Mr. Dan Barton is Humphrey Public’s new high school strength and conditioning coach. Mr. Barton is originally from Omaha, and in the fifth grade, his family moved to Auburn. Then, ten years later, he moved back to Omaha. He is married to Joy, and together they have five children: Emalee Moore (Logan, son-in-law), Ashlee, Gus, Mila, and Preston. His grandkids…. or grandpuppies… are Ozzy and Izzy.

Mr. Barton is starting his twenty-fifth year of education here as a Bulldog.

Previously, he has taught at Omaha Creighton Prep and in the OPS system. When asked what made him want to become a teacher, he wrote, “I love Strength and Conditioning and sharing my passion with young people.”

Mr. Barton said his favorite teacher growing up was his guidance counselor because they would also talk about lifting and workouts which got his passion started.

A goal that Mr. Barton has for this school year is to learn each student’s name.

Unlike many of his students, Mr. Barton’s favorite part of the school day is his first class. He says that gets his day started off right. Along with teaching strength and conditioning, Mr. Barton has joined the coaching staff for Humphrey Lindsay. He is an assistant football coach and will be helping with powerlifting and golf.

Mr. Barton favorites drink is water, his favorite candy is Reese’s peanut butter cups, and his favorite food is Mexican food. Other favorites include the book “I am Third,” the movie Forrest Gump, and the restaurant is Ebees. His favorite place to be is at home with his family, his favorite music artist is AC/DC, his sports team is the Huskers, and his song is “Thunderstruck.”

If you don’t catch Mr.

Barton in his classroom, you may catch him on the golf course. When asked if he could teach anywhere in the world, Mr. Barton said he would teach, “Here at Humphrey.”

As a closing note, Mr.

Barton shared that, above everything else, he wants all the students, staff, and parents here at Humphrey to know, “I care.” Welcome, Mr. Barton, to our Bulldog Family!

Mrs. McKenna Bender is Humphrey Public’s new third grade teacher. Mrs. Bender is originally from Wayne and graduated from Wayne High School. She is married to Dillon Bender, and together they have 2 children: Ellie, who is a 4 year old in preschool, and Haley, who is one.

Mrs. Bender is starting her 10th year of education here as a Bulldog. Previously, she taught at Omaha for one year, Norfolk for four, and Lakeview for four. When asked what made her want to become a teacher, she wrote, “I’ve always loved working with children and love watching them grow and learn. I love working with upper elementary students because of their independence and higher-order thinking skills.” Mrs. Bender said her favorite teacher growing up was Mr. Speiker, who was an English teacher. Mr.

Speiker was her favorite because he made learning so fun and created a relationship with all his students.

A goal that Mrs. Bender has for this school year is to give it her all for herself and the students since it’s her first year at Humphrey. The advice she gives to her students is as follows: “Just be yourself.” Mrs. Bender’s favorite part of the school day is when she teaches math. She says she loves watching her students solve problems and seeing them learn.

Mrs. Bender’s favorites include the following, in no particular order: Iced coffee from 7 Brew, hot tamales, hibachi, mystery/thriller books with lots of twists and turns, the movie Sweet Home Alabama, the restaurant Hu Hot, the beach, country music, golf, and Nebraska volleyball.

If you don’t catch Mrs.

Bender in her classroom, you may catch her shopping at Target! When asked if she could teach anywhere in the world, Mrs. Bender said she would go, “ Somewhere close to an ocean where it’s warm all year round.”

As a closing note, Mrs.

Bender shared that her favorite thing is, “making new memories/traditions with my daughters.” Welcome, Mrs. Bender, to our Bulldog Family!

Mr. Adam Wright is Humphrey Public’s new high school math teacher.

Mr. Wright is originally from Trenton, Nebraska and graduated from Hitchcock County High School in 2007. He is married to Danielle, and together they have three boys who attend school in Humphrey. Landon is a 7th grader, Creighton is in 3rd grade, and Preston is a Kindergartener.

Mr. Wright is starting his 15th year of education here as a Bulldog. Previously, he has taught at Logan View, Hitchcock County, Cambridge, and Wallace.

When asked what made him want to become a teacher, he wrote, “I have always wanted to be a teacher. I had great teaching role models in school who influenced me to choose the career. I originally taught special education and decided that I wanted to do something different. I had always enjoyed math, so I tried it and loved it.” Mr.

Wright said his favorite teacher growing up was Mrs.

Zahl, who was a social studies teacher. She was his favorite because she taught in a way that every student could relate and understand.

Further, she modeled what a great teacher looked like. He wrote that she, “built positive relationships with her students. She cared a lot about all of the kids she taught.”

