We’re excited about the Weeping Water Community Vacation Bible School to be held July 27-31.  This year’s program is Kingdom of the Son, a week of safari adventure!
    Children will embark on a prayer safari into the Kingdom of the Son.  Through their adventures, children will discover that “God Listens,” “God Provides,” “God Forgives,” “God Protects” and “God Rules!”  We will have a great time with lively songs, hilarious skits, creative crafts, exciting games, Bible stories and tasty snacks—all of the things that make Vacation Bible School so much fun for children.  On top of that, we will be helping children learn to know God through prayers.
    Kingdom of the Son can be an inspirational and educational expedition for your entire family.  Classes for children begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 12:00.  The opening, closing, and all classes will be held at the Faith Missionary Church in Weeping Water.  Parents and other family members are invited to attend the end of the week lunch with their children.  This lunch will also be held at the church and is free to everyone. 
    For more information, please call Dawn or Pastor Sandy at 267-4865 or you can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
    Registration forms will be available soon!  Please join us for an exciting week of learning about God and making wonderful memories.

 

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**Hours for Limestone Day (June 27), July 4, and Saturday night of the fair will be 1:00-4:00 p.m.  All other days and nights of the fair will be normal hours.

**Family pass is only for family members under 18 years of age living at home.  This does not include child-care providers or grandparents.

**Children under the age of 6 MUST be accompanied by someone 13 years of age or older to enter the pool.  No exceptions!!

**NO FOOD OR DRINKS ON DECK EXCEPT WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES.

**No smoking in pool or in surrounding areas (deck)

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May 29, 2009, Lincoln – As I reported earlier this year, LB 134 was my priority bill for the 2009 session. The bill was prompted by a local issue, but it quickly became clear that it had statewide implications. This week, after months of strategic planning, collaborative work and careful negotiations, I asked the Legislature not to pass LB 134 but to “kill”it instead. This move might seem like an unorthodox way to handle a priority bill, but it actually represents a significant victory in what may become a three-step process to resolve a statewide policy matter.

Four key points led to the introduction of LB 134 and are still relevant today.
Point 1 – There will be trail development in the future. In the past recreational trails were constructed almost entirely within city limits, as a part of natural resource districts’ flood control projects, as popular features in city or state parks, or on abandoned railroad lines.
Point 2 – There is general consensus that unrestrained use of eminent domain to take private property for trail development is not good public policy. The MoPac Trail extension project in Cass County did not fit the previously-used models. So, the answer to the question about how the 10 mile trail project would be completed was, “The Lower Platte South NRD could use eminent domain to take the needed land from more than 20 private owners.” This decision was made after a citizen advisory group, formed by the NRD, recommended against using private land for the trail project. The affected landowners in Cass County were united in their opposition to the taking of land on which they live and, in many cases, from prime farmland, with which they earn their living. It quickly became clear that the landowners had no way to influence the NRD’s decision.
Point 3 – Affected local governing bodies should have a defined role to play, if eminent domain is to be used to take private property for trail development. Early this year the Cass County Board of Commissioners twice voted unanimously against the Lower Platte South NRD’s proposed trail route. In addition to concerns about the use of eminent domain for the taking of private property, the Board had equal concerns about county road safety issues that would be created by the proposed route. There was no policy in place to reconcile the differences between the two political entities.
Point 4 – A process is needed to ensure that a fair and even playing field exists, if eminent domain is to be used to take private property for trail development. Nebraska does have a state trails plan. The Game and Parks Commission oversees it. However, unlike the plans in many other states, the Nebraska plan is silent on the use of eminent domain for recreational projects.

Efforts by affected landowners, the Cass County Board and the Legislature sparked changes in the original trail plan. The Lower Platte South NRD and the Cass County Board renewed discussions about the trail project. Although LB 134 had the support of a number of state senators, it would have had significant opposition from within the Legislature and from several groups that advocate for expanded trail development. I made the decision that I could not risk sacrificing the landowners and Cass County with an uncertain floor fight. Instead the status of LB 134 became a bargaining tool in an effort to convince the NRD Board to approve a moratorium on the proposed trail route through the 2010 legislative session. The moratorium was approved with the understanding that I would “kill” LB 134, and the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee would study the use of eminent domain for recreational projects between legislative sessions.

Nebraska needs a statewide policy on trail development. If such a policy is put in place, I think most trail projects can be worked out at the local level. In light of what happened in Cass County, as well as similar events that could occur in other parts of the state, the policy needs to eliminate the use of eminent domain for recreational projects, or to include a process for resolving conflicts that is fair to all parties.

I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent District 2 in the Nebraska Legislature.

We welcome your contacts by mail, phone or email.
Senator Dave Pankonin
    State Capitol
    PO Box 94604
    Lincoln, NE 68509
    (402) 471-2613
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Lofte Community Theatre near Manley opens its 33rd season with Tom Dudzik’s family drama, “Over the Tavern.” The story is set in the Eisenhower years of 1950s America. However, life is far from idyllic for the Pazinski family of Buffalo, New York. They live in a cramped apartment above the tavern owned and ran by the head of the family, Chet Pazinski. The youngest of the family, 12 year-old Rudy, decides that he’s had it with traditional family values and those of the Roman Catholic church. When he announces to his already stressed family and the ruler-wielding nun, Sister Clarissa, that he wants to look around for a more “fun” religion, all hell breaks loose.
While “Over the Tavern” does have some hilariously funny moments, it is truly a sentimental look at families, growing up and God. It’s a great script that is sure to both entertain and cause audience members to reflect on their own adolescent experiences.

Starring in his first leading role at the Lofte is twelve year-old Tucker Flodman of Eagle. Also in the cast are Cheryl Grimshaw of Plattsmouth, Kevin Holdorf of Manley, Evan Wooten of Waverly, Bill Hayes of Nebraska City, Lizzy Pegler of Elmwood and Virginia Howe Kincaid of Elkhorn.
Performance Dates are May 29-31, June 5-7 and 11-14. Showtimes are 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday and 2:00pm on Sundays. General admission tickets can be purchased either on-line or by contacting the box office at (402) 234-2553. However, if you’re still thinking about purchasing season tickets, now is the time. Season passes (for the 5 regular season shows) may be purchased for $60 which equals $12 per show. This is an overall savings of $20 for the entire season. The season package pricing is only available through June 14th.

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