It's time for the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat!

The Women of Neligh are again sponsoring the event, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to join in the fun by wearing their favorite costume (optional), decorating a vehicle for Halloween and offering treats to the children who attend. Groups may also offer simple carnival-type games if they wish. The Women of Neligh will host games as well.

There is no admission fee and children of all ages are welcome.

Those who would like to participate may contact Donna Tuch at 402-750-8369 to register. Please contact her by October 24. 

Set up will begin at 1:30 p.m. the day of the event. Groups are asked to bring a sign advertising their business or organization. For suggestions, Google "Trunk or treat vehicle photos." Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated vehicles.

The public is encouraged to participate in a free 18-hole miniature golf in Neligh on Monday, Oct. 15, with the Neligh Chamber Putt-A-Round. 

Sponsored by the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, the action starts at 6 p.m. at the Neligh Legion and runs through 8 p.m. Those playing can start at anytime between 6-8 p.m. The first 10 holes — hosted by various businesses and the Neligh-Oakdale FBLA — will be at the Legion, which will also be have pulled pork and chili available for $6 per person. The final eight holes will be at other business locations.

There is $200 in prizes and some businesses will be offering other prizes as well at their putt-around. 

There is no cost to participate in the Putt-A-Round. The event serves as a fun outing and reminder of all the great businesses serving Neligh.

The tears flowed from Nate and Darcy Metschke before either Neligh-Oakdale teacher could begin to say thank you to the nearly 1,000 people who stopped at one of the largest benefits witnessed in Antelope County.

“We’re just blown away by the community support. We’re going to win this,” said Nate Metschke, the Warrior band instructor who is fighting his second battle with cancer in two years.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratefulness. I’m speechless; it’s wonderful,” added his wife Darcy, who is a fourth-grade teacher at Neligh-Oakdale.

The spaghetti benefit also featured 112 silent item items donated from people across the state, including some who had never met the family before but heard about their positive attitude and faith. The Metschkes have three children — Madison, Benson and Ansley.

“There’s no way to properly thank everybody, but I’m going to try and thank them anyway,” Nate said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This is really a big boost as we go in to get my scans, meet my surgeon, get a plan and then know what we have to do to execute this.”

Nate rang the victory bell in August of last year after beating colon cancer. This time, the cancer is in his liver. Darcy said family and faith has been key to continuing their positive outlook as Nate looks to win this battle as well.

“All of the prayers, we can definitely feel them,” she said.  “Please keep them coming because we can definitely use them.”

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The Neligh Public Library celebrated its Fall Family Fun Day on Saturday morning.  Among the activities were pumpkin carving, photo booth, face painting, games and more. Also on hand was author Alan Bartels reading "What's Going Down in Prairie Dog Town?" and the Nebraska Game And Parks Outdoor Activity Trailer. 

Fourteen Neligh-Oakdale music students have been selected to participate in the Hawkfest Honor Band and Choir at Northeast Community College.

Choir participants are Sadie Heckert and Trinity Kurpgeweit, sopranos; and Isiac Kerpgeweit, Cade Wilkinson and Ethan Gregory, tenors.

Band participants are Griffin Claussen and Jorden Fulsaas, flute; Emma Bixler and Dani Beyer, clarinet; Parker Tinsley, alto sax; Meredith Wiseman, tenor sax; Trey Svatos and Adan Schindler, trumpet; and Hailey Bixler, percussion.

The concert is Monday, October 22 at 5:30 p.m.

The mobile food pantry, sponsored by various churches, individuals, and businesses in Antelope County, will be dispersing food on Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the American Legion Club in Neligh. 

The goal is to provide free food to those whose needs are great and resources are limited without being restricted by income guidelines. Due to liability reasons, recipients will not be allowed in the building until 4 p.m.  Please remember to bring your own boxes.

One way to prevent fires and fire-related injuries is through education.

During Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13, our local fire departments are working to teach children the importance of fire safety. 

On Tuesday, the Neligh Fire Department gave firetruck rides to the preschool through second grade students, conducted firehall tours, presented safety talks and demonstrations and gave each child a fireman hat. 

The Neligh Fire Department quickly responded to a vehicle Friday early Monday afternoon at a residence on the east edge of town along Highway 275.

