Stories

Addison Smith, an Seward High Senior, was selected the December Youth Rotarian of the Month and recognized and honored at the recent Seward Rotary Club noon luncheon meeting on Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 at the Jones Bank Auditorium.  Addison Smith is the daughter of Devin and Michelle Smith.  She was introduced by Rotarian Matt Dominy of the Seward Rotary Youth Rotarian Committee and she was presented a Rotary Club banner and information on Rotary and Rotary International.  

Seward Rotary Foundation Committee members, Jon and Bonnie Kruse and Annette Wallman presented the program on The Rotary Foundation-emphasizing the humanitarian good shared by the Foundation throughout the world at the weekly Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday, November 6 at noon, following the luncheon, fellowship and business meeting. The Rotary Foundation is known for fighting diseases around the world, teaching people to read, building peace, providing clean water and sanitation, growing local economies, saving mothers and children-and is most known for the worldwide elimination effort by the Rotary Foundation to eliminate Polio. 

Emily O’Kief, an Seward High Senior, was selected the November Youth Rotarian of the Month and recognized and honored at the recent Seward Rotary Club noon luncheon meeting on Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 at the Jones Bank Auditorium.  Emily is the daughter of Stacey and John O’Kief.  She was introduced by Rotarian Phil Bangert of the Seward Rotary Youth Rotarian Committee and she was presented a Rotary Club banner and information on Rotary and Rotary International.  

The Seward Rotary Club held their weekly meeting in a different location on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, holding the meeting at the new Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business educational building on the Concordia University campus.  A special boxed luncheon, and short Rotary Club business meeting preceded the presentation and tour of the Dunklau Center, conducted by Seward Rotary President Kurth Brashear. Brashear welcomed the members to the newest facility on the CU campus and introduced Seward Rotarian Dr. Brian Friedrich, the President of Concordia University, who echoed the welcome and spoke briefly on the facility.  He introduced the program presenter- Dr. Rob Hermann, Professor of Physics and Chair of the Natural Resources Department at Concordia University, who was the CU Faculty Liaison for the facility design and planning process of the Dunklau Center.

SHS Sophomore, Alivia Hartmann was selected the annual HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leader) through an application and interview process on Wednesday, October 29^th at the Seward High School Library/Media Center.  She is the daughter of Christina Minarik and Zac Hartmann.  First Runner-up/First Alternate was Keegan Beisel.

The Seward Rotary Club donated dictionaries to the area Third Grade Students at Seward Elementary, Our Redeemer Lutheran in Staplehurst, St. Paul Lutheran School in Utica, Utica Centennial Schools, and St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School.  Each student in the Third Grade received a student dictionary and encouraged to save it and use it in future years as well.  The Rotarians spoke on the many benefits of the dictionary and showed the students all the extra features of the dictionary that were given to the students to keep and take home at the end of the school year.   Extra dictionaries were also donated to give to new arrivals in each classroom. Note: St. John Lutheran 3^rdGrade received their dictionaries from a memorial from Esther and Truman Prange Memorial from the Prange family.  

In spite of the nippy and brisk fall evening, the Seward Band shell was full of families and children in Halloween Costumes for the annual Seward Rotary Club’s Halloween Children’s Costume Contest. The contest was held on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:00 pm and was free and open to all children in the area at the historic Seward Band shell.  Divided by age groups, students were asked to go to the band shell stage in their Halloween Costume and be judged for prizes.  

Dylan Teut, Executive Director of the Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival at Concordia University in Seward, presented a complete 2019 festival report to the Seward Rotary Club at their recent Oct. 2, 2019 meeting at noon at the Jones Bank auditorium.  The presentation was preceded by a noon luncheon, a business meeting and introductions.  Teut was introduced by Seward Rotarian of the Month and co-program chair John Owens of Seward. Dr. Brian Friderich is the co-chair of the October Rotary Club programs. 

Concordia University professor Tobin Beck told Seward Rotarians on Wednesday that as we remember those whose lives were taken in the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, we also should consider those who are risking their lives now to try to promote peace and understanding among people of the world.

