Smith to make stops in Grand Island, Hastings today

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith will take part in public events in Grand Island and Hastings today.

First, Smith will address Grand Island Senior High School students at 9 a.m. in the school's Little Theater, Principal Kent Mann said. The public is welcome to attend the event at 2124 N. Lafayette Ave.

Later in the day, Smith will hold a "mobile office" at 5 p.m. at the OK Cafe, 806 W. 16th St. in Hastings. The mobile office will focus on the economic stimulus package as it relates to seniors and veterans, the current state of the Farm Bill, as well as other issues.

The mobile office will also allow constituents to meet with Smith about federal issues, provide input and learn about constituent services.

Jane Kleeb to speak to Hall County Democrats

Jane Fleming Kleeb will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Hall County Democrats at 7 p.m. today in the meeting room at the Grand Island Public Library.

Kleeb is the executive director of the Young Voter PAC, which helps candidates win with the 18- to 35-year-old vote. Kleeb was previously executive director of the Young Democrats of America, in which she helped raise more than $3 million during her tenure.

Kleeb will be talking about her work with younger voters and how to get younger people involved in politics.

She is married to Scott Kleeb, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska.

Newell PTA plans Fun Fest at school on Friday

Newell Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association is sponsoring a Fun Fest from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the school, 2700 W. 13th St.

Many activities are planned, including a pop toss, color wheel, face painting, sticky wall ball, cake walk, and toilet toss. The event gives Newell students and their families the opportunity to enjoy fun activities together.

Food will be available and drawings for prizes will occur throughout the event. A silent auction will also take place and the school's PTA will sell items at its store in the gym.

Scrap batteries being collected this weekend

Orscheln Farm and Home is helping clean up the environment by collecting scrap batteries on Saturday and Sunday.

Scrap batteries are returned to a state of the art recycling facility where 100 percent of the battery is recycled. Customers can bring any brand auto, marine, farm, truck or lawn and garden batteries in for recycling.

This is not a new program for Orscheln as the company has always recycled batteries when exchanged with a new battery purchase. However, it is the first time the company has offered to take junk batteries without the purchase of a new battery. As an incentive, Orscheln is providing a $5 gift card for each battery that customers bring in without a limit (must bring two lawn and garden batteries in for gift card).

The battery exchange is available at all of Orscheln's locations.

Benefit planned for stroke victim on Sunday

St. John's Lutheran Church at Kronborg and the Aurora United Methodist Church are hosting a benefit for Catherine Rahrs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist Church.

Rahrs is recovering from a stroke as well as several other serious complications due to surgery she had in February and has been forced to take a medical leave of absence from her job as the parish nurse for the Aurora United Methodist Church. Due to her complications, she has spent about a month in the hospital.

The benefit will include a freewill offering for a lasagna dinner and also a silent auction.

For those who cannot attend, donations can be left at the Bank of Marquette, Cornerstone Bank in Aurora or Hampton, First State Bank of Hordville, Heritage Bank in Aurora or Pinnacle Bank. Checks should be written to Thrivent.

Family Crane Carnival planned at Rowe Sanctuary

Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary is celebrating Nebraska's spring sandhill crane migration with a Family Crane Carnival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Family Crane Carnival activities include hands-on crane educational activities such as dancing, origami, biology about the crane's voice and flight, Jep-BIRD-y quiz game and more. Lunch will be provided by the Gibbon American Legion. The carnival is free and open to the public; a free will donation will be accepted.

Crane watching is still good through the first week of April. Rowe Sanctuary offers daily crane classes at 2 p.m. and offers guided tours to see the birds on the Platte River every morning and evening.

Call (308) 468-5282 to make reservations or for more information. Rowe Sanctuary is located at 44450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon.

Windmill art auction to be held Saturday

The Center for Rural Affairs will host the "Winds of Life: Windmills Across Nebraska" auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the historic Opera House in Minden.

The event is part of a project started by the center to encourage Nebraska residents and tourists to explore rural byways. Artists, including several from Central Nebraska, have constructed sculptures and other items with a windmill theme for the auction.

The auction includes drinks, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment. Proceeds will go toward rural community development and the artists.

For more information, visit www.windsoflife.com.

Scotia church to host Iraq veteran

The Scotia Baptist Church is hosting a presentation by 2nd Lt. Jon Wymer at 7 p.m. Friday.

Wymer serves with the 1-167th Cavalry of the Nebraska Army National Guard. He will be speaking about his experiences as a platoon leader at Fort Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, in 2006 and 2007.

Wymer is married to Tiffany (Hamer) Wymer and is the son-in-law of Bill and Judy Hamer of Scotia.

There will be refreshments following the presentation, which is held in conjunction with the North Loup-Scotia AWANA T&T lock-in.