Smoke could be seen coming from under the hood of the Pontiac Grand Prix when firefighters arrived. The Neligh Police Department assisted in pulling the car away from the garage and home as the firefighters began extinguishing the fire. 

There were no injuries, and the fire did not reach the home thanks to the teamwork between the agencies. 

​No other information is available at this time. 

More than 300 area third and fourth graders will learn more about "Life on the Farm" this week. 

​4-H Extension Educator Tessa Hain is presenting "Life on the Farm," a program to teach 3rd and 4th graders where their food comes from and the role agriculture plays in our communities.

The first session is set from at 9 to 11:30 a.m. and the second one will run from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Hain said there are 324 students from five counties registered for the program.

Neligh-Oakdale elementary students showed off new moves on Friday during halftime of the Warriors' football game. The kindergarten through sixth-grade students learned the dance the previous week during a camp hosted by the high school dance team.

​The Neligh Volunteer Fire Department wants to remind everyone that Junior Fire Patrol begins this Sunday, and it is not just for Neligh-Oakdale students.  Cris Kurpgeweit, who is in charge of Neligh's Fire Education, said he hopes to see youth in grades 3-6 from across the county partipate 

Throughout the month of October, the Neligh Fire Department will host Junior Fire Patrol for students in grade third through sixth. The class will meet once a week on Sunday evenings from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Neligh Fire Hall. The first class is Sunday, Oct. 7. Parents are encouraged to bring their children a few minutes early to complete the free registration.

The weekly class will feature a variety of topics for students. During week one, students will learn more on the history of the fire department and get a tour of the station. Firefighter Jared Jacob said the classes will also touch on home emergency escape plans, smoke room escapes, 911 dispatch tours and much more.

“With October being fire prevention month, we just thought this would be another fun way to help teach kids fire safety,” Kurpgeweit said. “There are many similar programs being put on at other departments and we wanted to give kids a chance to enjoy the classes around here.”

For questions, contact Kurpgeweit at 402-929-0514 or Jared Jacob at 402-992-3190.

The Neligh-Oakdale band placed 3rd in Class D at the Harvest of Harmony Parade marching band competition on Saturday.

Osmond took first place and Alma was second. There were 49 bands in Class D and 96 total bands in the parade. 

"I am real proud of them," Director Nate Metschke said. "I'm very pleased with this, especially being down 10 kids today. They had a great season."

What's even more remarkable is that the band was able to achieve this feat with numerous underclassmen.

"It's unbelieveable to do this with 20 freshman," Metschke said.

Friends of the Nate and Darcy Metschke family of Neligh will host a free-will offering spaghetti feed and silent auction on Sunday, Oct. 14.

The benefit event will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Antelope County Ag Building in Neligh.

Proceeds will go toward assisting with expenses accrued as Mr. Metschke battles cancer for the second time.

For more information on how you can donate money, silent auction items or help at the benefit, go to the Nate Metschke Benefit Facebook Event.

The Warrior band is two for two this season, winning its second-straight marching band competition.

Neligh-Oakdale was crowned the Class D1 champion at the Wayne State Band Day Parade on Saturday. The band won Class D and was named the top overall band at the Lion's Club Parade in Norfolk the previous week. They are under the direction of Nate Metschke. 

Antelope Memorial Hospital would like to invite everyone to come to Ladies' Night Out.

The event will be held Wednesday, October 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include mammograms and refreshments. Everyone who has their mammogram during the month of October will receive a free pint glass.

Call 402.887.6269 to schedule your appointment today.

The Antelope County Club will host its annual fundraising golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 29.

The two-person scramble will begin with a  9 a.m. shot gun start. The entry fee is $100 per team. Call 402-887-5211 to register.

This will be a “clean the coolers” event with drink and food specials for the day. We are also working to bring in TV's to have a Husker party for the game following the tournament. A golf car raffle will be held with the winner drawn at halftime of the Husker game

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A civil case involving the Neligh Police Chief has been continued to allow him an opportunity to defend himself.

Ryan Knievel and Callie Kraft of Neligh, who both filed a petition and affidavit to obtain a harassment protection order against Chief Mike Wright, appeared for a show cause hearing in Antelope County District Court on Wednesday. The court records indicated both requests were filed on August 29.