A special delegation from the Seward Rotary Club and Seward area attended the recent York Rotary Club Centennial Celebration Gala at the York Holthus Center.  Attending from Seward Rotary were Seward Rotary Past Presidents Russ Sommerfeld and Ken Schmieding, along with State Senator Mark Kolterman of Seward and Jessica Kolterman, also a Rotarian from Lincoln South Rotary.  

Russ was introduced and spoke on the connection between the two clubs, as the York Rotary Club was the official sponsor of the Seward Rotary Club in 1925!  He presented a ceremonial tree to the York Rotary Club with the pledge of a special ceremonial tree to be planted in one of the appropriate York City parks.

Amber Fiala, the principal of St. John Lutheran School in Seward, was the featured program for the weekly meeting of the Seward Rotary Club on Wednesday, March 6 at noon following their luncheon, fellowship and brief business meeting.  She was introduced by Rotarian Kurth Brashear, who serves as the March Program Chair for the Rotary Club.  Mrs. Fiala is in the middle of her fifth year at St. John Lutheran School and  shared a power point presentation on St. John Lutheran School and spoke on the various programs and activities at St. John’s.

SHS Senior, Caleb Meyer of Seward is the Seward Rotary Club’s February Youth Rotarian of the Month. He is the son of Rev. Michael and Stacey Meyer.  He was recognized and honored at the weekly Rotary Club’s noon luncheon meeting.  He was introduced, presented with a packet of materials on Seward and Rotary International and a Rotary Club banner.  Caleb was presented with a Rotary Club scholarship for books next year and is now a finalist for the Seward Rotary Club’s annual Youth Rotarian of the Year.

Chris Blanke, RN, of the Four Corners Health Department in York, presented a program to the Seward Rotary Club on “Suicide Awareness and Prevention” at their weekly meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at noon at the Jones Bank Auditorium.  A luncheon, fellowship, and short business meeting preceded the program.  She was presented to the membership by Clark Kolterman, local program chair for January.  Her presentation featured a power point titled “Nebraska Loss Teams-Surviving Suicide,” prepared by Dr. Dan Belau.  She thanked the Seward Rotary Club for their interest in the topic of suicide and willingness to learn more on the subject, encouraging the members to “Be Part of the Solution!”

Seward High Senior, Rebekah (Bekah) Klenke of Malcolm was named the January Youth Rotarian of the Month by the Seward Rotary Club at their weekly membership meeting at the Jones Bank auditorium. A luncheon, fellowship and brief business meeting preceded the program.  At the business meeting Rotarian Dr. Matt Dominy introduce Rebekah Klenke and spoke on her scholarship, leadership and service to others.  She is the daughter of Tim and Kelly Klenke of rural Malcolm.  

Seward Rotary Club member, Dr. Matt Dominy, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development for the School District of Seward was the program for the weekly Seward Rotary Club meeting on January 16, 2019 at the Jones Bank auditorium.  A luncheon, fellowship and short business meeting preceded the presentation.  Dr. Dominy was introduced by the Rotary Program Chair for January, Kevin Zadina.  He presented a power point presentation on the School District of Seward’s Strategic Plan process, the NSCAS Data Results, the ACT Data Results and the AQuESTT Ratings for the School District of Seward.

Senator Mark Kolterman of Seward, the Nebraska State Senator representing District 24, was the featured program at the January 2, 2019 Seward Rotary meeting. His twin brother, Clark Kolterman, with program co-chair Kevin Zadina, introduced him to the Rotary membership. 

Kolterman was reelected in November to his second four year term in the Nebraska Legislature. The legislative session begins January 9^th and goes through mid-June of 2019.  Currently, Senator Kolterman serves on the Health and Human Services Committee (HHS), the Banking, Commerce and Insurance 

Committee (BCI), the Committee on Committees Committee and chairs the Retirement Committee. These assignments may change as he is seeking to move from the HHS Committee to the Appropriations Committee this upcoming session.

Property taxes, education, Medicaid and prison reform are the top four legislative issues Kolterman expects to see in 2019. 

