Eustis-Farnam performed Charlotte's Webb by Joseph Oberg. The Children's Literature Association named this 'the best American children's book of the past two hundred years,' and Joseph Robinette, working with the advice of E.B. White, has created a play that captures this work in a thrilling and utterly practical theatrical presentation. The costumes and unit set may be simple or as colorful and elaborate as you wish; it's the story and relationships that make the show. All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the 'miracle' of her web in which she writes, 'Some pig.' It's the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship that will give your actors a great opportunity and your audience an evening of enchantment.

The Eagles performed FREAK by Angela Hill. 'I've already been to high school; that's like the biggest freak show of all.' Monique dreads school. The constant torment makes her feel like a sideshow freak. Every day, Monique wanders the scariest place on earth, the school hallway, and wishes she could just disappear - and then she does. Monique finds herself out of high school and in an 'unusual, disturbing, and fantabulastic' sideshow. Monique the freak, the freakiest freak of all, wonders how she got there, why she is there, and what other outcasts lurk inside. This fantasy social drama explores bullying and its extreme consequences. Though sometimes dark, Freak emphasizes hope, and it is hope that finally leads her home.

The Trojans performed Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ' anybody ' ladies come to have their hair done.

Maywood performed Omnipotence and the Wheelbarrow Man by Alan Haehnel. This is about a bored, egotistical, and slightly sadistic narrator who seems to think that the audience has come to watch him alone. His demeanor goes from arrogant to miffed to panicked to defeated as control of the play is slowly taken away from him.

Southwest performed #Viral by Maria McConville. In this ensemble-driven drama featuring an all-female cast, five high school girls recount a cruel locker room bullying incident that is initially cloaked in secrecy but ultimately goes viral online. What happens next forces the students to question their respective roles in the events that unfolded in that fateful day. A virtual version is also available upon request.

Elwood performed The Monkey's Paw, written by their director, Dennis Seberger, and adapted from the W. W. Jacobs Story. The Monkey's Paw is a story by W. W. Jacobs that we've adapted to a more modern 1970s version. The story is about a family that finds themselves happy, content, and on a path toward success...until the monkey's paw enters the situation. The monkey's paw grants three wishes, but it also teaches about the dangers of ill-gotten gains. The White family will suffer the consequences of using the monkey's paw, and their happiness will shatter.

BEAVER CITY – Fourteen quilts were presented to area veterans on Tuesday at the Escher Senior Center by the Holdrege-based Prairie Quilts of Honor. The quilting group has presented 720 quilts and matching pillowcases to mostly Phelps, Harlan, Furnas, and Gosper County veterans, with some also given to veterans from Kearney and Franklin Counties.

Happy Thanksgiving & early Happy Holidays from your local Nebraska Extension County Offices!! With busy holiday schedules and the extra holiday gatherings, it is easy to feel stressed over the holiday season. Nebraska Extension Food & Health Educator Kayla Hinrichs based in Valley County has a few tips to help you create balance and have time to be present this holiday season.

With election season behind us, the Senate is back in session. Our next few weeks before the year ends and the Biden administration comes to a close are known as the “lame duck period”—a period often marked by complacency as Congress waits for a new administration to begin.

Lately my teenager has been fascinated by medical dramas. Although my “doctor self” is usually rolling my eyes throughout the program, it’s often a good conversation starter.