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A former Sands family barn moved to the site in 2007 has been built into the edge of the Gjerloff Prairie and converted into the Charles L. Whitney Education Center. -
Dressed to impress, Willa Sharp (left), Hailey Hanneman and Rachel Hunter count out their steps, being sure to stay in formation as they learn a new visual element during this year’s Aurora High School band camp. -
The exterior of the Bates House is now a pleasant shade of blue, which is more historically accurate to the Victorian era. It also showcases a brand new roof and windows.
PPRI’s new education center opens Saturday
A facility envisioned decades ago which has been under construction since 2006 will officially open its doors Saturday with an open house celebration at the Charles L. Whitney Education Center west of Marquette.
The structure located on the edge of Gjerloff Prairie is at the core of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s mission, which is to preserve, maintain, restore and celebrate native Nebraska prairies. PPRI now has a dedicated place to host educational events and functions in a space uniquely designed to enhance its mission.
“The Charles L. Whitney Education Center is the culmination of a desire to provide people a comfortable place on the land to gather and discuss ideas big and small,” said Amy Jones, PPRI’s administrative director. “We’re so proud of the building. The architect, Lee Schriever, should win an award for its design. It’s been a labor of love and we can’t wait to show it off to the community while celebrating the role that our members, supporters and friends have played in the accomplishment.”
Band looks to ‘raise the bar’
The Aurora High School marching band has roll-stepped its way into its new season with 88 members strong.
Having successfully completed this year’s band camp, band directors Dan Sodomka and Kate Metzger, as well as drum majors Elena Kuehner and Gabe Peterson, sat down to reflect on the week and the season ahead.
“We had 31 seniors and we brought in 17 freshmen,” Metzger said on the slight dip in numbers. “The incoming freshmen class has always been a smaller group of kids. They play really well, they’re just smaller.”
Historic Bates House receives facelift, further preservation
Having been nestled for years in its quaint little spot on Plainsman Museum grounds, complete with landscaping, mature trees and sidewalk, the Bates House may look a little different to visitors now, a handful of important restorations having been completed in recent months.
“The historic Bates House was built by Civil War Union Army General, Delevan Bates, in 1876,” a display board inside the house explains. “Bates and his wife, Lana, came to settle in Hamilton County in May of 1873. They first established a 160-acre homestead one mile north of Orville City, and then moved to Aurora where they built their home.”
HPC board issues statement on health standards, CRT
The High Plains Community School’s Board of Education met Monday night to discuss the divisive issue of both Health Standards and the Critical Race Theory (CRT.)
Paul VanHousen, board president read a pre-written statement to the other members, administration and those in attendance.
“With regard to the Nebraska Department of Education Health Standards, the board has determined that the district will not adopt or utilize the current proposed standards for the 2021-22 school year,” he said.
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