Kolterman believes that property tax is in need of reform because the agriculture sector is paying an inappropriate amount of the property taxes.  He believes the Legislature also needs to examine ways to revamp education funding to seek a more equitable way to distribute state funds.  He noted that another major challenge will be the funding of Medicaid expansion enacted by voters in 2018. The expansion is expected to require an estimated increase of $20 to $80 million in funding due to the additional people qualifying for coverage.  This will affect the State of Nebraska’s budget tremendously.  He noted Nebraska’s state budget is currently running about $95 million short. He commented that the state’s economy is directly related to the Ag economy and commented on the current Advantage Act and the implications of the act.

“We have the ability to work together to accomplish our goals,” stated Senator Kolterman, “and I hope we can do just that - get to work and cooperate!” 

Kolterman feels the thousands of specific tax exemptions needs to be reviewed and revised because the exemption list is too long. He addressed imperfections related to the current assessment and earmarks of fines and fees. He stressed the difficulty in raising fees and cited several examples of attempts to raise fees that did not generate the intended change. 

The final major thrust will be reforming correctional services in the State of Nebraska while maintaining overall public safety.  Prison overcrowding has become a major issue over the past few years and needs to be addressed before the situation becomes critical.  

He was most proud of his work with the NeHii program – Nebraska Health Information Initiative – and detailed the specifics on this health communication effort, created by a group of organizations working together to make it a reality. Because of NeHii, they can now successfully relay and communicate health care information and drug record information for patients across Nebraska in one common form of communication.

Senator Kolterman has prepared 20 bills for the approaching legislative year, and he hopes to co-sponsor many others. One of his priority retirement bills calls for a study to examine transferring management of the Omaha School Employees Retirement System to the Public Employees Retirement Board that administers all the other state-wide retirement systems.  The Omaha School Plan turned their retirement system investments over to the Nebraska Investment Council system to manage in 2017.  The Council invests all all the state-wide pension funds. The statewide School Employees Retirement Plan is currently funded 89% and OPS the Omaha School Plan is currently funded at 64%.

The relationship with the education circles is very important to Senator Kolterman, as he is very pro-education. He discussed his legislation from 3 years ago, promoting equality between the private colleges and public universities and feels that the Nebraska student attending any college in Nebraska should have similar funds available to them.

Kolterman stressed that he believes the real challenge is the rural vs the urban lifestyles and shared some of the difficulties in making changes in the government at the State level.

Senator Kolterman serves Seward, York and Polk counties, and concluded his speech by commenting on 

some funny happenings and situations in dealing with his constituents of the 24^th District.  He encourages communication with his constituents and suggested they call his office at 402-471-2756, or email him at mkolterman@leg.ne.gov or write him at Senator Mark Kolterman, District 24, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509.  

The meeting concluded with questions and answers by Senator Kolterman.

Joel Endorf, who is employed with Marla Bellitz Johnson CPA firm, presented the program at the recent Seward Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at noon at the Jones Bank and Trust Company auditorium.  Marla Johnson was Rotarian of the month and introduced her program “2017 Tax Cuts and How the New Tax Law will Affect You!”  The presentation was presented by Joel Endorf, complete with a power point presentation.

He noted that this is the biggest code change since the Reagan years and become effective December 31^st.  Most changes are temporary and will “sunset” after 2025!  Also, most preparers are looking for guidance with the codes and that guidance is delayed, which makes even more tax preparation issues. 

He noted that experts warn that tax preparation could take up to 30% more time to prepare tax returns because of the new codes and changed forms.  

Endorf also stated that 85% of the applicants will/should see a decrease in total liability, 10% will remain the same and 5% will see more liability.  He reminded the Rotarians that a decreased liability doesn’t mean a larger refund.

Billed as a true community effort, the annual “Stuff the Cruiser” toy collection campaign and distribution of Christmas gifts to area children was again labeled a success by the event sponsors; the Seward Rotary Club, Concordia University Rotaract Club and City of Seward Police Department.  The collected toys were distributed in a celebration including individual shopping opportunities by the children’s guardians and parents at the Civic Center on Saturday, December 15th, hosted by the Seward Rotary Club, Concordia University Rotaract Club and Seward Police Department.  Over 100 area children were presented gifts and toys through this holiday program.

