Pack up your parkas and fishing gear for the Royal Fire Department's 33rd Annual Ice Fishing Tournament.
The tournament will be postponed for January 17 at Grove Lake, three miles north of Royal. The entrance fee will be $30 for a two-man team. The fishing hours will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sign in will be at the north end of the lake. Calcutta will now be held Saturday, January 16th at the Royal Gym at 6:30 p.m. Barbecue and refreshments will be available with calcutta following. There will be cash awards and trophies for the top 8 teams, and trophies for the largest fish, oldest and youngest fisherman and the youngest girl. For more information contact: Gary Ober: 402-893-2880 Max Hieter: 402-893-4531 Butch's Body Shop: 402-893-4531 Royal One Stop 402-893-3861 A second passenger has died from injuries sustained in an accident near Royal two weeks ago in which a vehicle struck two cows.
Robert Meyer, 87 of Randolph, died Sunday at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He was transported from the Nov. 15 accident near the intersection of Hwy. 20 and 518th Avenue to Antelope Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Omaha. Meyer's funeral will be Friday, Dec. 4, at the United Methodist Church in Randolph at 10:30 a.m. According to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore, Marilyn Zwygart, 55 of rural Norfolk, was driving a 2012 Lincoln Navigator eastbound Nov. 15 when it struck two Black Angus cows, went out of control, entered the north ditch and then hit a large tree. Moore said a 911 call came in at 10:57 p.m. Her husband, Rodney Zwygart, was also killed in the accident. Passenger Randal Meyer, 64, was taken to Antelope Memorial Hospital and was also transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Moore said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and three of the four occupants were not wearing seat belts. The Orchard Jaws of Life was called to the scene, as were the Orchard Fire Department, Royal Fire Department, Midwest Medical Transport, Orchard Rescue, Plainview Rescue and Neligh Rescue. Moore said the cattle were owned by Cory Curtis of Royal. The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident with assistance from the Neligh Police Department. The name of the person killed in a one-vehicle accident near Royal on Sunday night has been released by the Antelope County Sheriff's Department.
Rodney G. Zwygart, 63, of rural Norfolk, died at the scene after the vehicle he was riding in struck two cows and hit a tree west of Royal, according to Sheriff Bob Moore. The sheriff said Zwygart was a front-seat passenger in a 2012 Lincoln Navigator, which was being driven by his wife, Marilyn Zwygart, 55. Moore said the driver was extricated from the vehicle and was transported with injuries to Alegent Health in Plainview. Two other passengers - Randal Meyer, 64, and Robert Meyer, 87, both of Randolph - sustained injuries and were transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. They were later transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Moore said a 911 call came in at 10:57 p.m. He said the vehicle was eastbound when it struck two Black Angus cows, went out of control, entered the north ditch and then hit a large tree near the intersection of Hwy. 20 and 518th Avenue. Moore said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and three of the four occupants were not wearing seat belts. The Orchard Jaws of Life was called to the scene, as were the Orchard Fire Department, Royal Fire Department, Midwest Medical Transport, Orchard Rescue, Plainview Rescue and Neligh Rescue. Moore said the cattle were owned by Cory Curtis of Royal. The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident with assistance from the Neligh Police Department. One person was killed late Sunday after the vehicle he was riding in struck two cows and hit a tree west of Royal.
According to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore, a male died at the scene of the accident near the intersection of Highway 20 and 518th Avenue. Two other males and a female were also injured in the accident. Two were transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and one was taken to CHI Health Plainview Hospital. Moore said their condition is unknown at this time. Moore said a 911 call came in at 10:57 p.m. He said the 2012 Lincoln Navigator was eastbound when it struck two cows, went out of control and then hit a tree. Moore said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and none of the occupants were wearing seat belts. The Orchard Jaws of Life was called to the scene, as were the Orchard Fire Department, Royal Fire Department, Midwest Medical Transport, Orchard Rescue, Plainview Rescue and Neligh Rescue. The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the accident. Names have not been released pending notification of family. The Royal Fireman will hold their annual pancake feed on Friday, Nov. 13.
