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Heather Van Loh, whose military husband died several years ago, helps young members of A Soldier’s Child Foundation fish during a weekend outing at Timberlake Ranch Camp.

Heather Van Loh, whose military husband died several years ago, helps young members of A Soldier’s Child Foundation fish during a weekend outing at Timberlake Ranch Camp.

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Children of fallen soldiers find peace at Timberlake

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
The 29 kids who spent the weekend at Timberlake Ranch Camp near Hordville all share an invisible scar.  A Soldier’s Child Foundation is a special organization for all involved, but to become a member you have to have lost a parent in military service.
Summer LaBenz has been baking a variety of pies since she first learned how at the age of 15.

Summer LaBenz has been baking a variety of pies since she first learned how at the age of 15.

From youth to adulthood, LaBenz keeps love of pies strong

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
A 15-year-old girl stands in the Hamilton Motor Inn, washing dishes. This was the unassuming start for Summer LaBenz and her lifelong relationship with baking pies. “My boss got me into the cooking part of it and then he started teaching me the pies,” she recalled.
Jamie Nissen warms up with her horse Beau before a competition at the Nebraska State Fair.

Jamie Nissen warms up with her horse Beau before a competition at the Nebraska State Fair.

Pair of local teens united through equine passion, sport

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
What started as childhood fun has grown from a hobby into a passion for Jamie Nissen and Adrianna McNeese.  These two ladies have taken their love of horses and riding to the next level as they master the art of competitive riding.
Just one of many band members participating this weekend, senior trumpet player Allison McIntosh was loud and proud during the homecoming halftime show.

Just one of many band members participating this weekend, senior trumpet player Allison McIntosh was loud and proud during the homecoming halftime show.

Aurora marching exhibition to headline Saturday

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
It was a sad day for more than just local band students when the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association cancelled the State Marching Festival and competition, and the cancellation of many more band competitions followed suit.
A week full of Homecoming activities culminated Friday night with crowning of the king and queen at halftime of the football game, followed by a dance.

A week full of Homecoming activities culminated Friday night with crowning of the king and queen at halftime of the football game, followed by a dance.

Homecoming royalty

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
Brady Collingham and Ellie Wanek crowned AHS Homecoming king and queen Friday night.
Heather Vanloh, who lost her husband years ago while he was in the military, helps youth during a fishing expedition Friday at Timberlake Ranch Camp.

Heather Vanloh, who lost her husband years ago while he was in the military, helps youth during a fishing expedition Friday at Timberlake Ranch Camp.

A Soldiers Child Foundation

News Staff
Friday, September 25, 2020
A group of 29 youth from all over the country who lost a parent in active military service are spending the weekend in Hamilton County. Read more about A Soldiers Child Foundation's visit and mission in this week's ANR.
7th grade students engage in Math Walk

7th grade students engage in Math Walk

Math Walk engages kids, families

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Seventh grade math teacher Scott Phillips had a lofty goal at the start of this school year -- create outdoor opportunities for his class to spread out and do some math; engage families in the process; and, perhaps long term, erase some of the “right brain, left brain” stigma that convinces some...
This photo, taken in September of 1916, shows construction being done for the basement portion of the Aurora post office building, in its current location.

This photo, taken in September of 1916, shows construction being done for the basement portion of the Aurora post office building, in its current location.

Over 100 years of history make up local post office’s past

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
The Aurora post office is a common local sight for most community members. Most every incorporated community has a post office, and in some of the small, rural towns in Nebraska the history of said local post office is long, unique and just as impressive as the exterior of the old buildings.