Wright also appeared in district court, along with his attorney Ron Temple of Norfolk. 

Judge James Kube said he reviewed the allegations by Knievel and Kraft, stating he issued the harassment protection order, "but only on a temporary basis."

Temple, who was just retained as counsel this week, requested a 30-day continuance so he would have time to review the case and prepare a response.

Kraft stated, "I am 37 and a half weeks pregnant," as she objected to a continuance for the hearing.

Temple responded, "This includes allegations that are serious. We are marshaling evidence to prove they did not occur as alleged."

According to court records, Knievel and Kraft allege that Wright has been stalking and harassing them over the past year.

Defense attorney Ron Temple said his client “adamantly denies any wrongdoing” and he looks forward to refuting the allegations in the case.

“The judge even said that he granted (the protection order) by only hearing one side,” he said. “The continuance was warranted so the judge can hear evidence from both sides. We intend to vigorously defend this."

Judge Kube continued the case to October 31 at 11 a.m.

"These are serious accusations that you are bringing against a law enforcement officer," Kube said. "The order is still in force and effect. The hearing will determine whether it stays in full force or is dismissed."
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The Neligh-Oakdale band continues to march to the beat of its own drum, and the rhythm sounds like victory.

Saturday marked the first marching competition for most local bands, including Orchard and Clearwater, as they competed in the annual Lions Club Parade in Norfolk. For the third straight year, Neligh-Oakdale finished as the top overall band.

“You don’t ever go in expecting something like this to happen, but if it does, it’s really cool,” said director Nate Metschke. “All we can do is our best, and that’s what they did today. They were really serious and worked hard.”

Neligh-Oakdale has won the Class C division the previous five years and moved down to Class D this year due to a decrease in student enrollment. Despite more bands to compete against in Class D, the Warriors won that division as well, breaking a long-time tradition of Osmond winning Class D.

Metschke said the band wastes little time preparing for the marching season, especially since they kick it off with a performance at the Nebraska State Fair before Labor Day. The next performance is always homecoming, which fell early for the school on August 31.

“We go outside and march every day we can. There are a lot of days it’s hot, but the kids work hard anyway,” Metschke said. “We try to use the shade in front of Ray and Deb Branstitter’s house as a much as we can. The kids just work really hard every day.”

With 49 students in band, Metschke said the key has been balancing fun and hard work. He said they have a solid routine they follow every day with marching and playing, which the kids have bought into since Day 1.

With nearly every student involved in one of the three fall sports, Metschke said he takes game and meet days into consideration and shortens up the distances on those days.

“We make class enjoyable. You have to have fun but work hard to find success,” he said. “You have to have the right balance because if you just work hard and don’t have any fun, you’re not going to be successful.”

Next up for Neligh-Oakdale, Orchard and Clearwater bands will be the Wayne State College competition next Saturday. All of the Antelope County bands, including Elkhorn Valley, will then be at Harvest of Harmony in Grand Island on October 6.

Metschke said the Warrior band will be making a couple additions to their routine in the next week due to their involvement with Michael Klee, who has worked with the school’s drumline thanks to numerous grants through the Nebraska Arts Council.

Due to Klee’s busy schedule, he’ll only be working with Neligh-Oakdale through the grant program this year. Metschke said his seniors were in fifth grade when they started working with Klee.

“We’ve been blessed to work with Mr. Klee and give him credit for a special move we’re adding to our drumline,” Metschke said. “We’ll get that tuned up in the next couple of weeks and get that special dance move in there with some lyrics.”

Metschke said he’ll have his full band at Wayne State this weekend, but will be missing a handful at Grand Island due to a volleyball tournament. Last year, 14 were missing due to volleyball, and Neligh-Oakdale dropped from winning Class C to finishing fourth.

He said the Warrior band is looking forward to showing the community how much they’ve improved this season.

​“We’ll go down Main Street a couple more times this year, so people can see how we’ve improved. We’re a totally different band now than what we were at homecoming,” he said. “We have some really special kids. We’ve done a lot of sectional work, where the kids get into groups and teach each other. I’ve really relied on upperclassmen leadership.”