The event will be held from 5 to 7:30 at the Royal Gym. There will be a free will donation for the event, proceeds will go towards a newer pumper. The Q125 Committee will be hosting a free outdoor movie in downtown Royal on September 19, approximately 9 p.m. or dark. People can bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an old fashioned black and white movie with the family. Everyone in the community is cordially invited.
Anyone who wishes to place newspaper articles, family histories, photos or anything else in the time capsule is asked to get them to Mary Williby, Gary Ober, or Terra Williby by the end of September. The Royal Q125 Committee would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the celebration. They say it would not have been possible without the tremendous donations and the people that pitched in to help. They would like to thank the following businesses and individuals. CVA, Helena Chemical, Butch's Body Shop, Royal One Stop, Curtis Auction, Curtis Ranch, Royal Roping Club, Gary and Diane Ober, Jeff and Lisa Macke, Brian and Kelli Martin, Williby Farms, Neil and Terra Williby, Chris and Mary Williby, Anthony and Andrea Williby, John and Jessica Shaver, Antelope County Sheriff's Office, Brunswick State Bank, Vesley Auction Service, David Pieke Family, Archie and Ardella Brandt, Royal Alumni Association, Royal Fire Department, Agriculture Services, J.E. Meuret Grain, Ashfall Fossil Beds, Brian and Lindsey Switzer, Orchard Young Men's Club, Producers Hybrids-Bodie Meyer and Cody Schacht, Pioneer-Dan Gadeken, Green Line Equipment, Hughes Construction, Bank of Orchard, Adamson Distributing, Pepsi, O&W Dairy, Brunswick Fire Department, Ferguson Agronomics, Bomgaars, Hurtig Well Service, Midwest Bank, North and Son Trucking, Bill and Helen Mitties, Robert Johnston, Terry and Trish Hemenway, Wayne Schwager, Jim and Lois Bright, Bob and Carol Schleusener, Aaron Schleusener, Austin Schleusener, Mike Michaelson, Mike and Pat Kenaston, Lynn Rader, Grove Lake Bait Shop, Larry and Cherylyn Hurtig, Bobwhite Quail Hunting Lodge, Mary Eley, Cooper Land and Cattle, Adams's Electric, Duane Christiensen, Jake and Taylor Johnston, Morrison Farms, Dawson Family, Paul Fisher, Ken Schwager, Jim Kilpatrick, Alan and Diane Colson, Tim Twibell, Antelope County, Christen Curtis, Jaiden Switzer, Sayer's Service, Dean and Krista Holliday, Duane Risinger, Todd Erb, Pastor Stuart Davis and Orchard Community Club. A few miles northeast of Royal lies a safe haven for rainbow trout. The beautiful grounds of Grove Trout Rearing Station have been attracting visitors for decades. "I think the big draw for most people is feeding the fish," said Fish Production Manager Steve Willhelm, "thats really a fascination for a lot of people." Wilhelm has been on the station since 1998 and has years of experience working with fish. "I've done it for long enough that I'm used to it, but I can see why it's interesting," Willhelm said, "They're so aggressive when you feed them. They come up and splash and get the kids wet." Grove has been raising fish here since 1961. It is owned and operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and is the state’s only facility strictly for trout rearing. Fish are fed a daily diet calculated for optimal growth, which often means feeding multiple times a day. Oxygen levels and water temperatures are monitored continuously, which requires technicians to live on site. According to Wilhelm, "They do best with water temperatures in the 50s, but they can survive water temperatures up into the 60s and even 70s, but they don't grow as well." The trout are hatched at Calamus State Fish Hatchery in Burwell and are transferred here at 3.5 inches long where they remain for at least six months. At ten inches long they are ready for stocking. "There's several streams that we stock in the Panhandle and around here. The East Verdigre Creek we stock on a regular basis," said Wilhelm. In the video, fish are being stocked from the cement raceways. A technique called crowding, pushes the fish to the far side. The fish are then netted weighed and loaded into the tank, which is located in the back of the truck. Each fish is counted and their average weight are calculated. Then the trout are ready to be released in the wild. The professionals at Grove not only have a unique career, but they love what they do. "I do like my job," Wilhelm said, "largely because I'm working outside. I have a hard time sitting inside." Working on a facility such as this is a rare opportunity that allows the technicians to pursue their love of fish. "It's hard to believe sometimes that you can get a job doing this," Willhelm said. Led Henery may only be a temporary fisheries