Saturday Nov 2-Daylight Saving time ends
Tuesday Nov 4-Election Day DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!
Saturday Nov 8-Scrappers Marathon @ Elmwood-Murdock High School
Monday Nov 10-Veterans Day Program @ Elmwood-Murdock
Tuesday Nov 11-Veterans Day
Tuesday Nov 18- ECNC One Act Play @ Lofte 9:00 AM
Tuesday Nov 18- FCCLA Blood Drive @ Murdock 2:30-7:00 PM
Tuesday Nov 18-The next booster club meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Murdock site in the Long Distance Learning room.
Saturday Nov 22-One Act Public Performance @ Murdock 7:00 PM
Wednesday Nov 26-Nov 30-EARLY DISMISSAL-1:15/1:30-Thanksgiving Break
Thursday Nov 27-Thanksgiving Day
Saturday Nov 29-Holiday Extravaganza
Saturday Jan 17-Youth to Carnegie Hall Soup/Sandwich Supper and Silent Auction
Inspiration
Tyler Eggert , AJ Washington, Dillon Synovec
Press Release Regarding Tragic Accident from Elmwood-Murdock School
The thoughts and prayers of the Elmwood-Murdock School District go out to the families of Dillon Synovec, Tyler Eggert and Angelica (A.J) Washington in this time of tremendous loss. Dillon, Tyler and Angelica were caring and compassionate members of our student body. Dillon, Tyler and Angelica had many close friends and were known by all in our small rural school district. Dillon, Tyler and Angelica were valued members of our student body who will be greatly missed. Over the next several days and weeks, we will care and support each other as we grieve the loss of these members of our “school family.”
The Elmwood-Murdock School District will attempt to provide as “normal” a routine as possible for our students and staff. All activities will go forward as planned as we attempt to utilize our internal support system to assist students and staff in this time of loss. The Elmwood-Murdock School District will be providing ongoing support and guidance for our students and staff as they deal with this tragic loss. The Elmwood- Murdock School district would like to thank our surrounding school districts which have assisted in providing us trained staff members to help address the needs of our students and staff. The Elmwood-Murdock School District would also like to thank the members of our local faith community who have provided valuable support in our time of need.
Again, the thoughts and prayers of the Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools go out to the families of Dillon Synovec, Tyler Eggert and Angelica (A.J.) Washington.
As I thought about what to do this week for the newsletter, so many things went through my mind. I wanted to comfort the families of Tyler, A.J., and Dillion. I wanted to comfort the community members who are in such tremendous grief. I wanted to give an answer as to how this could have happened. I also wanted to defend God to those who are doubting His goodness. I wanted to answer the questions of “Why?” and “How could a good God have allowed this to happen?” “Hasn’t our community gone through enough?”
The problem is I can’t do any of that. I don’t know how. I don’t know the answers to the questions and I’m not able to make it better, go away, or fix it as I so badly want to. I’m telling you all this, because I think it is the feelings of the whole community and I want you to know that you’re not alone in your pain and your suffering.
I’ve heard the words, “I just don’t know what to do” and seen “idk” (I don’t know) in so many of the text messages I’ve received over the last few days. They are words I’ve spoken repeatedly myself. I was at such a loss on how to comfort my kids as they received the phone call about the death of their friends. I do know the One who knows though… and I trust Him.
I trust that, as Pastor Kuhlman’s sign says: Jesus prays for His church, that Jesus REALLY is praying for us. He knows our hearts and the pain that are in them. He stores up our many tears that have been shed. Allow Him to comfort you in the way that only He can. I do know that He knows the beginning from the end. He has the whole book when we can only see one page.
I read a book called, “The God Questions” that had a couple of quotes that made sense to me. I hope they help you: “For God to try to explain the kinds of things Job wants explained would be like Einstein explaining relativity to a Littleneck Clam.” And Philip Yancey puts it: “Maybe sometimes God keeps us in the dark about ‘why’ not so much because He wants to keep us in the dark, as because He knows we are incapable of absorbing so much light.”
