday, 4/12-9:00 till complete in Elmwood & Murdock (depending on where you play)
Sunday, 4/13-1:00 till completion (Heavy field work, need strong arms)
Contact your coach for details
School Carnival on April 18th from 5:30pm-8pm. Advance tickets can be purchased through Miki and raffle tickets too.
Thanks - Miki Bruns
Helpful Hint
If You Have a Car Alarm
Maybe you've already thought of this, maybe not.
PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT
Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, and/or other people you know.
Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.
It works if you park in your driveway or garage if your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there... This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime or robbery or worse.
Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone.
Website of the Week
www.nebraskafbla.org
News to the Editor
- Please send all your Murdock area news to me. Birthdays, anniversaries, announcements, events or news are welcome and will be added to the upcoming newsletter. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
