Nemaha Central 5th Graders enjoyed their field trip to the Omaha Zoo last Friday!

Tuesday, October 28, was National First Responder's Day. When the poo-doo hits the fan, these are the people who show up with the training and dedication to make sure that people make it through the event as safe and stable as possible. These are typically Police, EMT, and Fire and Rescue on the local level. (In catastrophic events that allow prep time, such as hurricanes, this may also include military support from national guard or the coast guard.) In certain circumstances this may also include city and county crews where utility dangers are involved. So we give thanks and support to the men and women who keep our community safe, day and night, fair weather or poor, holidays and weekends, good health or not.

A group of seniors from Axtell High School took a trip to LifeCare in Seneca to help host a haunted house for the residents. Who do you think was the scariest?

Congratulations to HES 2nd Grader Zamora Martinez for being chosen as the winner of the 2nd grade Ag Partners coloring contest after learning about agriculture, farm, and harvest safety.

Kristi Blevins, Highland Community College Director of Financial Aid, provided a financial aid session for Sabetha Blue Jay juniors, seniors & their families. The topic is BIG, so the more you know about it, the more prepared you are to navigate the process! Further information about financial aid + scholarships was also emailed (to jrs & srs)—please be in touch if you have questions!

Community Memorial Healthcare Blue Rapids Medical Clinic staff wished nurse practitioner, Cheri Shanks, a fond farewell after 23 years. Best wishes to Cheri as she furthers her education in healthcare. She will be missed!

In Technology, the Nemaha Central 6th graders are learning to create clip art from basic shapes using Google Drawings.

With the great weather on October 18, 2025, the 19 th Annual Heritage Day at the
Onaga Historical Society Museum was an enjoyable event for all attending. With a wide
range of presenters, the visitors to the event, found many things of historical interest to
enjoy and interact with. Throughout the day, people enjoyed Bluegrass music by the
Bonjour Connection. Keynote speaker, Bill McFarland, presented on the 8 th Kansas
Infantry. His presentation coincided well with the talk Rosie Bosse gave on her Civil
War research for her current series of books.

A host of other presenters or exhibitors included Brian Palmaterr with floor loom
weaving, Rebecca Snavely with spinning thread, “Vintage Hats Photo Op” with Robin
Kolterman, Zabel Collin talked of his trip to Japan, Pottawatomie County Undersheriff
Eric Coleman, Lee Steinmeyer with information of furs and trapping, Shawn Dice with
his pulley system rigged to test your strength as well as making ropes and tying knots,
Marge Haynie with walnut cracking, butter churning with Gretchen Kopp, Michelle
Campbell promoted the repurposing of the Courthouse, Steve Suther with wine-making
techniques, and authors Rosie Bosse and Isabelle Doehass shared their books.

Heritage Day would not be complete without the needlecrafters, which was how the
original Heritage Day began, with a day of “needles” among friends. Needlecrafters this
year included Rheva Boswell, Dea Graf, Kathy Blair, and June Walshire.

On display was “How Grandma Made Soap”, Ross Manuel’s carriage, along with
several farm vehicles, Master Gardens, and Apple Crunch off complete with free apples.
Children enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt throughout the grounds. Concessions were
available from Hannah Belle’s Catering. The Coffee Barn provided coffee for the
presenters.

Winners of this year’s drawing were Jan Kufahl, Sarah McKinsey, and Diana Brunkow.

Given the amount of work by many volunteers that goes into creating such an event, it
would be wonderful if more people would take the time to attend events the Onaga
Historical Society provides for the community free of charge.

The Seneca Area Chamber and Downtown Impact is proud to announce that it has received a 2025 Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) Marketing Award in the Small Budget – Community Awareness category. The award, presented during the Kansas Tourism Conference Awards Banquet on Tuesday, October 21, recognizes the 2025 Seneca Summer Passport program, which encouraged locals and visitors alike to explore and engage with Seneca throughout the summer. Pictured with the award is Executive Director, Kylee Bergstrom. 

The Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) is dedicated to advancing tourism across the state through advocacy, education, and collaboration. TIAK empowers tourism professionals, businesses, and communities with resources, networking, and legislative support to promote Kansas as a premier destination.