It also said, “When I hurt, I don’t want logic, because I’m too numb to care that God is all-knowing and all-powerful. But I am touched by His love, a love that is so genuine it chose to suffer for me. I can respond to a God like that. The answer we need is God’s compassion. For most people who have been deeply wounded, knowing that there are intellectual answers, like the problem of free will, helps us a little. But experiencing His compassion through the love of Christ AND THE COMMUNITY of others heals us a lot.”
I put ‘AND THE COMMUNITY’ in bold letters not to minimize experiencing compassion through the love of Jesus, but because I thought it is so awesome that that is the exact thing that this community does. We pull together, set aside our differences, and help each other. Even if the only thing we have to offer is a smile, a hug, or a tear. We all do what we can and give what we have. I haven’t run across ANYONE who has an attitude that “well, this is too big for me. What can I do that’s going to make a difference?” When we all pull together and give that one smile, that one haircut, that one meal, that one visit, that one card in the mail, that one hug, that one word of encouragement, that one gift card, that one prayer; it adds up to a whole lot! I believe it could be called: The heart of the Elmwood-Murdock Community.
As we have all experienced, this has been a proven success. We know that it works. Just off the top of my head I’ve thought of the Stocks, Duane’s grandchild, Mary’s husband, Angie’s benefit, the evening of the Football Fish Fry over five years ago, farming accidents (don’t forget to pray for our farmers as they bring in the rest of the crops); I could go on and on of different surgeries and illnesses that have taken hairdressers to the hospital to fix the hair of a community member of Elmwood-Murdock. Meals that have been prepared for those in hardship.
And it’s not just in the bad times that this community pulls together. Look at the turnout of the Waffleman fundraiser. I am STILL in complete awe of the atmosphere during the State Basketball Playoffs last year. People I didn’t know came up to me to talk about their grandkids and NOT the one’s playing in the game either. It was as if everyone knew everyone. The peace and the joy and the excitement blew me away!
When I was in such confusion I called my pastor to ask him what I should do. He said, “There’s not a whole lot you can do. This is part of life.” I thought to myself, “Well that’s pretty harsh.” But after my thoughts cleared a little the next day I realized that he was right. Death is part of life even when we don’t understand and it’s unfair and it’s someone so young and someone so close to us.
He also told me, “You can pray with your kids and pray for them.” So that is what I’ve been doing. And I’ve been praying for YOU too. Each and every one of you. Some of you I don’t even know, but God knows you and even though I don’t call you by name, He knows you by name. He knows how many hairs you have on your head. He knew you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. He sees your pain. He hears your crying. He loves you. I know God hears our prayers. He has so much more compassion, love, comfort, peace, understanding, kindness, wisdom, and help than I could ever offer so I’m praying that He helps me see what I can do, gives me the strength to do it, and then I pray that He does the rest and I know that He will.
“I, even I, am he who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:12
I want to thank the Cass County workers (police, rescue, sheriff, chaplains, investigators, etc) as well as the Elmwood-Murdock staff for having a plan already in place for such a time as this. I was so relieved to have been able to take my kids to the music room Sunday night so they could all be together for support. Rumors were silenced as we heard the true facts from the authorities. Also to have a time to ask questions. This trained team of people truly showed their compassion toward our community with their instruction and wisdom. It has helped so many of us walk through this with even just a little bit more ease instead of such chaos, confusion, and fear.
God bless you all as you heal from this tragedy. May His grace and mercy that are new every morning be with you, your thoughts, and your deeds.
AJ Washington’s visitation will be at Hammons Funeral Home in Weeping Water, NE-Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Her funeral will be held October 31 at the Cass County Fair Grounds. Viewing will be at 10:00 am with the funeral following at 11:00 am. Angelica will have a private burial in Cedar Rapids, IA-Saturday, November 1.
Dillon Synovec’s visitation will be at the United Methodist Church in Murdock, NE-Friday, October 31, from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm
I couldn’t find out about Tyler Eggert’s visitation or viewing arrangements yet.
The funeral for Dillon and Tyler will be at the Elmwood-Murdock High School Saturday, November 1, at 10:00 am.
What’s Happening Around Our Community
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
Elmwood-Murdock will host the First Round Football Playoffs this Thursday at 7:00 pm GO KNIGHTS!