A goal that Mr. Wright has for this school year is to learn about all of his students. He wants to make solid connections and build confidence for them in math. The advice he gives to his students is as follows: “STUDY the material. Do the work when it’s assigned. (It’s) easier to stay on pace than it is to play catch up.” Like many of his students, Mr. Wright’s favorite part of the school day is the end. He says the end of the school day means, “We got our work accomplished, and it’s time to head to sports practices.” Along with teaching math, Mr. Wright has joined the coaching staff for Humphrey Lindsay. He is an assistant volleyball coach and will be the head girls’ basketball coach in the winter.

Mr. Wright’s favorites include the following, in no particular order: The Ken Burns Civil War Documentary; Cotton Candy Alani; Boca Raton, Florida; Sour Skittles; Sushi; The Energy Bus; Luke Combs; the Huskers; “Little Country” by Luke Combs; KC Chiefs, Chicago Cubs, and Blue Sushi.

If you don’t catch Mr.

Wright in his classroom, you may catch him camping, coaching, watching his boys in their activities, or golfing. (The word around the water cooler is that he is a scratch golfer!) When asked if he could teach anywhere in the world, Mr. Wright said he would, “keep teaching right here where I am now,” because he has always loved Nebraska.

As a closing note, Mr.

Wright shared, “Our family feels truly blessed to have the opportunity to join this great school system and community and are excited to see what the future holds for us here!”

Welcome, Mr. Wright, to our Bulldog Family!

From Zimbabwe to the pulpit in Northeast Nebraska.

Rev. Juliet Chirowa is serving Trinity Methodist Church in Madison, where she has Humphrey area parishioners, and Westridge United Methodist Church in Norfolk.

It is her life in Zimbabwe that shaped who she is.

“I am originally from Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. I grew up in Zimbabwe in a family and community where faith, family relationships, respect for others, and helping one another were very important values. My upbringing played a significant role in shaping the person and pastor I am today. I’m born in a family of 10 siblings and I am the fifth in my family. My father (passed away) and my mother is in Zimbabwe,” she said.

“My parents worked hard to provide for the family, and from them I learned the importance of perseverance, responsibility, humility, and caring for other people. Growing up in Zimbabwe also taught me the importance of community. In our culture, we often understand life as something we live together rather than something we live only for ourselves. That understanding of community has continued to influence my ministry.”

Chirowa said she felt God calling her to the ministry at and early age.

“My journey into ministry began when I was still young,” she said. “I sensed that God was calling me to serve people through the church. I took care of my aging grandmother from my mother’s side, who was also suffering from asthma, high blood pressure and (she was) diabetic. As I was taking care of her, she lived with three grandchildren from her son who were younger than me whom l had to take care of. I was responsible for teaching them the bible and prayer before we slept every day. This taught me to trust and depend on God. Over time, that calling became clearer, and I eventually entered pastoral ministry.

“I have now been in ministry for approximately 30 years. I was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe in 2004. Over the years, I have served churches in both rural and urban communities. Those experiences have taught me that although communities may be different, people everywhere

• See CHIROWA, Page 2 need hope, compassion, belonging, and the assurance that God is present with them.

“Ministry is important to me because I believe it is about walking with people through all seasons of life. A pastor is there in moments of celebration, but also in times of grief, uncertainty, illness, transition, and struggle. I consider it a privilege when people allow me to walk alongside them during those important moments,” she said.

Chirowa received her theological education in Zimbabwe and continued her education throughout her ministry.

“Most recently, I studied at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., where I completed a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling with a focus on chaplaincy.

“As part of my preparation, I also completed Clinical Pastoral Education, which gave me the opportunity to provide spiritual and emotional care to people in hospitals and other care settings. That experience strengthened my understanding that ministry involves listening carefully to people’s stories and being present with them.

“After completing my studies, the opportunity came for me to serve in Nebraska through the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church. I was appointed to serve Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison and Westridge United Methodist Church in Norfolk.

“That is what brought me to Madison. It is a new chapter in a ministry journey that began many years ago and many miles away in Zimbabwe,” she said.

She and her husband, Sidwell, have three daughters: Ropafadzo Sharon, Rutendo Shalom, and Ruvimbo Shantel.

“My family is very important to me, and they have supported my ministry and educational journey in many ways,” she said. “One of the realities of following a calling across countries is that there are sacrifices involved, including periods of separation from family. I am very grateful for their love, encouragement, patience, and support.”

It has been a bit of a cultural shock coming to the United States, but there are similarities.