The December Youth Rotarian of the Month is Jax O. Johnson, a senior at Seward High School. He was honored at the annual Seward Rotary Pastor’s Day celebration on Wednesday, November 12 at noon at the Jones Bank and Trust Co. auditorium at a special luncheon meeting.  He is the son of Brady and Jill Johnson of Seward.

Jax is on target to graduate from SHS in May and is a member of the SHS Quiz Bowl team, a leader in the SHS Skills USA organization, competing at the state level in the Video Production competition as well as the Firefighting competition. He is active in the SHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club in the high school, and represented SHS in many FBLA contests at the State Competition.   He participated in the local SHS VFW Voice of Democracy Speech Contest as a sophomore, and was a participant in the local Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation contest at the high school.  He also participated for three years in the State Fair Education Division competitions including quiz bowl and the various educational tests.

Seward High Seniors, Jax Johnson and Cayden Glandt both enlisted in the US Army National Guard their junior year of high school and attended basic training the summer of 2018.  They were the featured program at the October 3, 2018 Seward Rotary Club meeting held at the Jones National Bank and Trust Company Auditorium at their noon hour meeting. A lunch, fellowship and short business meeting preceded the program.  Jax is the son of Brady and Jill Johnson, and Cayden is the son of Kip and Stephanie Glandt – all of Seward.  Sergeant First Class Roberto Vega, of the Nebraska National Guard was also a guest.  He was one of the recruiters for the Nebraska National Guard who assisted and guided the students in the application process.

SHS Senior, Sarah Bujarski, was named the Seward Youth Rotarian at the Wednesday, Oct. 3^rd, 2018 Seward Rotary Club meeting held during a noon luncheon at the auditorium of the Jones National Bank and Trust Company in Seward.  Sarah is the daughter of Sachie Bujarski and Jeff Bujarski.  She was introduced by Rotarian Clark Kolterman, who is a member of the local selection committee and she was introduced to the membership, presented a book scholarship, a Rotary banner and mementos and information on Rotary International.

Seward Rotary Club and Jones National Bank & Trust partnered together this summer to raise $1,000 in support of Lincoln East Rotary's Zambia Global Project. 

The annual Seward Rotary Halloween Costume Contest for Children is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 at 6:00 at the Seward Band shell.  The event is free and open to all children ages 0 through 12.  

Free bags of candy will be available to all participating contestants.  Special medallions will be awarded to the top three in each age division and a grand prize trophy will be awarded to the top contestant.

The annual event will be emceed by the Seward Rotary project chairman, Dr. Ron Wallman, assisted by Seward Rotarians and their families.  Members of the Seward Rotary Club will serve as Judges for the event and hosts for the bags of candy “give away!”  

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Seward Civic Center auditorium.  Local members of the Seward Rotary Club will serve as hosts for the event, as well as judges.  No preregistration is required-just be on time for the contest!

For more information visit the Seward Rotary Club Facebook.  The current President of the Seward Rotary Club is Todd LaVelle of Seward.  The Rotary District theme for this club year is “Be the Inspiration!’

The Four Corner’s Health Department was the featured program at the recent Seward Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday, September 5^th, 2018 at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium in Seward.  A luncheon meal, fellowship and brief Seward Rotary Club business meeting conducted by Seward Rotary President Todd La Velle, preceded the program.  The program was presented by Chris Blanke-RN PHN, who serves as the community coordinator for the Four Corner’s office.  She was introduced by Rotary Program Chairman, Jane Rehmer-local Rotarian and Executive Director of the Seward Memorial Health Care Foundation. 

The mission of the Four Corner’s Health Department

The September Youth Rotarian of the Month from SHS is Kayla Luebbe, SHS Senior-the daughter of Ryan and Sarah Luebbe of Bee, Nebraska.  She was honored on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the weekly noon luncheon meeting of the Seward Rotary Club held at the Jones National Bank and Trust Company Auditorium.  Rotarian Matt Dominy, a member of the Youth Rotarian of the Month Committee, introduced Kayla and presented her qualifications and background that assisted the committee’s selection of her for the award.