Pink Out for Volleyball
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
www.komen.org
www.breastcancerawareness.com
A "Pink-Out" for Breast Cancer Awareness
Pink is the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness and the awareness program is called "Warriors in Pink". To support Breast Cancer Awareness and spread the word about this disease, the Elmwood-Murdock Volleyball team sponsored a "Pink-Out" at Monday's game vs. Malcolm. As "Warriors" both on and off the court, both teams wore pink t-shirts for warm-ups and all fans were encouraged to wear pink to show support for everyone who fought or is currently fighting the battle against Breast Cancer. By being a "Warrior in Pink," you were able to show support for your team as a fan, but also their mission to spread the word about Breast Cancer.
They also raised money for Breast Cancer by auctioning off one of the t-shirts signed by both teams and a split-the-pot.
Ashley and Alli show their support
Thanks so much to Robin Kuhlman for sending in this information!
Elmwood Murdock Junior High Select Choir Travels to Palmyra for ECNC
Mrs. Colbert took 13 students to Palmyra Monday, October 27 to perform with nine other schools. Each school held auditions to try out for the choir. The top singers were chosen to participate.
Mrs. Colbert said, “This is the best group I’ve ever taken. They were so focused and they sound like a high school choir.”
The students sang: “Water Come-a-me Eye!”, “Night Noises”, “Can You Hear”, “Maybe Someday” which was a song In memory of those we have lost, and the finale “Swing Low, Sing Low” (medley) was conducted by Mrs. Colbert.
back row-Taylor Zeorian, Jennifer Hramanik, Wade Mumford, Cody Brown, Brandon Luetchens, Zoe Tuttle, Dalton Synovek, Taren Stander, Angie Houston, front row-Jessica Brockhoff, Lindsey Oehlerking, Lauren Bowman, and Anna Struble.
Daylight Savings this Sunday!
Daylight time begins in the United States on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. On the second Sunday in March, clocks are set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time. On the first Sunday in November, clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time. These dates were established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
In 2008, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9 and ends on Nov.2.
In 2009, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8 and ends on Nov.1.
Twice a year, when Daylight Savings Time begins or ends make it a habit to not only change your clocks, but do a few other semi-annual tasks that will improve safety in your home...
Do these things every 6 months when you reset your clocks:
· Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Replace any smoke alarms older than ten years. Replace any CO alarms older than five years.
· Prepare a disaster supply kit for your house (water, food, flashlights, batteries, blankets).
Once you've created your home disaster kit, use the semi-annual time change to check its contents (including testing/replacing flashlight batteries).
· A COLD winter is coming! Make a "winter car-emergency kit" now and put your vehicle! (Don't know what to include? Do an Internet search for "car emergency kit" and you'll find lots of ideas!)
It's a good idea to carry a car-emergency kit in your car year-round, but be sure to add cold-weather gear to your general car-emergency kit each fall. (Having a separate duffle/gear bag clearly marked "Cold Gear" specifically for your cold weather emergency gear makes it easy to add or take out of the car, seasonally.) Like a Boy Scout, "Be Prepared!"
In cold weather, even a very minor car problem or flat tire can be deadly serious, or at the very least, miserable to deal with, unless you're well prepared.
· Check home and outbuilding storage areas for hazardous materials. Discard (properly, please) any which are outdated, no longer used, or in poor condition. Move any which are within reach of kids or pets.
· Check and discard expired medications - those dates really DO have meaning - some very common over-the-counter medications can cause serious problems due to change through aging.
Bloom Where You're Planted Farm
will be open on Halloween day from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Come out for some last-minute fall fun & some great bargains!
***Fill a wagon with ALL THE PUMPKINS IT CAN HOLD for just $10.00!
***Buy two squash and get the third free!
***Mums are now just $7.00--plant them in your garden this fall for a great display next year!
***Find great bargains on select food items in the store, too!
Kids in costume will receive a free trick-or-treat goody bag, and we'll be serving up hot dogs and tasty pulled pork sandwiches to fuel you up for the big evening ahead. This is your last chance to visit the pumpkin patch before we close for the season, and it looks like we're in for some great weather. Hope to see you there!
