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ORTHMAN YMCA
Healthy Kids Day food drive helps families impacted by Tyson closure
Sawyer Dannehl pretends to be a soldier at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles booth at Healthy Kids Day Friday in Lexington at the YMCA.
LEXINGTON — Orthman Community YMCA in Lexington held its annual Healthy Kids Day in partnership with Sixpence on Friday, April 17. This year the event also contained a food drive to benefit 500 families and a hot-dog meal for 200 people.
Riley Gruntorad, president of both YMCA of the Prairie and the Lexington Optimist Club, said the idea of combining the food drive with Healthy Kids Day came about after Operation Santa Claus when Optimist members asked themselves what more they could do to help the Lexington community.
“Through some project donations and the YMCA, we were able to come up with this food drive between Plum Creek Market Place, the Optimist Club and the YMCA,” Gruntorad said.
The three organizations involved in the food drive accepted donations leading up to Healthy Kids Day and gathered them in large boxes to distribute.
The first 500 families to arrive at Healthy Kids Day received a ticket for the food drive. Those people were funneled toward a hallway where they walked through and received canned vegetables, tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, rice, bread, beef, chips, muffins and potatoes.
Plum Creek Market Place’s owners and some Walmart employees showed up to help hand out the food items, along with other volunteers, including Gruntorad’s children.
“Our goal is to make sure what we are doing outside our doors makes Lexington better and to be the hub of the community,” Gruntorad said. “This was just another way for us to step up and make sure that people who are in need right now, we can help. It doesn’t fix the problem, but it fills the void.”
The problem Gruntorad spoke of was the recent Tyson closure and how it has impacted local families.
Jose Diaz, whose wife’s job was eliminated with the closure, said, “I think it’s (the food drive and Healthy Kids Day) important because there are people who have lost their jobs at Tyson, and how they closed Tyson, and some people are kind of struggling to find jobs. Some kind of help, I feel like, is going to help.”
Chanel Barrera spins a prize wheel at one of the 29 organization booths offered at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day Friday in Lexington.
In addition to the 500 families who received food-drive tickets, the first 200 people were given tickets for a hot-dog meal provided and served by Pinnacle Bank.
The meal was served in the cafeteria, where Sixpence also curated a play area for children under the age of 4. Other activities in the cafeteria were face painting, a Play-Doh station, and a place for parents to receive a package of diapers.
Sixpence is funded by Nebraska’s Early Education Endowment Grant Program and provides prenatal services for moms and families with children from birth to 36 months old.
Services provided include parent and child education groups, monthly teen support groups, child play groups, home visits and a book bag lending program.
“We do home visits in the families three times a month and seek developmental information for their children," said Carmen Ramirez, an employee of Sixpence who performs home visits. "With pregnant moms we kind of talk about what to expect when they are pregnant and their developments as their pregnancy goes on as well."
She said Sixpence "is important because we are able to connect families with a lot of community events and also we are able to be there as advocates for them through the community and as they grow up as parents. We really help encourage that parent-child interaction.”
Sixpence is run out of Early Learning Academy in Lexington. Ramirez said the organization was thankful to partner with the YMCA to provide a safe and fun place for kids under the age of 4 to play during Healthy Kids Day.
Jennifer Norton of Lexington Public Library leads two girls through a colored obstacle course at the library's booth Friday at the Orthman Community YMCA's Healthy Kids Day Friday in Lexington.
The hub of Healthy Kids Day was the gym, where bounce houses, slides, an inflatable gaga ball pit, golf and 29 booths were hosted by local organizations.
“I think it’s (Healthy Family Day) great because it’s a free opportunity for our community to be together, a safe place for kids and families to come and just have fun," said YMCA Youth and Family Director Amber Oser, "and it’s great for all the organizations that take part in it to be able to share with the community what they have to offer.
"Our community has so much to offer, so it’s great to see the organizations and the families coming together for one big free family event that really has a huge impact in our community, especially at a time like this.”
Planning Healthy Kids Day is a year-round task, and Oser said vendor and organization signups began in January. The event is a nationwide, annual YMCA event focused on providing a safe place for families to have fun.
Chanel Barrera spins a prize wheel at one of the 29 organization booths offered at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day Friday in Lexington.
“My favorite part of it is just walking around and seeing all the smiling faces on all of the kids, knowing that they’re in a safe place and they are able to just be kids,” said Oser.
During the event Oser predicted that this year's attendance was higher than past years. She said, “it’s been a bigger turnout so far. We’re not even an hour into it and we probably have 400 people here.”
Her prediction was proven right on Monday, April 20 when a final total of attendees was compiled.
"We had 620 people in attendance at our event, plus an estimated additional 230 people who participated in the food drive, for a total of 850 people who came through our event on Friday," said Oser. "That makes it one of the biggest Healthy Kids Day events we have had at the Orthman Community YMCA."
