Springfield Wednesday Newsletter: December 27, 2023

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Dear Readers,

I would like to announce that I will no longer be serving as this newsletter's editor. My first newsletter was published on December 27, 2006. I have enjoyed informing the Springfield community about news and activities throughout the past sixteen years. Many thanks to all readers of the online Springfield Community for your support.

We are searching for a new Editor. If you're interested, please send your contact information to John for a quick phone call.

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you!

To end my time as the newsletter editor, this is a top ten list of the best things about Springfield (in no particular order):

The friendly people
Small town living
Local businesses and business owners
City of Springfield administration and staff
Springfield Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department
City of Springfield Parks & the MoPac Trail system
Springfield Memorial Library
Springfield Platteview Community Schools
Springfield Churches
Community organizations

Please never forget how lucky we are to be in the greatest little town!

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MainStreet AntiqueShop 2023

KEITH HENTZEN RENOVATES VACATED MAIN STREET BUILDING

After purchasing the former Corky's Workshop & Antique Store in 2022, Keith Hentzen, the owner of Springfield Soda Fountain, immediately began renovating the two structures. Hentzen noted that the project was much more labor intensive than he expected. The front façade of both buildings have recently been renovated. While construction is ongoing, an antique store is now open in the east building. Hentzen’s main commitment is how the Springfield community may benefit most from these historic structures. Well done, Keith!

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Chess Club

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IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD HISTORY

History Mills 1990 Army Reservist Pfc. Ed Mills Jr. was called to serve with the 403rd military prisoner of War Camp during Desert Storm. Before departing with his unit, Mills is pictured at the Springfield Our Redeemer Lutheran Church along with 9 1/2 month old Dustin Fickler.

History Manzer 1991

Pfc. Jerry Manzer Jr. (Rocky) a pharmacy technician with the 82nd Field Hospital was stationed in Frankfort Germany during Desert Storm.

Both army reservists in the photos were called to served in December, 1990.

Our nation became embroiled in the Desert Storm conflict in the Middle East thirty-three years ago. Several Springfield residents who were in the armed forces were called up to fight in the conflict. Members of the national guard and reserves as well as full-time military were impacted. For the relatives and friends of those serving, the call up to Desert Storm of loved ones was unsettling. We appreciate all members of the military called to serve especially during times of conflict.

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View auction inventory >>>

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Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth

Register for Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth by Dec. 31 to receive early bird discount, while helping utility customers in need.

Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District encourage you to give the gift of warmth and safety this holiday season by registering for the Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth. Funds raised provide utility bill assistance for customers going through hard financial times.

Heat the Streets takes place March 2, 2024, at Zone 6 in Aksarben Village, 1911 S. 67^th St. in Omaha. This is the 17^th year Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District are hosting the event to raise money for utility assistance programs for customers struggling to pay their bills.

This year’s co-chairs are Jim Begley, vice chair of the M.U.D. Board of Directors, and his wife, Rebecca, and Matt Core, a member of the OPPD Board of Directors, and his wife, Katy.

Last year, M.U.D.’s HomeFund distributed $280,389 of bill assistance funding to 790 households in need. OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program distributed $319,987 in funding to 937 households in need.

Heat the Streets is the single largest fundraiser of the year for these programs. Last year the event raised $138,081. This year, the utilities have set a goal of registering at least 1,000 participants and raising at least $300,000.

Fundraising is especially critical right now, as a decrease in federal funding allotted to programs that help with utility bill assistance has put extra pressure on the utilities’ assistance programs.

The utilities host the run and walk during the winter to bring added attention to the struggle that so many face to keep their homes safe and warm. However, our customers’ need is year-round. Unexpected events – a lost job, hospital stay, even car repairs – are a real hardship for those living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, just a little financial boost can make all the difference.

Funds raised are administered by Dollar Energy Fund Inc., a registered 501(c)(3), and then split between M.U.D.’s Home Fund and OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program to provide assistance to our customers living in Burt, Cass, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington counties. All money raised is distributed through this local network.

Participation options, including a new 10k distance race path, and prices follow. The registration window opens Nov. 24, with discounts for early birds who register before the end of the year.

Timed 10K

$35 (Nov. 24 through Dec. 31)
$40 (Jan. 1 through Feb. 28)
$50 (Day-of registration)

Timed 5K

$30 (Nov. 24 through Dec. 31)
$35 (Jan. 1 through Feb 28)
$45 (Day-of registration)

Untimed one-mile walk

Children 12 and under may register for free with a registered adult.

$25 (Nov. 24 through Dec. 31)
$30 (Jan. 1 through Feb. 28)
$40 (Day-of registration)

Virtual run/walk

Participants may complete their choice on the path of their choice, such as a treadmill, in their neighborhoods or a local trail.

$35 (Nov. 24 through Feb. 28)

Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female runners in each of the following age divisions for the timed 5K and 10K events: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. (No awards for virtual participants.)

You do not have to participate in the run or walk to help the cause. Just visit HeatTheStreetsOmaha.com to donate and view sponsorship opportunities.

Both utilities urge any customers who are struggling with their bills to call their customer service representatives and talk through their options. For OPPD, that number is 402-536-4131 in the Omaha area. Outside of the metro, customers may call toll-free at 877-536-4131. M.U.D. customers should call 402-554-6666.

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TEAM 2024 meetings

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**HAPPENING NEARBY**

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For more info, click here:

LOFTE COMMUNITY THEATRE

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CORNHUSKER COUNTRY MUSIC THEATER

211 Main Street

Louisville, NE

Come on over and take a spin on our dance floor!

This is a family-friendly venue, so bring the kids, too!

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NO SATURDAY EVENING SHOWS in:

DECEMBER & JANUARY

HOWEVER, we will have

FREE, OPEN JAM SESSIONS!

January 7,14, 21 & 28

Bring your instruments, bring your voices or just sit in and listen!
Let's get together and have a good time!

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information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<;/strong>

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063613958002

For more information, call Larry: 1-402-949-0668.

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Louisville Food Bank

SHARE PLEASE - WE NEED MORE TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
Mark your calendars! Stop down and stock up. There is no scary process or forms to fill out. Just good people helping good people.
Open days (always 6:00-7:00pm)
Inside Hopes Closet 213 Main Louisville
Dec 21 right before Christmas
Dec 28

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Next years dates open! 6-7 pm
Jan. 11, 25
Feb. 8, 22
March 14, 28
April 11, 25
May 9, 23
June 13, 27

We strive to have the Food Bank open on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, however holidays might change those dates.
Updates can be found here >>

Please come and pick up what you need for your household or a friend’s.
We have canned goods, boxed meals, breakfast items, frozen meats, bread, eggs, baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, personal care items, diapers and wipes.

uuuuuuuu

“New Year=New Life! Decide today who you will become, how you will give, how you will live.”

-Anthony Robbins

Thank you to all Springfield E-Newsletter readers.

Connie Manzer

PLEASE HELP THE EDITOR!

Help make the newsletter better! Your news is needed for the Springfield electronic newsletter. Post school, organizational, and sporting announcements. Birthday and anniversary announcements are welcome, also. Send photos and fliers. Get the word out to everyone in Springfield and beyond. Please have your info in by Monday 10pm. Email all news and photos to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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