Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 74

Lincoln Journal Star Sunday, June 25, 2006 HOMETOWN Vondra family tradition comes to end Geneva party such a hit last year, they're going to do it again For details For more information on Geneva's "Celebrate Patriotism" activities, contact Karrie Waldron at (402) 759-3124 or Jana Schelkopf at (402) 7594711. A full list of events is available at many Geneva businesses, or at www.cityofgeneva.orgpatriotism. JOANIE CRADICKFor the Lincoln Journal Star Cousins Fred Vondra (left) and Ray Duffek hold a picture of their grandparents, Rose and Frank Vondra. Rose and Frank Vondra emigrated from the Bohemian and Moravian sections of the Czech Republic in 1874, according to family research. siblings began taking turns hosting the event.

And everyone always attended. Excuses weren't tolerated. "It was an unspoken order. You turned up for the reunion," Patricia Vondra said. "It was tradition," Duffek said.

"You were either in the hospital oryou were breathingyour last," Patricia Vondra added. The Vondra name is still prevalent in the Bee and Brainard areas. The senior Fred Vondra, Fred's dad, was mayor of Bee and owned several businesses, including a barber shop, furniture, hardware and jewelry stores. And Edward "Sport" Vondra, who scored 102 points in a Brainard High School basketball game in 1922, still holds the boys' state record for most points scored in one game. According to a newspaper clipping of Fred's, Ed Vondra made 50 field goals and two free throws to make the 102 points.

Ed Vondra was a cousin to Fred's father and Ray's mother. Today, as in other years, the Vondras the name was originally Wondra but incorrectly inscribed at Ellis Island as a instead of a Patricia Vondra said will introduce their families to one another and reminisce about other reunions, folks who are no longer alive, antics and keepsakes, including the banner they inscribed each year that is now missing. They'll get to see and touch the wooden shoes that their forebears wore in lieu of leather. Duffek's mother inherited them and passed them along to Ray's daughter, Rebecca Duffek-Campbell. They'll get to watch Vondra family members Luanne and Brad Anderson perform a Czech homeland dance in native costumes.

And they will likely rehash family lore, much of which focuses on Fred's father, whom Patricia described as the "gentlest, most wonderful man." One of the tales about Fred's dad that will undoubtedly be told will be how he would invite the men of the family during the reunions to sample his homemade rhubarb wine in his basement. The story is that he spiked the wine, unknown to his guests, with red vodka to give it color. "He would stand there and laugh and laugh when they could not make it back up the steep steps" after drinking it, Duffek recalled. Reach Joanie Cradick at dc34702alltel.neL Since 1926, the family has gathered most years for a reunion feast. But time and the scattering of younger Vondras have made today's the last.

BY JOANIE CRADICK For the Lincoln Journal Star The Vondra family has a reputation for enjoying good-spirited fun, traditional food and closeness. Patricia Vondra of Lincoln said her friends have even wished they were part of the family just so they could attend the Vondra annual reunion. The event in past years has included visits to the family's ancestors' home place in Bee, pig roasts, golf games including trophies and a potluck with traditional Czech dishes including kolaches and dumplings and sauerkraut with pork. "We used to call it the Vondra family reunion and changed it to picnic," said Fred Vondra, Patricia's husband. "The family got so big," it became difficult to rent a hall large enough to accommodate everyone, he said.

The picnics, which have frequently been in Brainard, Bee, Seward and Lincoln, often draw 100 to 150 relatives, said Ray Duffek, 74, also of Lincoln, whose mother, Mildred, was a Vondra. "The biggest one was over 200 at Bee" more than 20 years ago, he said. "We used to laugh that there were more Vondras at Bee (for the reunion) than the population of Bee," Duffek said. But after celebrating their 66th reunion today at the4-H building in Seward, the Vondras, which number more than 300, are going to let the tradition die. Fred Vondra, now 70, said his father and his father's seven siblings, who started the reunions with their father in the 1920s, have died, as have some of their children.

Also, the third, fourth and fifth generations are scattered all over the country. The idea to close the picnic-chapter wasn't well received, Patricia Vondra said. "They were unhappy that we said this would be the last," she said. "If somebody would step forward, we would like to continue this. We would pass it on," Fred Von- Cass County Union jail considered for historic register The Nebraska State Historical Society has accepted an application to consider Union's one-room jailhouse a historic place, the Plattsmouth Journal reported.