Orthman Community YMCA is located at 1207 N. Grant St., in Lexington and is open Monday-Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
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Kearney-based Cash-Wa sold to Performance Foods of Virginia
One of the nation’s largest family-owned companies of its kind, Kearney-based Cash-Wa Distributing, has been sold to Performance Food Group of Richmond, Virginia.
Terms of the sale were not made public, but records at the Buffalo County Register of Deeds peg the sale of Cash-Wa real estate in Buffalo County at $37,267,000 for two properties in south Kearney at 401 West Fourth St. and 615 Fourth St.
Founded in 1934 by R.J. McBride, Cash-Wa’s service area stretches across Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.
Kearney-based Cash-Wa Distributing has been sold to a Virginia company, Performance Food Group.
Performance Food Group operates more than 150 distribution centers across the country with more than 300,000 customer locations.
According to its website, Cash-Wa is a leader in the broadline foodservice distribution industry, and is the 18th largest in the nation among more than 1,500 peers.
Cash-Wa distributes food products, equipment and serves restaurants, hotels, health care facilities and schools in the Midwest. Cash-Wa has three distribution centers in Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota; a fleet of trucks and trailers; several sales offices and cash and carry stores.
Harvey Henning began working for Cash-Wa Candy Co. in 1939. He rode his bicycle around Kearney to take and deliver orders. After his military service, Henning became a full-time employee for Cash-Wa in 1946 and purchased the company with partner Vern Gunlicks in 1957.
Since 1957, Cash-Wa was privately owned by the Henning family with second- and third-generation family members playing significant roles in Cash-Wa's growth.
Tom Henning, president and CEO of Cash-Wa Distributing Co., was inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame in 2021.
Grand Island, Neb. March 11, 2026 — The Heartland Events Center is proud to announce a naming rights partnership with BigIron Auctions and Rea…
Around Town
The Around Town section of the Clipper-Herald is to notify the public of upcoming events and to publicize pertinent information from individuals, groups or service organizations.
LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS
Lexington Public Library's final creative writing class will be held on Monday, 27 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Pheasants Forever annual banquet Saturday, April 25 at The Well at 5:30 p.m. contact Michael for information and tickets at 308-651-0867 or Gunnar at 308-529-3732.
A Healthy Lunch Break Wednesday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orthman Community YMCA in partnership with Lexington Regional Health Center. RSVP for a free lunch provided by LRHC by calling the YMCA at 308-324-1970 by Tuesday, April 21.
Grand opening of the Global Roots community garden will be Friday, May 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 801 N Lincoln St., Lexington.
YMCA Cinco de Mayo 5/10K walk/run Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m.
Mobile Food Pantry Thursday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at the Dawson County Fairgrounds.
Dinosaur Dimensions Show Friday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at Veteran's Pavilion.
GriefShare meets every Thursday through April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Parkview Baptist Church holds a food pantry every third Saturday of the month at the Refuge Building (1105 Park St.) in Lexington.
The Dawson County History Museum is hosting “Coffee with Carol” the first Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Lexington Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month at the Lexington Grand Generation Center.
Lexington Rotary Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at Dawson County Annex Building at noon. For more information or to join call 308-325-7006.
The Dawson County Democrats meet at 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at the Los Jalapeños Restaurant.
American Legion in Lexington meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles.
WIC Clinic Sites, Dawson County: Lexington – Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Building, 931 W. Seventh St., Tuesday through Thursday the first 4 full weeks for each month.
RYDE Transit — Public Transportation is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a ride in Dawson County or Lexington call 308-324-3670. Public Transportation is easy to ride and open to everyone.
COZAD HAPPENINGS
The 21st Annual Women's Health Luncheon Thursday, April 23 at 11:30 a.m. at Cozad Elks Club. Reserve your seat by April 16. Featured speaker: Dr. Shauna Lindstedt-Easterday. Call Suzanne at 308-784-2261 to reserve a seat.
Armchair Travels: Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. with Roxanne Converse-Whiting speaking about her recent trip to Italy.
A Night at the Robert Henri Art Gallery with Peter Osborne Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. Learn how "The Art Spirit" book directly relates to the works in the museum.
Food for Fines at the Wilson Public Library, the entire month of April. A canned food item waives $2 off a patron's prior fines.
Beef on the Green is back! Join the Cozad Chamber Ag Committee on Monday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 .m. for a delicious free‑will donation burger meal on the green. All proceeds support the Cozad FFA Chapter, helping grow the next generation of ag leaders.
Nebraska Scams and Fraud Education program at the Cozad Grand Generation Center Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach will be at the Wilson Public Library for a Community Chat at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 1.
Cozad Community Health System is hosting a 75th year open house and remodel ribbon cutting Friday, May 15 from 4-7 p.m.