The Seward Rotary Club hosted the District Governor of Rotary District 5565 – Governor Julie O’Hara of Shenandoah, Iowa.  She met with the Seward Rotary Club Board of Directors in a meeting in the board room of the Jones National Bank and Trust prior to the meeting of the general membership.  

At the noon hour luncheon, fellowship, a meal and program preceded the introduction and address of the Rotary District Governor O’Hara.  The theme for her Rotary year is “Be the Inspiration.” 

She presented her background and personal history of her Rotary experience and outlined the theme of the International year for Rotary.  

Governor O’Hara complimented the Seward Club on their outstanding level of community service and encouraged them to continue to live the motto of Rotary International-“Service Above Self!”

She directed the Rotary Club of Seward to follow the work of the District and pointed the membership for details on the various projects at the District website for Rotary District 5565.

The Seward Club presented her with mementos and information on Seward and the Seward Rotary, along with some special Seward gifts.  Questions and answers followed her presentation.

Governor Julie O’Hara presented a special banner to Seward Rotary President Todd LaVelle proclaiming the club year and logo “Be the Inspiration!”

The Seward Rotary Club welcomed the new Seward High School International Students from Germany and Italy.  The students are Silvie Opolka from Hanover, Germany and Matilde Ferrari from Milan, Italy. The girls were introduced to the membership of Rotary by SHS Vice-Principal and Rotary member Jill Johnson and welcomed to Seward by Rotarian Clark Kolterman.  The students are both living with the Steve and Beth Hass family in Seward and will be here through the school year.

Silvie Opolka from Hanover, Germany is 16 years old and involved in the local SHS 

cross country program. Matilde Ferrari from Milan, Italy is 17 years old and participating in the SHS volleyball program. The girls are also both involved in regular class schedules at SHS as well.

The Seward Rotary Club welcomed the high school students, and presented them with some Rotary Club mementos as well as American flags, special Seward and Nebraska pins, some Seward popcorn and information on Seward and Seward Rotary.

Both of the students volunteered to return in May and report on their year in Seward, and give a presentation on their home and the impact of their program experience in Seward.

Jane Polson, the Executive Director of Keep Nebraska Beautiful, was the featured program at the recent Seward Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at noon at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium in Seward.  A luncheon, fellowship and business meeting preceded the presentation.  The program featured Jane Polson, with a power point presentation on ”A Vision for Reducing Food Waste!”

The August Youth Rotarian of the Month from SHS is Ryan Wall, SHS Senior-the son of Robert and Lori Wall of Seward.  He was honored on Wednesday, August 22^nd, 2018 at the weekly noon luncheon meeting of the Seward Rotary Club held at the Jones National Bank and Trust Company Auditorium.  Rotarian Matt Dominy, a member of the Youth Rotarian of the Month Committee, introduced Ryan and presented his qualifications and background that helped the committee select him for the award.

Ryan is one of the academic

The Seward Rotary Club was presented the “Best Award for Youth Services Project” for a medium sized club by the Rotary District 5650 (Eastern Nebraska/Southwest Iowa) for the Club’s annual and successful “Stuff the Cruiser” project in the partnership with the Seward Police Department.  The Club previously won this award in 2009.  

The award, was presented at the July 27-28 District Conference in Lincoln to Seward Rotary Club 2017-2018 President Russ Sommerfeld by District 5650 outgoing Governor Dr. Tom Cardwell of Lincoln.  The award was shared with the club membership at the following August 1, weekly luncheon meeting.

The program for the Seward Rotary Club’s noon luncheon on Wednesday, August 08, 2018 at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium was introduced by Rotarian Rev. Lyle Schoen, who introduced the leadership of “Mourning Hope” Grief Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The grief center is one of 100 in the US and one of two in Nebraska.  Presenting the program were Sandi Fabry- the Community Outreach Coordinator for Lincoln’s Mourning Hope Grief Center and Kate Holman, the Advancement Chair for the Mourning Hope Grief Center.

