PART 2 ELLEN MORTENSEN

When a new year begins, it is always fun to look back at some of the highlights and events of the past 12 months. We conclude our review of 2025 this week with some of the stories that made headlines in the Courier from May to December.

MAY:

The American Legion Post 59 is pleased to announce that Caleb Furrow and Dylan Pandorf of Callaway were selected to participate in the American Legion Cornhusker Boys' State Program.

Fifteen Callaway High School seniors gathered in the school gym for the final time as classmates on Sunday, May 11, as the Class of 2025 closed the book on an important chapter of their lives. The phrase the class chose as their motto is, “How lucky are we?”

The South Loup boys’ and girls’ track teams capped off an incredible season by crowning three district champions, two district runners-up, and setting two new school records at the C-8 District meet hosted by Kearney Catholic.

Rainy weather and chilly temperatures forced the Callaway American Legion to move the annual Memorial Day program from Rose Hill Cemetery to the Callaway Community Center. Wayne Belew delivered a message honoring fallen comrades and paying tribute to Robert D. Booker, namesake of Callaway’s American Legion Post.

JUNE:

Family members of the residents of Callaway’s Grand Generation Manor prepared a special supper of pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, melon, and fruit salad for their loved ones. The residents enjoyed the meal outdoors on a beautiful Thursday evening.

On June 8, a handful of members of the Central Sandhills Chapter of American Legion Riders gathered at the Callaway Good Life Center to present certificates of gratitude for their service to six veterans currently residing at the Callaway facility.

Though founded in 2000, due to a two-year break during the pandemic, 2025 marked the 23rd Blowin’ the Doors Off BBQ event. Held on June 7 in Oconto, the 2025 cookout featured 12 grill masters and was attended by more than 1,200 people.

The Callaway Village Board heard an update on a new housing project for the community during the board’s June 10 meeting. TJ Elliott and Justin Mason will be developing property to build 6-8 new homes on the east edge of Callaway.

JULY:

Henry’s Bar in downtown Callaway has new owners and a new name. Former owners Henry and Brooke Moore, and new owners Jenny and Clint Robinson, have worked to make the transition seamless.

Callaway High School FCCLA members Kaygan Witthuhn, Chenney Dishman, and Angel Johnson were crowned National Champions in Repurpose and Redesign Level 3 - a title they earned in Orlando, Florida July 9. The Chapter is under the leadership of Advisor Charmayne Popp.

Callaway District Hospital purchased and did some remodeling on the building downtown between Shotgun Annie’s and Sand Creek Bar, converting the space to lodging quarters for medical students and interns. The transportation office was also moved to the new location.

AUGUST:

The Callaway Village Board had a lengthy discussion on the new housing development sidewalk repairs. The issue of just who should pay for those repairs was the main topic of conversation.

For 25 years now, Custer County has been welcoming race car drivers, navigators, and enthusiastic spectators to a one-of-a-kind event in the state - the Sandhills Open Road Challenge. Callaway welcomed the drivers and community members for lunch at the Community Center.

Callaway Public Schools Superintendent JD Furrow was accompanied by four members of the CPS Board of Education at the Aug. 12 meeting of the Callaway Village Board. Furrow began by explaining that the school district has acquired property across the street to the south of the kindergarten school building, and the school board has begun discussions about future plans for that property and the city streets that may be impacted.

SEPTEMBER:

Justin Mason and TJ Elliott are working together to develop a piece of property and construct homes along what is referred to locally as the “dump road” on the north side of the River Road. The plan is to construct six homes on the property.

Callaway Public Schools has established a tradition of the senior class and kindergarten class coming together for a photo op. Here are the members of the CHS Class of 2025, and the Class of 2037, in their caps and gowns. (Courier file photo) A unique and fun fundraising effort is underway for the Callaway Good Life Center involving brightly painted walkers. The “walker bomb” campaign is running through the month of September, which is Fall Awareness Month. Someone can donate funds to have the walkers placed in the yard of the donor's choice.

A contentious discussion took place during the monthly Callaway school board meeting regarding the district’s dress code policy. After several community members and board members shared their thoughts on the issue, the board agreed to replace the two sections of the proposed policy pertaining to specific clothing items.

The Callaway Village Board approved two ordinances permitting Sand Creek Bar to serve as a Keno sales outlet location and allowing the use of digital Keno in the Callaway village limits.

The playground in Callaway’s Morgan Park has a new look and a new surface, thanks to the efforts of the Village Economic Development Director Kacee Gillis. The park also boasts some new picnic tables.

The Callaway Board of Education approved the tax levy request and property tax request for the school district after a public hearing during the board meeting, as well as a public hearing in front of the Custer County Board of Supervisors, which was required because the district was asking to go over the lid set by the state.

It was a banner day for the Bobcats at the District D-5 Cross Country meet in Cambridge. The boys’ team raced straight to victory, bringing home the gold overall with each of the three team members placing in the top 10 individually.

Security First Bank and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. announced the signing of a purchase and assumption agreement, and upon closing of the transaction, First Interstate Bank in Callaway became part of Security First.

The ladies of the Callaway Legion Auxiliary provide free snacks for the children attending the Kids Carnival, which was held on Nov. 1. Several games and a cake walk, manned by community volunteers, entertained the kiddos.

The Callaway District Hospital Foundation, with the generous support of community member Mark Buss, has provided a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Seven Valleys Senior Center. This donation highlights the Foundation’s mission to enhance community health and safety throughout the region.

The Callaway Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department has recently added some lifesaving equipment and supplies to each fire truck. Now, each truck in the department is equipped with the medical equipment and supplies needed to treat and manage some life-threatening emergencies, from sudden cardiac arrest to severe bleeding.

DECEMBER:

The annual laying of wreaths for 'Christmas Wreaths For Veterans' was held at Rose Hill Cemetery on Dec. 7. The event is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #59 of Callaway.

The South Loup wrestling team kicked off the 2025-26 season on Dec. 5, in the Hi-Line Invitational, as Josiah Coleman wrestled his way to a silver medal and Paxton Bierman earned a bronze medal on the day.

This month, there was plenty to celebrate, as the AQUeSTT scores were released and Callaway Public Schools did very well. Superintendent JD Furrow credited improved school attendance, something the administration has been working diligently toward, for the success.

It was announced that Callaway High School alum Natalie G’Schwind has been selected to attend the Poetry International Festival in Rotterdam in 2026.