The Chamber Golf Tournament is Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m. Register now for the 18-hole, four-person scramble.
City wide garage sales Saturday, June 13. $15 registration to put your location on the map.
The Writing Society meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library. Open to all writers of all levels and genres.
Blacktop Classics Car Show Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. in downtown Cozad on Meridian Avenue.
Bands, Brews and BBQs will be held Saturday, July 11 with the Lemon Fresh Day band headlining the night and opener by Heather Wellman. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. More information on ticket sales will be provided at a later date.
Blood Pressure Clinic at the Cozad Grand Generation Center the third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center has Home Delivered Meals to the Community Monday — Friday. If you would like to receive Home Delivered Meals or would like to pick up a Curbside Meal at 410 W. Ninth St. from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., please call us at 308-784-2747 by 9:30 a.m. that morning, so we can arrange everything for your convenience.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center Bus is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a ride in Cozad call 308-784-2747.
SUMNER HAPPENINGS
The Sumner Saddle Club Pancake Feed is Sunday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sumner Community Hall.
OVERTON HAPPENINGS
The Overton Alumni Association 125th annual banquet will be Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at the Overton school gym. Tickets are $25 each and must be purchased by May 18, and available at First Security Bank in Overton. For tickets and more information call Alyce Bauer at 308-987-2280.
GOTHENBURG HAPPENINGS
The Gothenburg FFA Greenhouse opens April 25. Dates are: April 25-26, May 2-3, May 9-10 and May 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 1311 Ave G.
NBC's America's Got Talent Joseph Hall as Elvis featuring The Roustabouts Band Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Sun Theatre. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $30 for VIP. Call 402-413-5747.
25th Annual Walk for Life at Lake Helen with registration at 9:30 a.m. and walking starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2. This is a fundraiser for the North Platte Women's Resource Center.
The 51st annual Gothenburg Area Fireman's Ball is set for Saturday, May 30 from 5 p.m. to midnight.
City Wide Garage Sales Saturday, June 20. Register for $20 to get your location on the map. Deadline is June 10.
Livin' Out Loud is set for Aug. 15-16 at Lake Helen.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
LEXINGTON
Majestic Theatre, 615 N. Washington St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $5, Students/Senior Citizens/Child $4
SHOWTIMES:
"Project Hail Mary" (PG-13) - April 17-19, 22; Friday/Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"A Great Awakening" (PG-13) - April 24-26, 29; Friday/Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 and 7 p.m.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" (PG-13) - May 1-3, 6 and 8-10, 13; Fridays/Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
COZAD
Fox Theater, 100 E. Eighth St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $9, Student/Seniors/Military $8, 5 and under $6.50, Matinee (all ages) $6.50
SHOWTIMES:
"Super Mario Galaxy Movie" (PG) - April 21-30; Tuesday-Thursday at 7:10 p.m., Friday at 7:10 p.m., Saturday/Sunday at 4:20 and 7:10 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7:10 p.m.
"You, Me & Tuscany" (PG-13) - April 21-23; Tuesday-Thursday at 7 p.m.
"Michael" (PG-13) - April 24-30; Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday/Sunday at 4:30 and 7:20 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m.
"Normal" (R) - April 21-30; Tuesday-Friday at 7:20 p.m., Saturday/Sunday at 4:30 and 7:20 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7:20 p.m.
GOTHENBURG
Sun Theatre, 404 10th St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $5, Child (12 and under) $3, Senior Citizen $4
SHOWTIMES:
"A Great Awakening" (PG-13) - April 24-26; Friday/Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" (PG-13) - May 1-3; Friday/Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The Lexington Public Library hours are: Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. — 5 p.m., Sunday: Closed. Watch for lots of fun programs and activities this summer. Also, we are continuing curbside services; call the library at 308-324-2151 for information.
Novel Stitchers meets on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Board Room of the Library.
Storytime meets at the Library on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
The Wilson Public Library normal hours are: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Public and private meetings have resumed, with 24-hour notice appreciated. Limits to how many attendees based upon room need, what equipment is available and other restrictions can be found by calling us at 308-784-2019 or stopping at the front desk. Normal policies about room rental can be found under Policies at wilsonpubliclibrary.org.
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER
The exercise room is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Frog
12:45 p.m. - I've Got It
TUESDAY
12:45 p.m. - Pool
1 p.m. - Bunco
WEDNESDAY
12:45 p.m. - Cards
1 p.m. - Frog
THURSDAY
12:45 p.m. - Farkle
12:45 p.m. - Pool
FRIDAY
12:45 p.m. - Cards
1 p.m. - Frog
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Homemade bread every day. Choice of skim, 2% or chocolate milk. No reservations are needed except for large groups. Serving time: 11:30 a.m. Please call 308-324-2498 by 10 a.m. for delivery or carryout meals.
