New Christmas Light Display Honors The Late Bruce Hild

In the heart of Neligh, a new Christmas display shines brightly in honor of a man who often displayed a big heart toward the community. 

The new addition to the Antelope County Courthouse lights can be seen from Hwy 275 right beside the popular 13-car train in front of the courthouse that was donated by Bruce and Cindy Hild. This year, a pink pig stands next to the large display honoring the late Bruce Hild, who died unexpectedly last January. 

Jeri Anderson, an officer on the Neligh Chamber of Commerce and longtime business owner in Neligh, said the addition is special to the community.
 
“We’re getting a plaque that says, 'Donated in the memory of Bruce Hild,' because he was very instrumental in this community," Anderson said.
 
She said the pink pig is a perfect pick for honoring Hild, who was a life-time hog producer. 
 
“His license plate on his pickup said 'PIGS,' and he was always on the phone selling and buying pigs. That was his life; that was his nickname  So that’s what we decided to get," she said.
 
Hild was a long-time community leader who served on the Antelope County Healthcare Foundation, the Neligh-Oakdale Board of Education and was active with the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, among other community involvement. 
 
“Bruce and Cindy Hild are very instrumental in the community. All the years he was alive, he was involved in every community thing there was. He was there to help out,” Anderson said. “Anytime somebody needed help, he was there to help.”