A power point presentation featured the background of the Mourning Hope Grief Center, serving children, teens, young adults and families who have lost a significant member of their family.  The emphasis is supporting grieving children in the greater Lincoln area.  

The grief center was founded in 1994 and the closest out of state grief center is “Judy’s House” in Denver.  They shared statistics on death and families and the range of problems.  

They spoke on ways to help grieving children.  Services include group work, with a ten week program for family grief service, a six week family grief service and four week grief program for adult grief.  School support includes an eight week peer support group and grief kits.

The center offers special events and holiday activities, a resource library, grief resources and community training of volunteers.  

No fees are charged for the services and funding comes from individual and corporate donations, foundations, and the United Way!

The educational approach is based on the teachings and philosophy centered around Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who is one of the foremost authorities in the US on managing grief and death education.

The Mourning Hope Grief Center is located next to Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln at 4919 Baldwin Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504, phone 402-488-8989. They can be contacted at hope@mourninghope.org.

Questions and answers followed as the program concluded.

Dixie Zabka, longtime, dedicated community volunteer and business woman, was selected the 2018 “Service Above Self” awardee for the annual Seward Rotary Club’s annual “Service Celebration” on May 5^th, 2018 at the Seward County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion.  The award is presented to an individual in the community who has lived a life of community service and is not a member of Rotary.  Along with the Seward Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” award, she will be presented with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow award-as $1000 has been donated in her name to the Rotary International Foundation to assist in eliminating Polio, and assist with other projects of Rotary International.  Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International.   She was selected through nomination and a vote of the Seward Rotary Club.

The recipient of the annual “Wayne Tanderup Award” will be presented to Dave Ficke of Seward-the owner of the Baby Boomers Motorcycles.  The Wayne Tanderup award is annually presented to a member of the community who exemplifies the perseverance to overcome hardship and/or disability to be a successful and contributing member of the community.  The late Wayne Tanderup overcame the battle of Polio at an early age and became a successful businessman and devoted family man as well.   To honor his longtime service to the Seward Rotary Club, this award was established.  He was selected through nomination and a vote of the Seward Rotary Club.

The annual Rotary Service Celebration Banquet will be Saturday, May 5 at the Ag Pavilion beginning at 5:30 and include a social hour, Windsor Loin Dinner, Awards Presentations, Speaker –UNL National Champion Volleyball Coach John Cook, and a Live and Silent Auction to assist with the funding of local projects of the Seward Rotary Club, as well as the support of Rotary’s International effort to eliminate Polio worldwide.

Tickets to the Rotary Service Celebration dinner and program are $30 each and can be purchased at the Jones National Bank and Trust and from any member Rotary, or online at www.sewardrotary.org.  Tables of eight are sold for $300 and include extra benefits.  Questions can be directed to Clark Kolterman at clark.kolterman@sewardschools.org or call 402-641-8522 and he can direct you to the correct committee chairman for the event.    Event Chair is Rotarian Todd LaVelle and Russ Sommerfeld is the President of the Seward Rotary Club

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change-across the globe, locally and among themselves.  The Seward Rotary is one of 35,000 clubs around the world.

Governor Pete Ricketts spoke at the recent Seward Rotary Club meeting and the local Seward Rotary had the opportunity to present him with three of Ted Kooser’s most recent autographed books - Wheeling Year, Bell in the Bridge, At Home, all written and signed by Ted Kooser. The Rotary Club donated the books and asked that they be placed in the Governor’s Mansion, in the Nebraska Author’s Guest room library. The Rotary is involved in a host of literacy activities and the Kooser books help promote the theme. The Governor was reminded Seward is the home of the world famous Concordia University Plum Creek Children’s Festival and the community works hard to promote literacy at all levels. The books, from Chapter’s Books and Gifts in Seward that were presented are some of Kooser’s newest presentations including…   The Rotary Club also presented him with local wines, promoting Red Path Gallery and Junto specifically for the Governor and First Lady Suzanne.