“Coming from Zimbabwe to the United States has certainly involved cultural adjustment. There are differences in language expressions, food, weather, transportation, church life, and many everyday things that people who have lived here for a long time may take for granted. At the same time, I have discovered that human beings have much more in common than we sometimes realize. People want to be welcomed. They want their stories to be heard. They care about their families and communities. They experience joy, grief, fear, hope, and uncertainty regardless of where they were born.

“I have also learned to appreciate the diversity of the United States. My time here has given me opportunities to meet people from many cultures and backgrounds, and that has enriched both my life and my ministry.

“I am still new to Madison, so I am continuing to learn about the town and its people. What has touched me most so far is the welcome I have received. Church members have helped me settle into the parsonage and have assisted me with many practical things as I adjust to a new community.

“Coming into a new pastoral appointment means I have a great deal to learn. I want to listen before assuming that I know what the community needs. I want to hear people’s stories, learn the history of the church and community, and discover together where God may be leading us. I hope people in Madison will not only see me as the new pastor but also as a neighbor and someone who wants to become part of the community.”

Chirowa had to deal with some immigration issues to come to the United States, but she has handled them with patience and understanding.

“Coming to the United States as an international student and then transitioning into ministry here has required patience. Immigration involves documentation, applications, deadlines, authorization and sometimes periods of waiting when the outcome is outside your control.

“I originally came to the United States for theological education, and after completing my studies, I received authorization that allows me to continue my vocational journey here. The process has taught me patience and has deepened my appreciation for what immigrants experience when they move from one country to another.

“Behind the documents and immigration processes are real people and families. People are often trying to study, work, serve, support their families, and build a life while also following the laws and requirements of the country. Experiencing some of that personally has given me another perspective that I believe will also make me a more compassionate pastor.”

Chirowa said she is here to serve and looks forward to learning and helping others.

“One thing I would like the people of Madison and Norfolk to know is that I did not come believing that I have all the answers. I came ready to listen, learn, serve, and walk together with the people God has entrusted to my pastoral care.

“I bring with me my Zimbabwean heritage, many years of pastoral ministry, my theological education, and my experience in pastoral care and chaplaincy. At the same time, the people here bring their own history, wisdom, gifts, traditions, and experiences. I believe ministry is strongest when we bring those gifts together.

“My hope is that the churches I serve will continue to be places where people know they are welcome, where children and young people can grow in faith, where older adults know they are valued, where those who are hurting can find care, and where everyone can discover ways to use their gifts in service to God and the community.

“This is a season of many new things for me — a new community, a new appointment, new relationships, and a different culture — but my faith remains the foundation beneath all those changes. I am grateful for the welcome I have already received, and I look forward to getting to know the people of Madison and Norfolk much better,” she said.

A turn of the shovels pointed to the future at Humphrey Public School.

On Friday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the future site of the new 7-12 school building.

School officials, representatives from the city, students and the engineering firm and construction company were on hand.

Superintendent Brice King told the crowd, “Today is an exciting day for our district as we officially break ground on a project that will have a lasting impact on our students, staff, families, and community.

“First, I want to sincerely thank our district patrons for supporting this project and investing in the future of our schools. This project is about much more than a building — it is about creating opportunities and providing the spaces our current and future students need to learn, grow, and succeed.”

King said the new school building will enhance educational opportunities for students.

“This new facility will enhance our Career & Technical Education programs, provide much-needed space for special education programming, expand our early childhood programming, and give us room to accommodate future growth across the district.”

He thanked the companies that worked hand-in-hand with him and school board to make the project a reality.

“I also want to thank our partners who have helped bring this vision to life. Wilkins ADP, Hausmann Construction and Northland Securities. Your expertise and partnership have been invaluable throughout this process.”

King concluded by thanking his board, school staff, bond committee and community, “For your leadership and commitment to our students and district. To our staff, thank you for your hard work, input, and flexibility throughout this entire process. Your ideas and willingness to work through the details helped shape an outstanding plan for our students. To our parents and community members, thank you for your trust and continued support. Your investment in our schools is an investment in the future of our district communities.

“And a special thank you to those individuals who served on the bond committee. You gave your time to brainstorm ideas, visit with patrons, answer questions, and even put up signs to help build support and awareness for this project. Your dedication and commitment to this project did not go unnoticed.

“Today, we are not simply turning dirt. We are turning the page to a new chapter for our school district. We are building spaces that will serve students today and generations of students yet to come.”

Patrons approved the $15.9 million bond issue for the 7-12 facility, which will open more space for students and staff.

Robyn Graham, who has more than 100 students in her vo ag program, said the new school will allow students to have greater learning opportunities.

“The new facilities will significantly impact the Agriculture Education Program. They will allow more Ag classes to be offered for students, in more specific areas like Horticulture and Agronomy, as well as more sections for in demand classes like welding. Students will have a great deal of more opportunities for hands-on activities and instruction,” she said.