The application was forwarded to the National Register of Historic Places for final review and, if approved, listing on the national register. According to the village of Union, the jailhouse was built in the early 1900s. Fillmore County Geneva Farmer's Market now on Tuesday evenings The Geneva Farmer's Market is moving to Tuesday evenings from 5-8 p.m.. The Nebraska Signal reported. Organizers are hoping the change will avoid conflicts and better accommodate local vendors.

Fillmore Central teachers to receive pay raise The Fillmore Central School Board approved a slight teacher pay increase at its recent meeting. The Nebraska Signal reported. Despite a failed levy override and some other constraints, the board unanimously approved a base increase of $775 for the school district's teachers for the 2006-07 school year. The increase moves the base salary from $26,200 to $26,975. Insurance premiums were raised from $250 to $300 for next year, so the total salary package increase was about 4.54 percent.

Gage County Beatrice chiropractor wins Homesteader title R.J. Crandall was the winner of the Mr. Homesteader Contest during Homestead National Monument of America's annual festival, the Beatrice Daily Sun reported. Crandall, a local chiropractor, beat out the other four candidates vying for the title by collecting about $1,500 in donations for Blue Valley Mental Health more than any other candidate. The five candidates together raised just under $5,000.

Crandall was awarded a Stetson cowboy hat and an honored place in the Homestead Days parade on June 17. Jefferson County Letters to raise funds for track, football field A Fairbury couple has organized a letter-writing campaign to help raise BY REBECCA SVEC For the Lincoln Journal Star GENEVA When organizers of Geneva's Q125 Celebration wrapped up the 2005 event, the one detail they didn't have was an attendance number. It wasn't possible to tally the number of visitors coming and going from three days of events spread throughout the Fillmore County seat. But there were plenty of indicators that the celebration was a success: The food vendors that ran out of food. The full house at the melodrama.

The dry malts and slices of pie that flowed from the former Eric's Cafe. The 600-some visitors who wandered through the Geneva Museum set up for the celebration. The number of people who asked if they could do it again next year. "With last year's event being so successful, we thought we should try and continue it on in a slightly smaller version," said Lori Loont-jer, director of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and manager of Revitalize GenevaNebraska Lied Main Street program. The result is "Celebrate Patriotism" July 3-4.

It incorporates successful events from last year and offers a fun way to celebrate the July 4 holiday, said Karrie Waldron, co-chairperson of the Discover Geneva Patriotism Committee. "It's an inexpensive event, something the family can come to and not worry about it costing an arm and a leg," she said. Events range from inflatables for the kids to play on to a poker run for adults. Events begin July 3 with downtown sidewalk sales, Fillmore County Courthouse tours, the Geneva History Museum display, and dry malts at the former Eric's Cafe. The celebration gets in full swing later in the day with a ping-pong-ball shoot, inflatables for children on the courthouse lawn, and a "cream can" dinner spon- sored by Geneva Masonic Lodge No.

79. Evening entertainment includes a free musical courtesy of Sutton Community Theatre. The group will perform "Pump Boys and Dinettes" at 6:30 p.m. July 3 and at 4 p.m. July 4 in Geneva's Ri- The Hometown section appears every week in the Sunday Lincoln Journal Star.

If you have a story idea or a suggestion for the Hometown section, you can contact one of the people listed below. Editor Kathy Steinauer Smith is editor of the Hometown section. Reach her at (402) 473-7251 or Staff writers: Art Hovey covers Seward and York counties and also is the newspaper's agriculture writer. Reach him at (402) 5234949 or ahovey alltel.net. Cara Pesek covers Gage, Saline and Jefferson counties.

Reach her at (402) 473-7361 or cpesekjournalstar.com. Jonnie Tate Finn covers Saunders and Cass counties. Reach her at (402) 473-7395 ortfinn journalstar.com. Kendra Waltke covers Lincoln '05 Ford Mustang Coupe R6343. Sport hood scoop, "Shaker 500" sound system, Warranty sale price si 7,495 '05 Mercury Sable GS P6356.

