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Washington County athletes compete in State Track and Field Championships

Blair Community Schools, Fort Calhoun, News and Feature, School events and activities

Blair, Fort Calhoun and Arlington track teams qualified 27 athletes for State Track and Field Championship competition at Omaha Burke Stadium on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. Fort Calhoun runners Zack Marshall and Taya Skelton earned state track gold. Arlington freshman Kailynn Gubbels and junior Milee Young each took home two state medals.

Fort Calhoun senior Zack Marshall, left, races Norris’ Ashton Hausmann to the finish line of t

Arlington’s Kailynn Gubbels runs the 100-meter hurdles at Omaha Burke Stadium

Fort Calhoun’s Avery McKennan runs the 3,200-meter run at Omaha Burke Stadium

Taya Skelton of fort Calhoun celebrates her state title win in the 3,200-meter run Friday at Omaha Burke Stadium

Blair senior Evan Slominski competes in the pole vault at Omaha Burke Stadium

Blair senior Ethan Rowe runs the 300-meter hurdles at Omaha Burke Stadium

Blair’s Adam Brehm finishes his 200-meter dash prelim at Omaha Burke Stadium

BlairÕs Grace Galbraith competes in the pole vault

ArlingtonÕs Sam Kubat, right, runs just ahead of BlairÕs Ethan Funk.

Fort Calhoun’s Jacob, left, and Ben Haggar, right run the 400-meter dash at Omaha Burke Stadium

Arlington freshman Kailynn Gubbels, middle, runs the 300-meter hurdle prelims at Omaha Burke Stadium

Tessa, right and Taya skelton embrace after Taya won the 3,200 meter run at Omaha Burke Stadium

Fort Calhoun’s Taya Skelton gets a hug from her mother, Cindy, at Omaha Burke Stadium

Fort Calhoun seniors Taya Skelton, left, and Avery McKennan meet at the finish line of the 3200-meter run at Omaha Burke Stadium

Fort Atkinson Living History Days

Fort Calhoun, Nebraska State Parks, Travel

On the first weekend of each month from May until October, visitors to Fort Atkinson Historical Park near Fort Calhoun can experience how life might have been lived at the first U.S. military post west of the Missouri River. The fort was established in 1820 and was active until 1827.

Pam Veach-Davis finger weaves a tumpline that would be attached at both ends of a back, luggage, or bedroll. Vech portrays the wife of the post trader.

Sergeant of the Guard Stephen Baker inspects rifle brigade members from left Andrew Gahagen, Liam Baker, Isac Baker, Caleb Baker and Ben Godfrey. Fort Atkinson Living History.

Re enactor John Mathrole watches as Owen Artz holds a 72 caliber flintlock pistol.

Constantine Hansen throws an Indian spear or dart using an Atlal. The atlal which is essentially a stick which is used as a lever to propel the spear. The device predates the bow and arrow.

From left, Doug Kuony portraying Indian sub-agent John Doughert and Dave Blakeslee portraying an itinerate musician perform tunes appropriate to he 1820 time period.

Rifle regiment conducts manual of arms drill on the parade ground at Fort Sunday. The manual of arms is instruction in the handling and use of weapons in formation.

Fort Calhoun graduates ready to pursue success

Fort Calhoun, School events and activities

During her commencement address, salutatorian Avery McKennan told her classmates, “ The real world is ahead of us, but I know that our class is full of individuals ready to pursue their own successful futures.” Congratulations to the Fort Calhoun class of 2019 and best wishes in your pursuit of success.

Shelby Alstadt and Courtney Baxter lead the procession of graduating seniors.

Hannah Conklin receives her diploma from school board president Jon Genoways.

Molly Penas, Riley Mitchell and the Concert Choir perform one last song together at Fort Calhoun graduation.

Fort Calhoun graduation 1

Valedictorians from left Zoe Fickbohm, Avery McKennan, and Taya Skelton.

Principal Jerry Green greets Salutatorian Julie Klemm.

Turning tassels Caleb Steiner, Nicholas Smith, Taya Skelton, and Megan Rupp and classmates turn their tassels.

Future is bright for the Fort Calhoun Graduates of 2019.

Crane migration nears peak along Platte

Nature and Landscape, Travel

Row Sanctuary reported Thursday that the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River between Grand Island and Kearney is at or near its peak this weekend. Estimates are that 680,000 cranes – plus or minus 70,000 are roosting on the river.

While the waterfowl may be enjoying the weather, the extremely wet conditions have restricted access to visitors – sometimes referred to as “craniacs” who are looking to view the spectacle.

Last Saturday night and Sunday, viewing experiences were cancelled due to vehicles getting stuck in the mud along Elm Island road which is the only access to the refuge. Reports are that the road east of the refuge is now open, but possibly problematic for some two-wheel drive vehicles. The refuge is offering refunds to those who are not able to get to the refuge due to road conditions.

Prairie chickens dance at Switzer Ranch

Nature and Landscape, Travel

In making my reservation for the Audubon Crane Fest this year I signed up for the Calamus Outfitters Prairie Chicken Tour on the Switzer Ranch at Calamus, NE. On a gray morning my tour companions and I boarded an old school bus to travel to the prairie chicken lek, or “booming grounds.” We sat quietly in the converted school bus blinds listening to the sounds of the prairie coming to life on this grey morning.

As the scene slightly brightened, a couple dozen male greater prairie chickens not very gracefully flew into the lek or mating area. The booming and calling commenced as rival birds strutted and challenged to establish dominance. As two and then three hens arrived the activity increased as the males danced, boomed and strutted in a frenzy to gain the attention of the females.

All in all I highly recommend a stay at Calamus Outfitters and tours to the prairie chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse leks.

Male Prairie Chickens challenge each other to establish dominance.

Prairie Chickens strut and dance on a lek or mating area at Calamus Outfitters near Calamus, NE.

A male prairie chicken makes use of the bellows-like orange patches on his neck to create a booming sound to entice a hen.

Prairie Chickens strut and dance to get the attention of a passing female.

People walking with bus blinds in background

Tour members return from old busses converted to blinds in the background for the return bus ride to Calamus Outfitters

Sandhill crane migration

Nature and Landscape, Weather

Harsh weather throughout Nebraska has made conditions along the Platte river between Grand Island and Kearney less than ideal for both cranes and humans who flock to see them.

Sandhill Cranes leave the Platte River before sunrise by the light of the worm moon near Gibbon, Nebraska.

Sandhill Cranes leave the Platte River at sunrise near Gibbon, Nebraska.

Sandhill Cranes roost and dance on a sandbar in the Platte River near Gibbon, Nebraska.

Blair Fine Arts Soup and Salad Supper

Blair Community Schools, School events and activities

The annual Soup and Salad Supper is a show case for talented sixth to twelfth grade instrumental groups and talented musicians. There were also some fun surprises during the Otte Middle School eighth grade performance of a Star Wars medley.