Kim Bender, library and English teacher, said the new school means so much to students and staff of the district.

“I got a little lump in my throat during the dedication ceremony. To know that there will be room to serve the diverse needs of all our students is something to celebrate. We know that not all students learn the same way and this building will help make it easier to provide a truly inclusive education,” she said.

Students, Natalie Stock, Class of 2028, and Joel Brandl, Class of 2029, were two of the students on hand for the grandbreaking and are looking forward to the new school.

“I’m really excited and grateful that I’ll get to finish my high school career in a new school. It’s definitely going to be a change, especially because I’ve spent so many years in our current building. I think it will be exciting to make new memories with my classmates in a new place and get to experience everything the new school has to offer. It also feels special knowing that my class will be the first seniors in the new building.

I’m eager to see how it changes our school and brings everyone together.

“After seeing what the new school will look like, I’m excited to watch everything come together. I think having a new, updated building will be a great change for our school.

I’m especially excited about having more space for our elective classes like Ag, FCS and shop. I’m also looking forward to having updated classrooms and getting to experience all of the new spaces throughout the building. I think the new school will give students more opportunities in the classroom and allow us to make the most of the different programs our school has to offer.”

Brandl said, “It will be exciting to be in a new building for my last year of high school. The new building will bring more opportunities for new learning experiences and much needed room for all students and staff.

“It will be great to have a commons area that is big enough for students to gather in before school and during lunch.

Ag and shop hands-on learning will be greatly improved with more space. We’ll be able to do more projects. In science classes we’ll be able to do labs without worrying about bumping into someone. It will be nice to have improved acoustics for band rehearsals. We won’t be so squished together and have to step over instruments. The larger parking lot will be another plus.

Overall, the bigger classroom space will benefit all students and staff,” he said.

There’s a lot to be proud of in Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen spoke to a crowd Friday evening at part of the Customer Appreciation event hosted by Dean and Ryan Preister and Kale and Riley Huettner at the Humphrey Community Center.

The governor spoke about his four-day trade mission to Osaka, Japan, and to Manila, Philippines, to sell Nebraska beef, pork and wheat, to talk expanding markets for Nebraska ethanol; and to identify opportunities for Nebraska to produce energy for Asian customers.

He also spoke about a cemetery in Manila that is a replica of visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., where Platte County soldiers are laid to rest.

“There were 17,000 young men who were killed in the Pacific Conflict, and a lot in the Philippines because the Japanese were really burrowed in, and Americans were coming in to save the Philippines.

“We were there about two hours, and here’s what happened to me. The curators of the cemetery ... being the governor of Nebraska, they knew exactly where I grew up, they took me to find the graves of World War II veterans — one from Columbus, one from Platte Center, one from Cornlea, one from Lindsay and one from Madison.”

Pillen said because he grew up in Platte Center, he had heard the stories of these soldiers who were buried 80 years ago in this cemetery.

“It’s overwhelming to me because we had people who lived 2 and 5 miles away from us. I think that one thing that’s important on our 250th anniversary ... to appreciate our community and appreciate our country and appreciate our families for the sacrifice they made for us to do what we do,” he said.

Pillen urged veterans to tell their stories so younger generations understand what they went through for the freedoms we have today.

His office has honored WWII veterans and is now honoring Korean War veterans, and asked for those veterans to contact his office and be recognized.

Pillen didn’t want the talk politics, but said the Nov. 3 election is important.

“We can all do a little bit more to protect democracy. My ask would be that it’s really, really important that all of us talk to our families and get out and vote because democracy depends on us.

“Unbelievable as it is, there are some who want socialism to take over, there are people who want Marxism to take over, and we can’t take it for granted,” he said.

Pillen touted his Ag Privacy Data bill, which he signed into law in April. It means farmers and ranchers own their operational data, requiring explicit written consent before a third party can sell it.

“Farms and landowners own our data because all that data goes in our combines. If it goes to publicly traded companies we have a problem,” he said.

Pillen said Nebraska is the first state to have an ag data privacy bill, and now 15 other states have followed.

He finished by telling the crowd he and his wife, Suzanne, are focused on kids, taxes, agriculture and values.

“Our kids are our future, never give up on a kid, and we feed the world and save the planet,” he said.

The “Unearth a Story” reading program and board game actually ended Aug.1. Of the 71 active reading participants, Emryn Baumgart, Grace Boesch, Remi Rathje, Natalia Kessler, Oaklyn, Noel, and Breck Zach, Emma Stone, Graham and Maeve Jenkinson, Connor Wegener, Parker Preister, Kara and Jamie Weidner, Emersyn and Eli King “dug” their way through the questions and activities of the board game to the Finish line.