Power group, CD, Warranty Sale Price $11,950 '05 Ford Eseana Limited R6413. Heated leather seats, CD changer, Warranty Sale Price $19,950 4115 CALL FORDLINCOLNMERCURV i. N. TOLL alto II Theatre. Nebraska author Charlotte Endorf will present "Ne-braskans," a short per-formance about the Orphan Train experience, after Monday's mu LOONTJER sical.

A downtown dance with the City Limit band rounds out the evening. The lineup of July 4 events includes a 10:30 a.m. "Patriotism" parade, a ping-pong-ball shoot, poker run, train rides and carnival-type games, a quilt show, golf tournament, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, courthouse tours, inflatables, fire truck rides, dunking booth, wine tasting, pony and buggy rides, Geneva History Museum display, an ice cream social and petting zoo. The celebration ends with a vintage baseball game and fireworks at the fairgrounds. A military support rally with State Sen.

Jeanne Combs as speaker takes place before the fireworks. A few promotional events are planned, Waldron said, including "firequackers," little rubber ducks hidden in Geneva businesses the week before the event. Finders receive prizes. The July celebration may become an annual event, Waldron said. Geneva hasn't had an annual celebration for some time.

"Years ago we had a Summer-fest in July, but that kind of ran its course," she said. The Q125 generated enthusiasm to restore a community celebration. "We hope the community supports it like they did last year. It should be a good two days," Loon-tjersaid. Reach Rebecca Svec at rebecca.svecdoane.edu.

neighborhoods and Lancaster County. Reach her at (402) 473-7303 or kwaltkejournalstar.com. Hometown correspondents: Joanie Cradick lives in Utica and covers York and Fillmore counties. Reach her at (402) 534-2045 ordc34702alltel.net. Dave Carew lives in Elmwood and covers Cass County.

Reach him at (402) 994-2445. Troy Fedderson lives in Lincoln and covers Lancaster County. Reach him at tfedderson hotmail.com. Jeff Grlnvalds lives in Ashland and covers Saunders County. Reach him atjgrinvalcharter.net.

Laura Osborne lives in Auburn and covers Nemaha, Richardson and Johnson counties. Reach her at storyideasforlaurayahoo.com Rebecca Svec lives in Milli-gan and covers Fillmore and Thayer counties. Reach her at (402) 629-4269 or rebecca.svecdoane.edu. kumAedibeltmJmk vaLm '05 Ford Mustana Conv. R6341.

Pony "Shaker 500" sound system, Warranty aaie trice ,9 '04 Ford F-350 Crew Diesel T3547A. Dually 4x4, excellent condition, local trade Sale Price $29,950 '03 Ford Ranger XLT R6431. Super cab, V6, automatic Sale Price $11,950 ltm MM (h A A Infill 6th (North Hwy 77) (402) 223-3547 or AM, 'It was an unspoken order. You turned up for the reunion. You were P.

VONDRA either in the hospital or you were breathing your Patricia Vondra dra said. The family reunion tradition started with Frank Vondra, Fred Vondra's grandfather, in 1926 after his wife, Rose, died earlier in the year. He and his eight children got together on Thanksgiving Day of that year. And he continued to hold annual reunions until his death in 1946. And the tradition, though not held every year, survived his death.

"My dad was the oldest. He was the first one to host it," Fred Vondra said. Then, the senior Fred Vondra's money for the new Fairbury High School Athletic Complex, the Fairbury Journal-News reported. Chuck and Sharon Moore told the Fairbury School Board earlier this month they planned to send letters to area businesses and community leaders in hopes of attracting more donations for a new track and football field. "Our goal is to contact each and every business and make sure they have the opportunity to help with the project," Sharon Moore said.

"We're going to be working very hard this summer." Lancaster County Raymond post office offers 'Letters From Home' The Raymond post office is offering a limited number of "Letters From Home" commemorative cards for sale. A card and envelope is available for $3. It features a space on the back for a message to a U.S. service member. The card will then be inserted in the envelope and also feature a Purple Heart stamp, which has recently been reissued, and a special postmark.

The cards can be addressed to known service members or sent to "any" service member stationed abroad. The post office has arranged for local veterans organizations to distribute the "any" messages. The special messages will all be mailed July 28. The Raymond post office has only 25 of the commemorative sets available, said Raymond Postmaster Catherine Keane. More than 700 post offices in rural Nebraska, Kansas and southwest Iowa are participating in the "Letters from Home" campaign.

