SPRINGFIELD NEWSLETTER

What’s New in Springfield, NE

January 9, 2008

A television weather forecaster confirmed my husband’s observation that December was colder and snowier than past few years, but our area is now experiencing a brief respite from an especially wintry season. If you or the kids are feeling the effects of being confined indoors, bundle up, pull on those boots, and head outside. Here are a few ideas for fun activities in the great outdoors:

• Power walk or jog
• Take a nature hike
• Go sledding
• Ice skate
• Take photos of winter scenes
• Put up a bird feeder
• Bird watch
• Look for animal tracks
• Look for winter plants to look up later and study
• Build a snow fort
• Watch the sunset
• Go out at night and observe the stars

We are fortunate to live in an area with lots of places to enjoy the winter season out-of-doors. Enjoy these nearby parks and recreation areas:

• Buffalo Park
• City Park
• The Mo-Pac Trail
• Louisville State Recreation Area
• Schram Park
• Mahoney State Park
• Platte River State Park
• Chalco Hills Recreation Area
• Lake Zorinsky

Head back indoors when you are tired and chilly. Have some hot chocolate or make some warm soup. Now it’s time for a rest!

*Hint: This past weekend while traipsing down the Mo-Pac trail, we saw a flock of robins. Is this a sign of an early spring?

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SPRINGFIELD

January 12, 7:00pm – Soaring Wings Vineyard presents “Meet Your Winemaker” dinner. Reservations required. $60 per person. Chef Paul Pleskach of At Your Service Catering will serve a five course meal pairing each entrée with wines from Soaring Wings Vineyard. Link here for more info: http://www.soaringwingswine.com/aboutsoaringwingsvineyard.html

January 15, 22, 29, 3:30 – 4:30pm - “Get Fit & Read” at Springfield Memorial Library. Kids come to the library after school on Tuesdays in January to exercise and read. We will follow a fitness video, eat a healthy snack, and read our favorite books. For K-6th grades.

January 16 – Prayer Patches, United Methodist Church sewing quilts from 6:00 -7:30 & 8:00-9:00.

January 17, 24, 31, 3:30 – 4:30pm, “Ooey, Gooey Science” An after school workshop for ages 9-12. Explore science and how it works. All projects will be safe and simple. Registration is required. Call 253-2797.

January 21- South Sarpy District #46, No Classes - Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day observed – January 21st
Reminder- All federal, state, county and city offices are closed

Registration for SSAP Spring Soccer has begun. Register online at www.ssap.org

Go Trojans!!! Platteview High Basketball Games and Wrestling Teams are in full swing right now. Be sure to support our teams.
Support the younger players, also. Catch some SYAA basketball games on Saturdays!!!

Knock, knock…Who’s there? It’s a Girl Scout selling those yummy Girl Scout cookies. The 2008 cookie selling season runs January 11-27. Eight varieties of cookies are available this year. All cookies are trans-free! The new variety this year is called Cinna-spins, which is a crispy cinnamon oatmeal bite-sized cookie. It comes in 100 calorie packs. Just right for those watching their caloric intake! Be sure to make your cookies purchases from your favorite Girl Scout when she some knocking at your door. All proceeds benefit our local Great Plains Girl Scout program to help girls stay strong.

*This information is from the Chair of the Sarpy County Democratic Caucus.
For Immediate Release
Press Release
Sarpy Democrats Count Down To Caucus
Nebraska Helps Determine Nominees

Sarpy County, Nebraska/January 7, 2008: A history-making event will be facilitated by area Democrats in February. The Democratic Caucus will be held on February 9, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. Sarpy County will decide whom our Party will nominate for President. The event will take place at Papillion La Vista South High School located at 10799 Highway 370 in Papillion, Nebraska.

Participants must be registered Democrats or complete registration on site, subject to election commission validation. For people with disabilities, those in the military, students attending out-state colleges/universities or those who will be prohibited from participating on a Saturday due to religious practices, a preference card may be requested no later than January 15, 2008 from the Sarpy County Caucus Chair. However, the card must be returned no later than February 1, 2008 and those participating via preference card will not have the opportunity for realignment since it is considered an absentee ballot.

“It is our priority to share this information with Sarpy County Democrats,” states County Caucus Chair Peg O’Dea Lippert. “The February 1st deadline is especially important for those who cannot attend but need a preference card for participation.” “We want to give every Sarpy County Democrat the chance to participate.”

Interested parties can contact the Sarpy County Caucus Chair, Peggy O’Dea Lippert at (402) 339-1218 to learn more about participation or to request a preference card. They are also encouraged to attend the monthly Sarpy County Democrat meeting held the third Wednesday of each month at Lansky’s Pizza located in Twin Creek at 36th and Highway 370.

Information is also available at www.nebraskademocrats.org and
www.sarpydemocrats.zoomshare.com. For background information, contact PR volunteer, Carol Blood at 402-517-1446 or carol@urpr.biz.

Our County. Our Party. Our Choice For President.

SPRINGFIELD HISTORICAL TIDBIT
About the middle of January, 1883, a big two day blizzard and snow storm hit the whole state of Nebraska. Springfield was in the very worst of it, or so it seemed at that time. The Missouri Pacific southbound passenger train for Kansas City, due at the Springfield at 10:37pm was caught in a deep cut on Carpenter Hill 3 miles north of Springfield, with 108 passengers and a crew of five, including women and children.
-Reference: Springfield, Nebraska At It’s Best 1882-1982

~The three words guaranteed to humiliate men everywhere? 'Hold my purse.'

Connie Manzer

News to the Editor: Please send in all your Springfield area news. Pictures, announcements, and events will be added to the upcoming newsletter. Thanks in advance for all your help. Send to Editor@springfieldnebraska.com.