technician at Grove, but his summer work experience has been a positive one. "I'd say what I like most about my job is being outdoors and getting to work with fish every single day," Henery said. He also appreciates the experienced men he works with. "I've got a great group of guys to work with out here," Henery said, "Steve and Joe have been on with the Game and Parks for 25-30 years and Dennis has been on this facility for 40 years alone." With it’s spring fed ponds and well groomed grounds, Grove is an attraction for many. Fish feeders are on site and for a quarter you can get a handful of food. Their facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m for visitors from school groups to families and even college professors. There’s nothing like watching a few hundred rainbow trout splashing for food in a crystal clear stream, so make sure you bring plenty of quarters. Randy Erb has been putting blade to wood for almost two decades, but not in the way you'd think. Since 1996, he has produced about 10,000 detailed wood carvings and sculptures. For years, his family ran the Grove Lake Bait Shop near Royal, which he took over in 1979. Running the shop and a full time job kept him busy, but he was ready for something different. Erb said that he had not always been creative; however, a trip to California inspired him to eventually leave his job in the concrete industry and take up chainsaw carving. "I saw a guy out there doing it and thought, well I can do that," he said. He returned to Nebraska, borrowed a saw and got to work, not knowing how far it would take him. Using only his chainsaw, he can carve a variety of landscaping or interior decoration pieces including animals and people as well as holiday items. They can come in all shapes and sizes from small wall hangings to totem poles.
"It's more oddball stuff, that no one else does," Erb said. What he loves about that is that each piece is different and poses a new challenge. A large project may take him a few days, but he can complete eight small carvings in a single day. All the carving takes places at the bait shop that he and his wife, Mary, still operate, located two and a half miles north of Royal. Through the use of his website, he has gained a wide range of customers. He has done carvings for individuals, organizations and even some for hotels. Erb said, "I don't have to do many shows anymore because I get so many orders over the internet." He does not believe that his talent for chainsaw carving was an accident. "I don't think you really pick anything up, it's a gift," he said. From News Partner US92
While many people visit Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park every year to see fossils, this weekend fossils from the outside will take center stage. The park’s annual Fossil and Artifact ID Day is set for this Saturday, August 8, which will give those interested the ability to bring out a potential fossil or artifact to be identified. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park Superintendent Rick Otto says Saturday’s event is a chance for people find out if the knick-knack or rock they have in their homes has a special story behind it. “We also have folks that may have a rock sitting in their garage and they’ve always been curious what it is and never had a chance to have it identified. This is an opportunity for this as well.” Otto says they’ve been doing ID Day for about 15 years, an event which they try to do once a year toward the end of the summer. Otto adds that over the years, they’ve seen everything from rare arrowheads to fossils from elephants and various pottery. “Sometimes we get to see unusual fossils that may be say, jawbones from prehistoric elephants, rhinos, and camels. It just covers a wide range of items.” The event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the park near Royal. Retired paleontologist Dr. Mike Voorhies and archaeologist Rob Bozell will set up and identify the items people bring to their tables. It’s a setup similar to the popular program ‘Antiques Roadshow’, with tables in front of the visitors center set up for the artifacts and fossils to be examined by Voorhies and Bozell. The family of Elaine Meyer of Royal requests a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on August 3, 2015. Elaine was born in 1925 and later married Charley Meyer. One child born to the union, Everett Meyer of Royal, who is married to Linda. Elaine has three grandchildren, Greg Meyer of Royal, Kimberly Meyer of Columbus, and Tori Krick and husband Michael of Tilden. She has two great-grandsons, Kolton and Brendan Krick of Tilden. Cards may be sent to her at 86789 519 Avenue, Royal, NE 68773. |
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