Bus drivers seek raise for driving field trips Waverly bus drivers are looking for a pay raise for driving field trips, the Waverly News reported. Bus drivers are paid $6.50 per hour for driving field-trip routes. Several bus drivers did some research and presented their findings to the Waverly School Board at a recent meeting. The next-lowest pay rate the drivers found for field-trip pay was in Blair, which pays $9 per hour. Lincoln Public Schools' bus drivers earn the highest rate in the area $13.50 per hour for field trips.

The drivers said their rate should be about $9 or $9.50 per hour. "We just want a fair wage that's comparable to other districts," said school district bus driver Steve Baer. Otoe County Economic development group gets $51,000 The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration has invested $51,000 In the River Country Economic Development District of Nebraska City. The funding will go toward continuing a comprehensive economic development planning program for the group, which works to attract, create, retain and expand businesses in and around Nebraska City.

The federal Economic Development Administration helps provide venture capital to meet economic development needs of communities. Renovation committee says its work is finished Members of the Otoe County Courthouse's renovation committee told the county board recently that they feel their contributions on the projects are done, but board members disagreed, the Nebraska City News-Press reported. Janis Riege, clerk of the district court, said the committee had little input in the decision-making on the renovations and had been asked for input on lighting, carpeting and colors. But major expenses were decided by the board and the project's architect. County Commissioner Joy Schroder said the committee still had a role to play because it consists of people who work in the building, and commissioners don't.

The commissioners supported paying for another $14,894 in courthouse work. That includes moving a wall in the former assessor's office, electrical work and cabling. During this fiscal year, the county has spent about $1.4 million on the courthouse remodeling project. Some expenses, such as fire doors in the main staircase, have not been paid. Also, renovations to the district courtroom have been postponed.

Saline County Doane admissions office gets new leader Former University of Denver staff member Cezar Mesquita has been selected to lead Doane College's admission office, the Crete News reported. Mesquita most recently served as the University of Denver's director of diversity enrollment. Mesquita, a native of Brazil, earned a bachelor of arts degree In Spanish and international affairs from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He completed a master's degree in Latin American Studies at the University of Alabama. He replaces Dan Kunzman.

Sarpy County American bank moves to new Gretna location American National Bank has relocated to Its new building at the comer of Nebraska Highway 370 and U.S. 6, the Gretna Breeze reported. The new building is nearly 5,000 square feet, compared to the previous building's 1,800 square feet in a double-wide trailer. It also has new security technology and handprint technology to access safe-deposit boxes. It features more security cameras that can be viewed at the bank's main branch in Omaha.

Saunders County Ashland shows interest in disc golf course The Ashland City Council is considering installing a disc golf course, the Ashland Gazette reported. Local resident Jonathan Pingel told the City Council June 6 that he raised more than $1,500 for a 12-hole disc-golf course that would cost about $3,600. There are more than 30 courses in Nebraska, according to Andrew Chisolm of the Nebraska Disc Golf Association. Plattsmouth recently installed a course, and Waverly has had a course since 1999. The first course in Nebraska was built in 1989 in Lincoln.

The course would be built along Salt Creek near Silver Street. The course would be designed to work with the trees and other aspects of the area, Pingel said, including the creek. The only request Pingel had was that city crews clean up some of the trees and weeds. Council members and Mayor Ron-na Wiig expressed interest in putting the land to use. The land has not seen much use since houses were cleared out in the 1980s after the area was declared a flood plain.

The council did not take action on the matter. York County Agency: York airport needs extended runway Formerly in compliance, the York Municipal Airport is now being required by the Federal Aviation Administration to extend the main runway, the York News-Times reported. A change in regulations since the runway was last extended now requires additional land slightly more than 25 acres plus two acres of easement for a safety zone at the end of the runway for an "over-run area." The land needed to extend the runway is owned by Sid Johnson, from whom land for the airport has been acquired in the past. Negotiations with the city may allow the easement portion of the land to be farmed, said Orville Davidson, public works director. Projection of the cost is about $350,000, Davidson said.

Ninety-five percent of that amount would be paid by the federal government Local cost Is slated to be 5 percent or less. FREE t-888-BEATRICE (1488-232-8742) www, b6trtcvf ord 0001.