While the kids play the board game, they are also accumulating reading pages. Of the 71 active “readers/players,” 40 readers turned in their reading pages by the Aug. 1 deadline. For kids 6 years and under, the top three reading page winners are (1) Emryn Baumgart, (2) Grace Boesch, and (3) Breck and Noel Zach. Remi Rathje is the first place winner in the 7-9 year-old category, with Connor Wegener in second and Natalia Kessler in third place. In the 10-13 years age group, first place goes to Henry Klassen, (2) Beau Klassen, and (3) Bailee & Rylee Ott. A shout out to all these winning readers as well as the rest of the library’s summer readers, good job reading.

All participants of the “Unearth a Story” reading program will receive certificates and small prizes. Stop in at the Humphrey Public Library to pick up your awards as soon as possible, and thank you for playing our summer “Unearth a Story” reading game.

Besides the reading program, the Library sponsored 4 STORYTIME sessions for kids ages 4-7 years at the library, and 4 Craft-Tymes for kids 7 years and up at the Humphrey Community Center in June. Special thanks to Aubrey Bower and Jenessa Wiehn, as well as all the parents/siblings/ babysitters that helped at the activities.

At this time, the Humphrey Public Library would like to extend a huge public thank you to the following people who donated funds/gifts to our summer program: Kevin and Denise Kallweit/Channel Seeds, Catherine Fuxa, Carolyn Korth, Sandy Classen, Cory and Jill Preister, Dawn and Eric Baumgart, Jill Werner/Werner’s Do-It-Best, the Albion Pizza Hut and several anonymous donors. Your generosity made a huge difference/ impact to our summer programming, and we extend our heartfelt thanks.

In transitioning from summer to the school year, the library has the 2026-27 Golden Sower nominees and Mrs. Huettner’s Flyer Reading Club list for checkout for the participating schools.

With the beginning of another school year comes the excitement of new sports seasons. Whether your student-athlete is competing for the first time or a returning letter winner, recognizing the early signs of an injury can make all the difference between missing days, weeks, or even the entire season or year.

It can be difficult to determine if initial soreness and other symptoms are part of training and competition or something more serious. Worsening pain, ongoing swelling, gait deviations, or inability to practice at full capacity should not be ignored. Initial conversation with coaching staff and athletic trainers is a good starting point, but early diagnosis can often prevent weeks on the sidelines and may even keep it from becoming a season-ending injury.

An appointment with your child's primary care provider is the first step in the initial differential diagnosis and, as necessary, imaging. Your PCP will determine the extent of the injury and if a referral to physical or occupational therapy is indicated. If your school has access to an athletic trainer, they are also an excellent resource and can help determine if further medical evaluation is needed.

At Boone County Health Center, our therapy team works with athletes of all ages and abilities to treat strains, sprains, muscle imbalances, and other sportsrelated conditions. Our therapists are here to help athletes get back in the game after an injury or surgery; however, prevention and early intervention are our top priority as well. The sooner treatment intervention begins, the better the opportunity for a full recovery and quicker return to the activities your athlete loves.

A successful sports season is about staying healthy. By listening to your athlete, recognizing early warning signs and seeking care when appropriate, we can help prevent a minor injury from becoming a major setback. Remember that adequate sleep, good nutrition, optimal electrolyte levels, and positive communication are also essential. BCHC Therapy Department wishes all our area athletes a safe and successful year.

Candidates are lacking in coming local races. In fact, candidates are lacking in local races across the state.

No candidates have filed for election in four Platte County townships, and just one candidate in one other.

The filing deadline passed July 15 for incumbents to seek re-election, and Aug. 3 was the deadline for new candidates to file.

The General Election is Nov. 3.

“As far as filings, I think it’s definitely been a trend,” Platte County Election Commissioner Eryn Roberts said. “Maybe not so much isolated to Platte County, it appears other counties are experiencing them as well. I spoke with the clerk from Thurston County and one of their township boards all resigned and no one has filed to run for that office.

“You can look back through some election results and note the number of candidates have become fewer each year. I’m not certain what the cause of that is. Is it people are too busy? Lost faith in government? Frustrated with how the laws have become challenging as far as budgets and taxes affect political subdivisions versus taxpayers? It’s pretty evident that fewer people file, once on the board, they are on there for life and typically pass it down to any children that are still in the area. I know Tarnov changed their charter to have 4 board members instead of 5 as they couldn’t get people to serve,” Roberts said.

In Platte County there are three townships that will have all new board members — or maybe none at all.

Sherman, Butler and Duncan townships are without candidates because no incumbents or new candidates filed for election.