FREE VETERAN'S DAY CONCERT
The Lofte Community Theatre would like to announce that it will be hosting The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band's country/rock band, "Night Wing" at its second annual Veteran's Day Concert. Night Wing will present a free concert at the Lofte at 2pm on Sunday, November 9th. Doors to the auditorium will open at 1:30pm. Playing the best of today's top 40, classic rock and country, Night Wing will have you on your feet and dancing. This event is free and open to the public.
Night Wing was deployed to support troops during Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Their most recent deployment had them log over 75 hours in the air while covering 24,000 miles. They performed 37 concerts in 15 days, including shows at construction sites, in flight lines and maintenance hangars; just about anyplace they could find. Band musicians are full-time Active Duty members of the Air Force and have gone through their Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Those who have questions in regards to this Veteran's Day event may contact the Lofte Box Office at (402)234-2553, or visit their website, www.Lofte.com.
Picturedt: "Night Wing" is currently stationed at Offutt Air Force Base and will be performing at the Lofte Theatre on November 9th.
Scrappers Marathon
Saturday November 8, 2008
9:00 AM -12:00 midnight
Elmwood-Murdock High School
Space is limited so register today!
Basic Registration $35; (includes lunch, dessert bar, & supper) Power Scrapping Class $5; Electric Outlet at table $5 (tables very limited)
Proceeds from this Scrap Crop will go to help kids from Elmwood-Murdock with extra curricular activities.
Mail to:
Scrappers Marathon
409 310th St.
Elmwood, NE 68349
For more information contact Cindy Hovorka CindyHovorka@alltel.net 402-994-5995 or Kristy Miller kkmiller12@alltel.net 402-994-2545
2008
Weekly Drawing for
52 weeks
$100.00 winner every Saturday
are now on Sale
Contact Any Elmwood Volunteer Rescue member
Ed Blunt 994-3295 Miki Bruns 994-2770 Jennifer Brettmann
Theresa Brown Mike Krass John Oehlerking Konia Jones
Ben Kastens Jordan Peterson Ken Kunz Jeff Clymer
Heath Vogt
Target's Take Charge of Education Program Attention all shoppers - please be aware of Target's, "Take Charge of Education" program. When parents, teachers, and other school supporters use their REDcards(SM)(Target(R) Visa(R)Credit Card, Target Credit Card(SM)or Target Check Card(SM), Target donates up to 1% of your purchases to their designated eligible K-12 school. It's minimal effort for your school with maximum reward. Last month we received a check for $259.47 thanks to your efforts. Take Charge of Education dollars are donated to our school twice a year. Over the past 11 years, schools have used the funds for whatever they needed whether it was books, field trips, new technology or supplies. Take Charge of Education is part of Target's broad commitment to education and is designed to enhance educational efforts for children in communities across the country. Thanks again E-M patrons/shoppers!
Recipes
CANDY
This is remarkable. If you have no particular interest, please pass it on to the bakers in your life. Just click on the name of the CANDY and bam the recipe appears!
http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0005.html
On Monday, October 27 the Elmwood-Murdock Kindergarten classes of Diane Vice and Emilie Cook visited Roger Buck's pumpkin farm. Roger took the kids on a hayrack ride over a creaky bridge where they even saw a visitor in the cornfield. The kids were able to pick out pumpkins to take home with them and then got to play pumpkin themed games. After juice and cookies provided by Roger and his wife, Diane the tired children returned to school. The children will use some of the pumpkins gathered for measuring and counting activities at school. Both classes would like to thank Roger and his family for their generosity.
Website of the Week
www.voterinformation.org
The above website is VERY helpful in finding out where candidates stand on about 20-30 issues.
From the desk of John Harrington:
ELECTIONS!!
Cass County is invited to Louisville to discuss.
Please get the word out, we have opened the Discussion Forum in Louisville (normally Louisville-ians only) to talk about Cass County election issues and beyond.
This is for Weeping Water Fluoridation, State Lotto initiatives etc - no Cass Folks will be turned away.
Louisville has done this 4, 8 years ago and during the recent recall elections.
It is the neighborly thing to do!
Get the word out - this is temporary, and postings all will be deleted on 11/5/08
So get in here and say you peace!
Click Here
http://www.louisvillenebraska.com/discus/discus.cgi
