severe solar storm, it sounds like impending doom and gloom will befall Earth. But that’s not the case! Instead it’s a colorful sky dancing with vibrant lime green and ruby lights in the dead of night. Stars shine through the colors who glow creating a fantasy come true for sky watchers.

CHAPTER ONE — The Feather Fiasco at Berry Bridge It all started with feathers. Lots of them.

InAugust2025MountHopeCemetery was awarded 15 trees, through the Trees for Nebraska Towns Fall Tree Grant. Plantings, with the help of the Mount Hope Cemetery Board, Harmony Cemetery Board and Middle Niobrara NRD, took place on October 10 at Mount Hope and Harmony cemeteries.

Daniel Martinez, guitar virtuoso, had a busy week visiting the schools and other stops around town. Daniel is originally from Iquitos, Peru. He moved to the United States in 2002 and started to take his music seriously. Daniel has performed across the U.S., Canada, and in South America. He is a guitar professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Union College, and plays all musical styles, but his specialties are Latin rhythms such as Flamenco, Rumba, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Bolero, Bachata, and more.

As the sun rose over Main Street, my heart gleamed with pride. The morning light caught on the rows of American flags lining our townbright stripes and quiet reverence waving in the Sandhills breeze. It felt like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, except this isn’t a painting. It’s real. It’s Cherry County, Nebraska. It’s home.

The 2025 4-H year wrapped up on October 19, with the annual Achievement Celebration at the White Elephant Hall in Cody. After enjoying some yard games and a potluck meal with over 80 people in attendance, special awards were presented and top achievements for the year were highlighted.