The Village of Tarnov has just one candidate.

The Village of Creston has two candidates for three seats, as do the township boards of Granville, Oconee and Shell Creek.

According to Election Commissioner Eryn Roberts, “All townships, by statute, have three board members. If no one else files, and the deadline has passed, someone could complete a write-in affidavit, and we can count those votes. Anyone who is written in without that affidavit cannot be counted. If no one else files, the board (of supervisors) can appoint their replacement. If they cannot find someone, the county will then appoint the board.”

The write-in affidavit deadline is Oct. 23.

Madison County does not have townships and has just one village board, but clerk and election commissioner Anne Pruss, said finding candidates is still an issue for other offices.

“All my positions there is a candidate running. Is there multiple candidates running for those positions? No,” she said. “It would be good to see other people get involved and have that competition, and hopefully, select the right person. Not knowing these candidates and what they support, I think it’d be hard for the public to know them, especially if they’re running unopposed because they’re not having to campaign and have that soapbox and stand up and say this is what I’m representing.

“To speak on that, I am probably one of those candidates,” Pruss said. “I’m the only one running for the county clerk position. I’m an incumbent, and I’m running for my third election cycle. Is it because people feel I’m doing a good enough job, so they’re not going to run against me? If there is no incumbent running, and it’s a totally new candidate, is that person getting their word out as far as how they would like to see that particular government run?”

Pruss said even a forum where unopposed candidates could meet the public and field questions would benefit voters.

Her first year running for election she was the new candidate and ran against the incumbent, and she had to state her case why voters should support her, but since then she has been unopposed.

“Maybe people understand the commitment you make when you run as a candidate,” she said.

It is not an 8-5 job, especially since Madison County is the rare county that combines the clerk and election commissioner position into one.

Pruss can work 6 a.m. until 9 or 10 at night, so maybe people do not want to commit that much time.

She has to deal with upwards of 300 property protests, budget, and the election cycle, which also includes finding poll workers and volunteers for the elections.

“I wish more people would have an interest in elections, even as election workers or helping in election offices, preparing for elections,” she said.

Colfax County is bucking the trend. Rita M. Mundil, election commissioner, said this is the rare year when there are a couple vacancies, but most offices have enough candidates to fill the seats.

“For our villages races, they are all filled, and we do not have townships,” she said. “The offices in Colfax County that did not fill are for county attorney’s office and our surveyor’s office. We’ve been very fortunate, we hardly have an vacancies, in fact this is the first year we had vacancy for our attorney and surveyor or any of our races.”

Thurston County Clerk Steven Schneider said there are offices without candidates.

“We are seeing a decrease in certain townships (of people) wanting to run again,” he said. “With the villages, we are also seeing a bit of a downturn with people running for positions. We have three out of 11 townships that, as of right now, no one has filed for. What we believe is that a lot of them might be older, and they’re no longer interested in doing it anymore.”

Nebraska state statutes does allow for townships to be eliminated if no one serves on those boards.

Roberts said, “If the township fails to seat a board, if the township becomes inactive because two or more positions are vacant and unfilled for six months, the board of supervisors can pass a resolution to terminate that township.”

“Loup Township was dissolved for this reason. They could not find anyone to govern that body. The Board of Supervisors then have 6 months to appoint a board, and if they can’t find anyone the township is then absorbed into the county.

The General Election is Nov. 3.

The following is a list of Platte County candidates who have filed as of Monday morning:

Platte County Board of Supervisors District 1 

John R. Harms, Incumbent District 3

Kim Kwapnioski, Incumbent District 5

Bob Lloyd, Incumbent District 7

Gene Trouba, Incumbent

Humphrey Public School 

Julia A. Preister, Incumbent Kory Vering, Incumbent Kevin Herchenbach, Incumbent Jenny Baumgart, Incumbent Adam Korth, Non incumbent Todd Gronenthal, Non incumbent

Humphrey City Council Ken Leifeld, Incumbent Mindy Stock, Incumbent

Village of Cornlea, (elect 3) Tom Harding, Incumbent Kenneth A. Schnitzler, Incumbent Gary Raymond Bender, Incumbent

Village of Creston (elect 3) Derek Korth, Incumbent Timothy J. Mausbach, Incumbent

Village of Lindsay (elect 2) Jacob Hall, Incumbent Ross L. Korth, Nonincumbent

Village of Platte Center (elect 3) Deven Pillen, Incumbent Gwynn Sliva, Incumbent Jesse Barber, Incumbent

Village of Tarnov (elect 2) Ruth Mausbach, Incumbent

TOWNSHIP BOARDS Three Members for each

Township Board in Platte County (4-year terms):