MONDAY
Ham and Beans Soup, Cheese Cubes, Pickled Beets, Potato Salad, Peaches
TUESDAY
Meatloaf, Au Gratin Potatoes, Cream Corn, Pineapple
WEDNESDAY
Italian Chicken with Bowtie Noodles and Sauce, Italian Green Beans, Buttered Carrots, Apricots
THURSDAY
Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy, Red Diced Potatoes, Tomato Medley, Tropical Fruit
FRIDAY
Potato Bar, Meat Sauce, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli and Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Bread Stick, Dessert
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER
When Cozad schools are closed due to inclement weather, the center will also be closed. Check KRVN or the TV for weather related closings.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
1 p.m. - Pitch
TUESDAY
Noon- Rotary
Noon - Commodities
1 p.m. - Bridge
1 p.m. - Dominos
WEDNESDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
12:30 p.m. - Pinochle
THURSDAY
Noon - Bridge Marathon
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Salad Bar is available daily with meals served from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Spaghetti, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Garlic Bread, Cherry Bites
TUESDAY
Ham, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Peach Salad, Ice Cream
WEDNESDAY
Beef Tips over Noodles, Peas, Pears, Dessert
THURSDAY
Fish or Cook's Choice, Rice, Creamed Corn, Applesauce, Ice Cream
FRIDAY
Sloppy Joes, Tater Tots, Baked Beans, Pineapple, Cookies
FARNAM SENIOR CENTER
When Eustis-Farnam Schools are closed due to the weather, the Senior Center will also be closed. Call ahead by 9:30 a.m. to get a meal 308-569-2359.
MONDAY
French Dip, Potato Salad, Peas, Pears
TUESDAY
Lasagna, Mixed Veggies, Lettuce Salad, Peaches, Garlic Bread
WEDNESDAY
Tuna and Noodles, Peas, Broccoli Salad, Pineapple, Dinner Roll
THURSDAY
Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit Cocktail, Dinner Roll
FRIDAY
Smothered Steak, Baked Potato, Corn, Apricots, Dinner Roll
GOSPER COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
All meals are served with vegetables, fruit and a sweet item. Please call before 10 a.m. for your reservation 308-785-2500. Menu is subject to change without notice.
MONDAY
Orange Chicken
TUESDAY
Hot Beef Sandwich
WEDNESDAY
Liver and Onions
THURSDAY
Pork Quesadillas
FRIDAY
Soup and Sandwich
ORGANIZATIONS
It Works Group: AA meetings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at 303 E. Sixth St., in Lexington.
First Christin Church NA: meets Sundays at 7 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m. 1206 N. Erie St., in Lexington.
Westside Group: AA/NA: open meeting on Monday and Friday nights from 7-8 p.m. Meetings are held at Grace Lutheran Church, 105 E. 17th St., Lexington, use the south door.
Women's Group: meets every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on the second floor lounge at the Dawson County Courthouse (700 N. Washington St.)
Celebrate Recovery: Meetings at 7 p.m. on Fridays at Parkview Baptist Church’s Refuge Building (1105 Park St., Lexington) Contact: 308-324-4410.
Four Roads Group AA: meetings are held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m., Fridays from 7-8 p.m. and Sundays from 7 p.m. at 1801 W. 18th St., in Lexington.
Grupo Lexington AA (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Saturdays from 8-9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon at 114 W. 6th St. in Lexington.
Group Nueva Vida Lexington (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at 114 W. Eighth St., in Lexington.
Full of Grace: Meetings from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Nazarene Church at 919 H St., in Cozad.
Southview Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1804 Papio Lane in Cozad.
SMART Recovery meets at St. Peter’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 905 East 13th St., Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sumner AA Group: meets Sundays and Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. at 205 E. Fifth Avenue, in Sumner. For more information call 308-325-5827.
Bertrand Thurs Night Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Thursdays at Hope Lutheran Church, 74094 Road 436 in Smithfield. Call 308-785-3567 or 308-472-3376.
Odie Group AA/NA: meetings at 8 p.m. on Sundays in Elwood at 501 Calvert Avenue.
Pony Express Group AA: meetings are held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church (515 18th St.) in Gothenburg.
Thirsty Thursday by the Cemetery: Meetings held on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church (2002 27th St.) in Gothenburg.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meetings are held the second Thursday each month at 2 p.m. at Lexington Regional Health Center (1201 N. Erie St., Lexington). For more information contact Dixie Menke at 308-325-5350.
Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Immunization Clinic, first and third Mondays every month: Open 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. by appointment at 931 W. Seventh St., Lexington. Previous vaccination records required. Contact 308-325-3436 or 308-325-3169.
Dawson/Gosper County CASA: seeking Volunteers. CASA Volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life, who advocate through the court system in the interests of children. Contact 308-324-7364.
