10 years ago Deb Monter and Karen Gottsch were the winners of The First National Bank Christmas Money Tree Contest. Bank president Larry Voss presented them each half of $283.32, Cambridge native Thomas McHale will travel to Botswana on New Year’s Day to student community and public health at the University of Botswana in Gaborone.

10 years ago Arapahoe native, Lelia Haussler, knows the history of Arapahoe and their families. She learned the annual McCoy family reunion began in 1918.

LINCOLN – Governor Pete Ricketts appointed Patrick Heng of North Platte as District Court Judge in the Eleventh Judicial District. The Eleventh District consists of Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas counties.

How do they do it? Every Christmas season finds pretty lights and yard decorations around town and in the country. This year we did interviews with three families who year after year put in the time and work to decorate for the season.

Food intolerance and food allergy are common these days. When I was a kid, no one asked about nut allergies or gluten sensitivities when inviting you to a birthday party. You could bring homemade snacks to school. Peanuts were served to everyone on airplanes. Today, we are constantly reminded to beaware and take precautions to help prevent exposure for those who are intolerant or allergic.

In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman World. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was Governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

Our state’s rural areas have much to be proud of: low crime rate, outstanding community pride and neighbors willing to lend a hand are just a few. But it’s no secret that collectively, Nebraskans have watched our rural populations decline over the decades. With those decreases, we lose resources, services and schools, leaving communities disadvantaged in their fight for sustainability. Those of us who are also working hard to support economic development know how tough it has become to retain and recruit businesses and a dynamic workforce to rural communities.

Robert “Bob” Russell Tilson of Omaha, NE, passed away on December 16, 2021 at his home. He was born in Elwood, NE, on February 21, 1943 to Russell and Jane Tilson.

A Funeral Service for Kent A. Brown was held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Oxford, Nebraska with Pastor Albert Longe officiating. Following the funeral service, the family honored Kent’s wish for cremation and a private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Lincoln – You may think Christmas and other December holidays are synonymous with stress, but with a little creativity and some self-care, that doesn’t have to be the case – mentally or physically.