Nicodemus, an official Comfort Dog sponsored/hosted by the Rock Lutheran Church in Seward was the featured program at the Seward Rotary Club noon luncheon meeting at the Jones National Bank and Trust on Wednesday, February 07, 2018.  He was accompanied by his “assistants” Danna Seevers and Randy Newsome of Seward.  

Danna Seevers presented the program on the Comfort Dog Ministry and her experiences with the program, assisted by Randy Newsome.    

Nicodemus is a trained LCC K-9 Comfort Dog at the Rock Lutheran Church in Seward.  He interacts with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations.  Nicodemus is a friend who brings a calming influence and allows people to open up their hearts and receive help for what is affecting them. 

Seevers spoke on her recent travels with Nicodemus on behalf of Lutheran Church Charities to Las Vegas.  She worked with a host of people in a variety of situations surrounding the latest shooting in Las Vegas.  She shared a power point presentation on her trip with Nicodemus to Las Vegas, featuring the people she worked with while in Nevada.

Questions and answers followed the presentation.

The Stuffed Seward Cruiser-full of Christmas Toys is “Un-stuffed” for the Seward Area Children for 2017!

The motto of Rotary International is “Service Above Self” and that happened this last week-end in Seward with the annual “Stuff the Cruiser” Campaign, as hundreds of toys were distributed to area needy families in the annual toy drive.

The annual Seward Rotary Club’s Breakfast with Santa was a success, with almost 100 in attendance for the holiday festivities at the Seward Civic Center.  The Seward Rotary Club hosted the area residents with a breakfast of donuts, fruit, candy, juice and milk.  They were assisted by members of the Seward High Family Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA).  

Featured entertainment was “Mr. Magic” Andrew Malan of Seward with a magic act and group singing.    

Many prizes were shared through a drawing for all present and the high light of the event was a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.  Guests with December birthdays were also recognized and honored with gifts from the Seward Rotary Club and FCCLA.

Seward Rotary Club’s Annual Holiday Home Lighting Awards Announced The Dam Family, Reif Family and Rumery Family Win The Top Awards for 2017

This week's program will be presented by Mark Anschutz, Managing Artist of The Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia. Mark will talk about the unique work of the Center, which was featured on the 10/11 News "Our Town Seward" feature this past summer.

As always, the public is welcome to join us. See you at noon on Wednesday!

The 42nd annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 9:00 am. This holiday tradition, which is open to all at a cost of $1 per person, includes donuts, juice and milk, entertainment, door prizes, carol singing, and, of course, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Breakfast with Santa is co-sponsored by the Seward Rotary Club and members of the Seward High School FCCLA.

The Seward Rotary Club hosted their annual Family Day at the Museum, featuring events and activities geared towards the entire family to share at the Seward County Museum in Goehner-open to the public from 2:00 to 4:00 on Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Featured activities included tours of all the buildings on the grounds-all five buildings, free mini train rides on the local train- a one inch scale Chippewa Northern Railroad, a paper scavenger hunt in the main museum for the children and free cake and ice cream in the museum’s meeting room, hosted by local Rotarians.

Free Frisbees were distributed to the children, while supplies lasted.  

The Rotary Family hosts at the ice cream social were Jon and Bonnie Kruse and Russ and Nino Sommerfeld to all who attended the event.

The Seward County museum is open to the public on Thursdays from 10-5:00 and Sunday’s from 1:30 to 5:00 May through October, and is also open Monday through Friday when the curator is at the museum and the welcome flag is flying.  Contact the museum at 402-523-4025 or visit the museum on Facebook.

The Rotary Club of Seward was pleased to welcome Baki Terzic of Zurich, Switzerland to Rotary this week. Baki is an exchange student studying at Seward High School this year. Pictured with Baki are Jill Johnson, Club President Russ Sommerfeld, and Rotarian Brady Johnson. Jill and Brady's family is hosting Baki this year. 

We look forward to Baki returning this spring and sharing with the club more about Switzerland and her reactions to her year in our community. Welcome, Baki!