pool and its impact on the community. A committee was formed and tasked with researching the cost and design of constructing a new pool. Lawrence Paulsen chairs that committee, and is joined by Abe Hinman, Brenner Beavers, Carla Kimball, Henry Moore, Irelyn Rosfeld, Kendra Meyer and Lori Pandorf.

Like nearly every place else in town, Callaway Public Schools received damage during the June hail storm. Superintendent Bryon Hanson happily reported to the school board at the July 11 meeting that the insurance adjuster has gathered all the information he needs to move forward. The school sustained some water damage from the storm and as a result will be replacing some carpet, classroom cabinets, and some other classroom items as well as the roof. Hanson reported there was also heavy damage to some of the vehicles.

AUGUST:

Classes began at Callaway Public School on Thursday, Aug. 18, and four new teachers joined the district: Charmayne Popp, Kaylee Brogan, Crysta Anderson and Sara Reish. Former second grade teacher Hannah Beck transitioned to high school English. Along with the new faces in the CPS classrooms, Callaway Elementary also welcomed new elementary principal, Mrs. Brittany Jesseph.

On Aug. 10 more than 140 high performance cars converged on Arnold for the 22nd Annual Sandhills Open Road Challenge. Friday the 12th started off with the One Mile Shootout held 14 miles north of Cozad, followed by a luncheon and car show at the Callaway Community Center. The lunch is hosted by the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

SEPTEMBER:

Each Labor Day weekend since 1990, hundreds of kite flyers and spectators converge on the area for the Callaway Kite Flight, and this past weekend saw many return visitors as well as some new faces. Those attending were in for a treat, as the world’s largest flag kite was launched on Sunday as the crowd and launch team cheered with excitement. The flag kite, flown by Sean Beaver of Great American Kites & Events, is over 10,000-square-feet and weighs 575 pounds.

For decades the corner of Kimball Street and the River Road has been occupied by a gas station. Just about everyone in the area was familiar with Corner Stop, and its long-time owner, Robert Pitkin. Now the corner has a new owner, and a new look. Jessie Bloomer and her mom, Mona Geiser, took ownership of the property and converted it into a flower and gift shop, named The Plant Stand.

A committee of community members, led by new Callaway Economic Development Director Amber Harrison, met on Friday, Sept. 23, to discuss the utilization of community LB840 funds. Also at the forefront of the discussion was the challenge of educating the public on what exactly LB840 is - and most importantly, what it is not - prior to the vote in November on a measure to continue the fund.

OCTOBER:

The Village of Callaway recently brought a new employee on board, and the board is proud to introduce Amber Harrison as the new Economic Development Director. She can be found in the new Economic Development Office location at 105 S. Grand Ave. - the southernmost door at the brick building across from the market - on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons, or by appointment.

The Callaway Chamber of Commerce donated $540 to the Seven Valleys Historical Society, Inc. to help with the cost of their repairs from the hail storm. Of the $540 donation, $300 was from the Chamber from an anonymous donation that was received to help with storm repairs. The remaining $240 came from the Callaway Kite Flight Raffle proceeds.

John and Nick Reynolds greeted Callaway community members on Thursday, Oct. 13, during an open house for their recently completed new funeral home. Through the years the Callaway location has been blessed with Callaway residents that have helped the Reynolds’; Jerry Meyer for many years, Dixie G’Schwind, Randy Meyer, Shari Sheppard and Kenny Pitkin.

NOVEMBER:

All ballots in Custer County have been counted, and Election Commissioner Constance Gracey has released the official results of the 2022 midterm general election. Official results for Callaway Board of Education show incumbent T.R. Anderson with 431 votes, current board president Liana Hrupek with 316, Vincent Guthrie with 315, and write-in candidate Kay Fahnholz with 215.

Ballot issues of local interest to Callaway residents included a vote for a bond not to exceed $4 million for a new swimming pool. The bond passed by a final count of 154 to 108. Callaway residents also voted in favor of retaining the 1% city sales tax for economic development, 183 to 75, and in favor of the Village economic development plan for using those sales tax funds 172 to 89.

DECEMBER:

Tuesday, Dec. 6, was a big day for the community of Callaway as ground was broken for a special new home. Funded by the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, it is hoped this home will enable a new family to move to Callaway. Construction on the new home will begin next Spring, with completion slated for the Fall of 2023.