The Sabetha Fire Department New Rescue 37 looks sharp with decals and lettering from Custom Life Co. The will soon be upgrading the emergency flashers to LEDs which will be brighter, longer lasting and more energy efficient.

The New Rescue 37 was purchased with funds from the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation to replace the old resque truck that didn't have room for all the required equipment that the fire department needs to bring to emergency situations. The truck was purchased from the Purple Wave for $50,000, and is now being fitted out with new equipment and new lights. The next upgrade will be to replace the strut system.

This purchase has already been beneficial to the department and they want to thank all who have supported this effort and continue to support the department.

Last year NCEMS students raised money to honor their long-time, beloved janitor Mr. Steve Honeyman, after his untimely passing. Afterwards 6th-8th students walked downtown to see Mr. Honeyman’s military banner and other community members' too.

While the Sabetha Blue Jay seniors were doing Apply Kansas activities and the juniors and freshmen were testing, the sophomores lent a helping hand performing community service around town. Community service can count as a postsecondary asset that is required for graduation beginning with the class of 2028. Thanks for all of your help sophomores!

NCEMS presented the funds from the “Hat and Shades” day to Kathy Childress to help with medical cost for Daniel! #Allinfor 61!

The elementary students paid $1 to wear a hat or a pair of sunglasses to school for a day. They paid $2 to wear both a hat and sunglasses to school. The "fees" went to a fund for Daniel's medical expenses and the students were able to give $1,157!!

Way to go Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School Students!

A "The Good of the Hive" mural is now being painted in Auburn, Nebraska by world-renowned muralist Matthew Willey.

Matt has been in Auburn for about three weeks, and the first bees are taking shape on the wall! The mural is coming to life and drawing visitors daily. They would love to welcome you to Auburn to see the progress, meet Matt, and share this amazing story!

Visitors are welcome to stop by through the rest of this week, October 20 and 21 or after October 24, as the mural continues to unfold and weather allows.

You can learn more about the global project at www.thegoodofthehive.com and find local updates at facebook.com/AuburnCreativeDistrict.

Brown County Special Education will recognize one outstanding employee each month from within the USD 430 district. Our first honoree is Deanna Higley, who has dedicated 31 years to serving students in special education.

Thanks to Onaga High School's Mr. Figge's ag students, the Onaga Historical Society Museum buggy now rests on "grass"! The students not only helped move the buggy off its platform and placed the grass under it, they also helped move risers in place for an upcoming railroad exhibit and a wind charger exhibit. Their youthful help is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all the students who helped with the project.

Sabetha Public Schools thanks the Sabetha Chamber for organizing the 2025 Manufacturing Day event! Also, a special thanks to KSi, NorthWind Technical Services, Coperion and Wenger for fantastic tours and to participating schools & partnering companies for engaging in conversations with our students. There is so much opportunity in northeast Kansas—it was great for our students to experience!

This week Community Memorial Heathcare in Marysville celebrates Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week. Thank you to Lori, Sarah, Heather, Madison, Jodie, and Cindi (not pictured) for providing meals for thier patients, staff, and visitors!

The Seneca Free Public Library continues to partner with the Nemaha County Food Pantry in October with a monthly highlight to laundry soap and detergents. When push comes to shove, priorities get made, and since laundry soap isn’t food (Repeat: Laundry Soap Isn’t Food, Kids!), sometimes it gets skipped or substituted for with less effective options. That’s why Nemaha County Food Pantry includes laundry soap and detergents in its non-food distributions, along with a variety of health and hygiene items that are vital to self-care. You can make a difference! Drop off your donations of laundry soap or detergent, personal hygiene products, or any other non-expired and unopened food items here at the library during the library's regular business hours: M-Th 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Don’t want to hassle with going to the store or guessing which brand or size to get? They collect cash donations to deliver to the Food Pantry also!

The Sabetha High School is holding a Penny War this week and next to help support Daniel Childress from Nemaha Central High School. These students have been hard at work filling their class jars! 

Danny Childress is a senior at Nemaha Central High School and a member of the school's football team who has been diagnosed with cancer. Many area school are fundraising to show they're "All In for #61," the number Childress wears on the field.

Friday, October 10th is the deadline to participate in the "Penny War for #61"