Bismark Township

Todd Stuthman, Incumbent Jeffrey T. Lusche, Incumbent Jason Mueller, Incumbent

Burrows Township

John R. Schure, Incumbent Ken Classen, Incumbent Nick Olmer, Incumbent

Butler Township No candidates

Columbus Township

Sandra Bargmann, Incumbent Cathy S. Johnson Nonincumbent

Duncan Township No candidates

Grand Prairie Township

Mark Fittje, Incumbent Craig T. Rosendahl, Incumbent Todd Hassebrook, Incumbent

Granville Township

Steve Heesacker, Incumbent Daniel A. Wessel, Incumbent

Humphrey Township

Steve Albracht, Incumbent Larry Frauendorfer, Incumbent Brad Keller, Incumbent

Joliet Township

Jerry Pearson, Incumbent John M. McPhillips, Incumbent Alan J. Bender, Incumbent

Monroe Township

Douglas Nelson, Incumbent Glen A. Micek, Incumbent Bob Lloyd, Incumbent

Oconee Township

Susan Fricke, Incumbent Fred Fricke, Incumbent

Shell Creek Township Jamie Meyer, Incumbent Dale Jaixen, Incumbent

Sherman Township No candidates

St. Bernard

Derek Klassen, Incumbent Bryan Herchenbach, Incumbent Cory Beller, Incumbent

Walker Township

Tyson Jorgensen, Incumbent Kenneth Nelson, Incumbent Steve Backes, Incumbent

Woodville Township Bill Benson, Incumbent Patrick Werner, Incumbent Mark Cruise, Incumbent

Non-Partisan Offices:

Judges desiring retention must file with the Secretary of State’s Office by Aug. 3.

Director Cornhusker Public Power District to file with the Secretary of State’s Office: Subdivision No. 5 (6 year term-elect 1) Director Elkhorn Rural Public Power District must file with the Secretary of State’s Office: Subdivision No. 1 (6 year term-elect 1) Board Members of the Educational Service Unit No. 7 must file with the Secretary of State’s Office: District No. 1 (4 year termelect 1) District No. 3 (4 year termelect 1) District No. 5 (4 year termelect 1) District No. 7 (4 year termelect 1) Board Members of the Educational Service Unit No. 8 must file with the Secretary of State’s Office: District No. 3 (4 year termelect 1)

These friends and staples of the community gather over a round of beers at a large table near the center of the bar. Around them, the walls painted with maroons, greens and yellows provide a splash of color as hearty laughs bounce off lofted ceilings. Historic village photos adorn the bar with reminders of Hordville’s past.

Well ahead of the evening rush, the bar is milling with people, mostly area farmers who came in out of the rain.

This scene is one that plays out in any number of small town watering holes. But this is no typical bar for Hordville – “Banana Rams” has quickly staked its place as an important gathering space for the town and restored some of its dwindling sense of identity.

“This town really needed this,” local farmer Tom Gustafson said. “It gets people to socialize.”

Since opening in 2018, Banana Rams has steadily grown in popularity.

Founder Justin Blase said he set out to help put Hordville “back on the map” by offering a clean, friendly tavern with a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor. Now, people have a place to gather again.

“We've built a community,” he said. “That's what gives me pride of keeping this going.”

A slow decline About 30 miles east of Grand Island, the village of Hordville sits nestled among the cornfields and their farmsteads. The quiet town officially has 131 people, with a few dozen houses, a post office, First State Bank and a Baptist church.

Established in 1906 as a stop for the Union Pacific Railroad, Hordville began with a Lutheran church and a small schoolhouse. It grew to over 200 people – with a grocer, general store, barber, doctor and other services.

Traveling long distances was expensive and inconvenient, so many of Hordville’s residents worked, shopped and played in town.

The village’s success took a turn in the 1980s, said Rod Blase, Justin’s dad who also is the chairman of the village council and de facto historian of Hordville.

“You start getting big-box stores opening like Walmart and things like that,” Rod Blase said. “And then people just drove.”

The butcher and grocer were some of the first to go. Then the barbers and doctors. The school system merged with neighboring villages to form the High Plains Community School District in 2001. Three years later, Hordville’s school was shuttered altogether.

“There are not a lot of work opportunities in Hordville,” Justin Blase said. “So you can't really even spend your time socially in Hordville, and you can't make money in Hordville, so then what? What does it become?”

After growing up in Hordville in the 1990s, Justin Blase moved to Lincoln for college, where he got a job at James Arthur Vineyards and learned about the wine industry. He decided he would one day go into business for himself.

In 2015, an abandoned, historic storefront on Hordville’s Main Street went up for sale. At 26 years old, Justin bought the building for $10,000.

