As we ring in a new year, we at the Courier wanted to take a moment to remind you of some of the stories that made our headlines in 2024. It was a big year in Callaway with lots of exciting things happening. This week we reflected back on the first half of 2024, and we conclude our look back in next week’s edition.

J anuary: The Callaway Board of Education conducted a special meeting Monday Jan. 1, prior to the regular meeting of the board in the school library. The special meeting was for the purpose of reviewing candidates for the superintendent position being vacated by Bryon Hanson at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

No action was taken during the special meeting. The regular meeting began with the election of officers for 2024. Mike Reiff will retain his role as president of the board; vice president is Rhonda Pandorf, Liana Hrupek was elected secretary, and Jim Phelps treasurer.

Last week’s weather left residents feeling more like they were living in Alaska rather than Nebraska! Snow, wind, and wind chill temperatures of more than -20, prompted Gov. Jim Pillen to issue a state of emergency for the entire state and resulted in the cancellation or postponement of nearly all school events.

F ebruary: On Thursday, Jan. 25, the Board of Education officially agreed to terms to make J.D. Furrow the next superintendent of Callaway Public Schools. According to school board president Mike Rieff, Furrow has agreed to a 2-year contract with a salary of $137,000 for year one.

Nearly 200 people gathered at the Callaway Community Center on Saturday evening, Feb. 10, for an evening of fun, great food, and a good cause. The annual Callaway Community Foundation Gala is a fun event featuring a social hour, supper, silent auction, and live auction designed to 'Celebrate the Old and the New'. The theme for this year's event was 'Maroon & Gold Gala' which incorporated that idea by including several 'vintage' Callaway Bears items on both the silent and live auctions.

It was a successful day for the Bobcat wrestling team on Saturday, Feb. 10, as they qualified four wrestlers for the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships in Omaha. Qualifying were Dawson Mason, Josiah Coleman, Dawson Doggett, and CJ Quandt.

On Monday, Feb. 26, members of the community, representatives of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and local well-wishers joined Lodi Seed Services owners TR Anderson and Abe Hinman as the ribbon was cut on their new location.

M ARCH: A fire broke out early Monday afternoon, Feb. 26, north of North Platte. Fueled by strong winds and dry grass, the fire spread quickly engulfing open areas of farm ground and forcing multiple evacuations. Though dozens of departments from across the state, including Callaway, responded to the fire, it continued to burn for several days.

The Callaway Board of Education has a new member as of March 11. Two individuals threw their hats in the ring to fill a vacancy left on the board by Vince Guthrie, who relocated out of the district. Rebecca Eggleston was selected to fill that position.

Each year the Callaway Elementary students, under the direction of music instructor Brenner Beavers, demonstrate their singing, acting, and stage skills by performing a musical production for the public. This year’s play was Robin Hood, The Musical, and was performed on Saturday, March 23.

The cold temperatures did little to dampen the excitement of the kiddos, as a large crowd of candy seekers converged on Morgan Park on Saturday, March 30, for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event is hosted by the Callaway EMTs with assistance from the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

A PRIL: The April 8 meeting of the Callaway Board of Education began with an unusual event for this time of year - the swearing-in of a new board member. Board President Mike Reiff presented the oath and swore in new member Rebecca Eggleston, who was selected by the board at last month’s meeting to fulfill the remainder of the term vacated by Vince Guthrie who has relocated.

The Callaway School Board discussed the vacancies created by the resignations of shop teacher Pat Recoy and ag teacher and FFA Sponsor Amanda Chytka. With a shortage of available teachers, particularly in rural areas, the administration is weighing their options and trying to determine what is best for the majority of the students they serve.

The South Loup golf team made the trip to Thedford on Thursday, April 18, to compete in the 10-team Sandhills- Thedford invite. The Bobcats played well, and at the end of the day, the team had finished in a tie with Sandhills Valley for 2nd place. Anselmo-Merna won the team championship plaque.

Callaway Chamber of Commerce President Brooke Moore introduced the 2024 Callaway Citizen of the Year, Lawrence Paulsen, at the annual Chamber community celebration on April 28.

M AY: The legacy of Robert D. Booker, a hero from Callaway, was recently honored in a special ceremony in Aberdeen, Maryland on April 18, 2024. The event brought together 15 of Booker’s relatives, including his only surviving sibling, Rose Hirsch, 91, of Broken Bow, to pay tribute to his bravery.

It was the end of the line for 12 Callaway Public School students on Sunday, May 12. The motto the Class of 2024 selected to represent their time at CPS was short and sweet - “Been there, done that.” Maggie Birkel was the 2024 Valedictorian, while Josie Reiff was the class salutatorian.

J UNE: Monday, May 13, was a successful day for the South Loup golf team at the D-3 district meet, played at the Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course. The Bobcats ended the day with two district medalists and district runners-up in the team standings, qualifying the team for the NSAA Boys State Golf Championships.

While many of their classmates were being honored for scholarships received and future college plans, two members of the Callaway High School Class of 2024 were recognized for choosing a different path. Dylan Handley and Brady Brestel have elected to serve in the military after high school, and the two young men were presented with a Quilt of Valor during the CHS graduation ceremony on May 12.

The people of Callaway gathered together on Saturday, June 1, to celebrate a major accomplishment for their little town. The Callaway Chamber of Commerce and Pool Committee hosted a ribbon cutting for the new swimming pool, followed by an inaugural swim.

More than 1,300 people took advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday, June 1, to listen to some good music and eat fantastic BBQ. Though a rain shower moved through that morning, the skies cleared off by early afternoon and the annual Blowin’ The Doors Off BBQ went off without a hitch.

Two South Loup athletes were selected to participate in the Sertoma 8-Man All-Star football game on Saturday, June 15, in Hastings. Trey Connell and Joey Sallach represented the Bobcats on the West All-Star team, who came away with an easy 22-6 victory.