Dorothy Marie Henry, age 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. Dorothy (Dot) was born on March 11, 1937 at Holbrook, Nebraska to Ernest and Rachel (Mock) Mues.

Saturday marks an important day in the Gerlach house. Well, it hasn’t before, but it’s going to now.

Bacchus was a member of the Roman pantheon of gods. In ancient times he had a variety of attributes, but modern culture primarily remembers him as a god of wine and debauchery. Perhaps the image of his followers, or Bacchantes, as individuals who have abandoned society to live in a raucous state of perpetual inebriation has contributed to our perception of alcoholism and addiction.

The Nebraska Legislature is two-thirds of the way through the 2021 legislative session. Over the next several weeks, Senators will vote on a number of key bills. As they do, I encourage Nebraskans to follow closely debate at the State Capitol.

Last week we began debate on the budget bills. Our only constitutional responsibility as a legislature is to pass a biennial budget. It’s been awhile but we actually have more money than was projected which makes it easier and also a bit harder to create a budget. When we are low on money it is easier to just say no to anything that requires extra money. When we have extra money it can be difficult to decide what should take priority. Just because we have more this year, doesn’t mean that during the next budget cycle we will be in the same situation and then we would have to cut a program that was just created. Although, any money that can go towards property tax relief in a sensible manner is something that has been a priority of mine and I will continue to support it.

The Granada Theater will be showing new release movies beginning the weekend of April 30. The Board is busy preparing to “powerup” the Theater for patrons. The digital projector needed to have its software updated and the projector needed to have a “good digital physical” from a specialized technician. The pop machine has to have Pepsi technicians recalibrate the machine, replace tubing, and do special cleaning etc., before any pop can be served and of course all new products are on order. The concession stand will be completely restocked with fresh products…including popcorn! As long as movies are available from Hollywood for showing, the Theater will be back in business as usual. Showtimes will be April 30-May 3 “News World,” May 7-10 and May 14-17 “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and May 21-24 and May 28-31 “Tom & Jerry the Movie.” All showtimes are at 7:30 pm.