SPRINGFIELD NEWSLETTER

What’s New in Springfield, NE

September 19, 2007

Get ready to celebrate, it’s National Chicken Month! Try new chicken recipes during September or you may even want to enter the National Chicken Cooking Contest at: www.eatchicken.com
Interesting chicken facts:

• In Gainesville, Georgia, the chicken capital of the world, it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork.
• Alektorophobia is the fear of chickens.
• Wild Red Jungle Fowl are the ancestors of today's chickens. The breed has survived at large for about 8,000 years—rare for a wild ancestor of a domesticated animal.
• A hen must eat about four pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs.
• The chicken can travel up to nine miles per hour.
• Over 9 billion chickens are raised for food annually in the US.

Better yet, celebrate by doing the Chicken Dance. The "Chicken Dance" was introduced in the United States in 1981 by the Heilbronn Band from Germany during the 1981 Tulsa Oktoberfest. The song was not actually the Chicken Dance, but "Der Ententanz"—"The Duck Dance." There was not a duck costume to be found anywhere in Tulsa; however, a chicken costume was available at one of the local television stations. The station donated the costume for use at the festival, and the rest is history. At that time the tune was all the rage in Germany. The dance is now a staple at weddings and Oktoberfests.

Now…to tell you my chicken story. Living in a small town in Iowa, my grandmother would buy fresh chickens from a farmer just outside of town. One time when I was about nine years old my younger sister, cousin, and I had the opportunity to go with grandma to purchase three fresh chickens. As the farmer prepared the chickens, I was so horrified by their demise I squeezed my eyes shut for the first two chickens. Deciding to be as brave as my sister and little cousin, I took a peep at what was going on for the poor third chicken. You know that saying “running around like a chicken with its head cut off”? Well, that’s what was happening at the very moment I took that peek. This city girl was traumatized for life!

Correction: Now that everyone knows that I am directionally challenged, I am pointing to the “northeast” towards Papillion. You were all so kind not to email, yell at, or stop by to tell me that Papillion isn’t to the south of Springfield. Thanks!

Springfield Elementary 4th grade student’s art work is now on display at the Springfield post office. Students inspired by the U.S. postage “Pollination” stamps created art work in conjunction with the study of plants. Be sure to stop by for a look at this spectacular exhibit.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SPRINGFIELD

September 21, 7pm- Friday night Football at Blair. Go Trojans!

September 22, 5:30pm – Platteview Booster’s Couple Golf Outing at Tregaron

September 22 – Soaring Wings Vineyard – Harvest Festival, gates open at 11:00am with music beginning at noon. Admission is $12 for adults, under 12 free. Join in on the Grape Stomping Competition during the afternoon hours.
Bands performing:

12-3 Edys Fiddlers
3-6 "Magic Slim" and Toons
6-9 Monica Eby Band

Acoustic Sundays is still in progress. Free admission! Happening from 1-4pm. For more information, link here: http://www.soaringwingswine.com/eventsandfestivals.html

September 24 – For all South Sarpy School District #46 students, NO CLASSES! Teacher In -Service Day

October 11, 4-6pm – VNA Flu Immunization Clinic at Springfield Memorial Library, 665 Main St., for ages 13 & up. $25.00 or free with Part B Medicare card. Parent or guardian permission is needed for under 19 years of age.

Coming in October! Springfield First United Methodist Church celebrates its 125th anniversary. The celebration takes place on October 14th with a worship service at 10:00am. Special guest will be Bishop Ann Scherer. Reservations are being taken for a meal to follow the worship service. An auction of a full size quilt, 2 table runners, and 1 table square takes place during this commemorative event. Congratulations to Springfield’s First United Methodist Church!

At Springfield Memorial Library, registration is now open for an after school workshop, Creative Art with Miss Nancy, for K-3rd grade students from 3:30 – 4:30 on October 16 & 23. Sign up by stopping by or call 253-2797.

Roger & Gina in Elmwood are having a Moving Sale! Click here to see all that “For Sale”:

SPRINGFIELD HISTORICAL TIDBIT:
1883-Thomas Schofield, aged 91 years walked in nine miles to pay his subscription. It is the general impression among publishers that there is a number of subscribers who are waiting until they are 91 years old before coming in to pay for their paper.
-Reference: Springfield, Nebraska At Its Source 1882-1982

~A small town is the place where a fellow with a black eye doesn’t have to explain; they know.

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.