He and his family spent three years remodeling the building. His bar wouldn’t serve food – just plenty of drinks and good company in a friendly environment.

The unique name came from a term hunters use to refer to young bighorn sheep. Originally suggested by one of his friends as a joke, Justin decided to keep it. He painted the bar’s storefront a bright, banana-colored shade of yellow.

Today, people have a reason to stop in the village again, even if just to say they have stopped by the bar with the strange name.

People from across Hamilton County regularly drive into town just for the bar. Tim Boling is the mayor of Central City, located about 10 miles from Hordville. He said he and his friends get together at Banana Rams twice a month.

“In the last seven or eight years, word got out,” Boling said over a bottle of Coors Light. “There's people that come in here not as frequently as we do, but they stop in maybe once a month and just check it out.”

Many of Banana Rams’ patrons stop in to socialize with old friends. A few are there to make new friends. Some just want a drink.

“I like to talk to people; it builds community,” Boling said. “And Justin, he'll listen to everything, too.”

Justin still wonders about the future of Hordville. There’s excitement over talk that a family just bought a new home at the edge of town and will be moving in soon.

“I know my family's put in a lot of effort into keeping Hordville going, and a lot of other families have, too,” Justin said. “But what about the next generation? What does that look like?”

Future questions aside, Justin said he’s proud of what he’s built. “The traditional Hordville community might be gone,” he said. “But then I really truly feel like we have a community here at least, and we're open to anybody.”

For nearly 100 years, the house has been filled with laughter, cooked thousands of meals, and hosted at least that many family and friends.

Now, John and Jerry Albracht are the caretakers of the family home, and they are opening the doors to share the family dwelling.

The house at 404 Elm St. in Humphrey has seen a lot and taken on a new look over the years.

Ignitz and Maria Zach came to the country in 1877 from Vienna, Austria, and farmed southeast of Humphrey.

Their son, Vincent, married Bertha in 1886, building a home a half-mile south of 455th Street on Highway 81, which still stands today.

When Vincent and Bertha Zach retired from farming in 1926, they built the house.

After they passed their daughter, Anna Mary, lived there until 1988.

Bud and Germaine Albracht bought the house for $17,000, living there until they passed, and sons John and Jerry bought it, who have renovated it and remain in the home, surrounded by memories and artifacts of their family.

The Albrachts are planning an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, and hope everyone takes the time to stop in and see the house.

John, who lives in San Antonio started spending his summers in Humphrey with his folks to avoid the Texas heat. It was during that time he asked his parents if they minded if he made some improvements.

“I retired about 20 years ago, and started coming here for four months because it’s like it was here (recently), except it’s like that all summer. I started spending time here with Mom and Dad, and just started remodeling the bathroom one time, and half the kitchen one time, and the other half of the kitchen another time, the floors and bathrooms, just a little bit at a time,” he said.

Jerry is responsible for the beautiful exterior of the house handling the landscaping, taking care of the flowers and plants that adorn the home.

Although John did not grow up in the home, he has fond memories.

“I remember coming here as a little kid with my mom after church, and visiting with my great-grandmother, and I remember my great-grandfather. He got hurt in an accident and hurt his back and he just sat in a chair. I don’t remember ever saying a word to him. Of course I’d come home from the service or for the summer,” he said.

That’s when he started updating the home.

“Kind of the way it started is when I started coming home there was no shower upstairs, so I’d go down the stairs and then down more stairs, so started putting the shower in upstairs.

“Then I remember talking to my dad one day down in the basement, and I asked if he minded if I do something with the bathroom, and he said, ‘Sure,’ so I took it down to the studs and put in a shower and commode and everything,” John said.

He’s always been handy, able to fix and build things, taking after his father.

“I have the idea of what I want to do in my head, and my daughter, who has her own business, is phenomenal at decorating. Her husband, is a builder, you can show him the most complex picture, and he can build it. So between me, with my vision, and them, with their ideas, we are able to do this,” he said.

On the main level he pulled up the vinyl flooring and carpet to reveal hardwood floors, which he refinished.

Downstairs is the remodeled bathroom, and entrainment space and spare bedroom, along with a room filled with artifacts of days gone by, including the original stove and a phone that once hung on the wall of the house.

There is a room filled with knick knacks that surely will bring back memories for visitors, and a room filled with military medals and memorabilia.

Upstairs incudes a room with a Singer sewing machine once used and the wedding dress their mother’s grandmother, Bertha Zach, wore.

John said he’s stopping collecting because he’s run out of room, and there’s nothing left to renovate in the house.

If his folks were still around they’d no doubt marvel at all he’s done.

“I think they’d be happy,” he said.