Columns

This week, Americans celebrated the anniversary of the founding of our country. The Fourth of July is a day we reflect on our independence – freedoms that have been hard-fought since the inception of our nation.

We owe so much to the men and women who serve our nation in uniform. They defend our independence at home and abroad, and it would be impossible to celebrate the Fourth of July without acknowledging their contributions to the cause of freedom around the world.

Our country was founded on the idea that our people, not a monarch, would guide our government. The often-referenced preamble of Declaration of Independence lays out a series of “self-evident” truths that still guide us today.

All men are created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Baseball and livestock, not to mention much more will take center stage in and around Clay County over the course of the next several weeks, as the Sutton and South Central (Fairfield) Junior Legion baseball teams head into the post-season this week, following a regular season finale on the DLD Park Legion diamond, that was to take place this past Monday night.

Sutton will be hosting the Class B, Area-1 baseball tournament starting this Friday at DLD Park, while the South Central fellas head to Hebron for action in the Class C, Area-4 tournament.

Sutton’s looking for a return trip to the Class B state tournament, but will face a stout list of teams, at least by name, with Aurora, Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury, and York coming to Sutton for action that will runs Friday, July 7, through at least Tuesday, July 11. Should a rain day be needed for the double-elimination tournament, the B-1 tournament could run into Wednesday, July 12.

History is recorded each and every day by the community newspapers across the United States and certainly here in Nebraska. As the Nebraska Press Association turned 150 years old this year, a first in the industry in Nebraska took place during our annual convention, held this past April, when guest speaker, during one of our group events, Governor Jim Pillen presented a proclamation to our association, proclaiming that the week of June 26-30 will from here on out be called “Community Newspaper Week” in the State of Nebraska.

Honestly, it kind of surprised me that it took 150 years to officially “celebrate” an industry that is constantly giving back to the communities, villages and areas that we cover, but I personally thank our new governor for stepping up and recognizing our industry as one that serves in many rolls in our coverage area’s.

Milestones come and go. But this year, one milestone has gone by, and yet another is coming for me. When there used to be an alumni event in my hometown of Shelton, this year would have been my 40th class reunion! Oh my, how time has flown by!!

It still feels like I walked across the stage to receive my diploma from my father, who at the time was sitting on the Shelton school board.

Ironically, dad had his 79th heavenly birthday this past weekend, but that’s another topic for another time.

Next week’s paper will be the start of my 15th year in Clay County, which again, is really hard to believe, as well. Over that course of time, I’ve “fought off” numerous other job offers, with the most recent being this past April. It’s safe to say, Clay County has become home...at least I hope!

Competition, as the headline this week reads, can be so rewarding, yet it can also be so tough all at the same time. This past weekend during the 2023 Nebraska State Track and Field Championships, I was a personal witness to some amazing competition, but the injury bug held a strong cloud over the Sandy Creek boys team...but more on that, first...the rewarding action.

BALDWIN ENDS SHINING CAREER

Nathan Baldwin is certainly a big name in the throwing events in the State of Nebraska, regardless of class.

You’ve seen his name all over the place in this newspaper the past three track seasons, and he’s certainly received some state and national praise for his throwing abilities during the three years he represented Sutton High School. If you recall, his freshman season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

State track this year is going to be a real workout for the Ole Bull, after some stellar performances last Wednesday and Thursday during District track action. Clay County schools will be taking 26 student-athletes to the 2023 Nebraska State High School track and field championships, in an amazing 34 total events.

The Class D and Class C track and field events will hit the Omaha Burke High School oval and field this Friday and Saturday, and among those 26 kids representing their respective schools at Sandy Creek, Sutton, and Harvard, they will be doing so in 34 total events, which is a new record for ME anyway, in regards to how many events I’ve had to cover in one season since coming to Clay County in 2009.

This being my 14th state track meet since jumping on board with the Clay County News, it will be a workout for the old man.

School years come and go anymore, at least for me. I figure the older I get, the faster it goes. It literally feels like we just started the fall sports season, when in reality, we’re winding down the 2022-23 school year.

This week features the start of the track and field post-season and the boys golf season. District track is set for Wednesday, May 10 for both Sandy Creek and Harvard, thankfully at Sandy Creek High School. The Sutton track teams are slated to take to the Thayer Central oval and field Thursday, May 11.

District golf action for the Sandy Creek and Sutton squads will then hit next Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 16, with the Cougars competing in the D-1 District meet on Monday. The Mustangs will be part of the C-4 District meet, Tuesday.

Both district golf meets will be played in Grand Island at the Indianhead Golf Course. Heartland Lutheran is hosting the D-1 meet, with Grand Island Central Catholic hosting the C-4 meet.

BULL

Post office boxes throughout Clay County and our friends to the east, Grafton, will be filled each Wednesday and Thursday over the course of at least the next three, maybe four, weeks and you can thank the Clay County News for that.

We’re in the midst of a total saturation mailing over the course of the next few weeks in an effort to show you what many non-subscribers are missing with YOUR community newspaper.

So, that pretty much sums up why those of you that haven’t subscribed to the county newspaper have a paper this week...best of all, it’s free to you.

Honors are so amazing to receive. For 150 years, the Nebraska Press Association has been bestowing awards on newspapers around the state. The Clay County News took home some special honors this year, which you can read about in this edition. One award received by a staff member was beyond amazing.

Our news editor and layout guru Ashley Swanson was in the spotlight, winning the 2022 Feature Photo of the Year. She captured a picture at the Clay County Fair’s ranch rodeo, in the midst of a downpouring rain.

When she was announced as the top award winner over the landscape of all of our newspapers in Nebraska, daily papers, as well as weekly community newspapers in that category, it took me back to 1995.

Friday and Saturday, the Nebraska Press Association celebrated 150 years during the annual NPA Convention, this year in Lincoln.

I started my journey toward Lincoln Friday morning, and after an unfortunate flat tire on the interstate, I finally rolled my way into the parking garage ready to see familiar faces and join in on the informational sessions.

NPA Executive Director Dennis DeRossett called the NPA a big family, and it truly is.

It’s exciting to see familiar faces and have conversations with friends you otherwise don’t get to see throughout the year. And if you don’t know someone, it’s pretty easy to introduce yourself and get to know them quickly.

We’re a big family, all with different personalities, backgrounds, worldly views, and yet, we all strive toward one goal—telling the stories of our communities, good or bad, in a factual and engaging way for our readers.