I was going too, but.....DON'T PUT IT OFF!

As I write this several changes have occurred. The first is that my mom is still in the hospital and has been, in one form or another, since February. The toughest thing about this is there is nothing I can do to change things, except say prayers.

My mom in peach, my aunt in mint, maid of honor in pink, my uncle in the far back, my dad, and little me in the best lavender dress my mom made,  for my uncle's wedding!

Other things in Valentine have changed as well. Remember that cute quilt shop, The Quilting Cupboard, that you were going to visit but didn't make or have the time. To her delight, she is closing to spend time with her family and grandchildren. Visit her Facebook page to see what zany, crazy, sales she may be having. A couple other Valentine businesses are closing as well and just as joyfully, to spend time with their families!

Which is why I titled this: DON'T PUT IT OFF!

Were you thinking of making a trip to Valentine? To the Sandhills? To Merritt? To tube the Niobrara?

The time is NOW! Before the kids go back to school. Here are some of the fun things that have been scheduled for your enjoyment!

From July 31 through August 5 is the Nebraska Star Party! And it's one of the darkest parties you'll ever be invited to!!! Deep space objects, the Milky Way, star constellations, family fun! Do you have a telescope at home that needs upgrading? This is the place to be. There is a swap n shop that also includes books on how to use your telescopes, what to look for in outer space, and a challenge to find the 110 objects that French astronomer Charles Messier catalogued in 1771. Friday, August 5, is open to the public. But you can be included by signing up for the entire week by going to Nebraska Star Party. You can also see some of the fun by going to SHWV's Nebraska Star Party.

Hang around a day and enjoy the Rotary Sponsored Disc Golf Tournament! There are monetary prizes!!! The tournament will be held at the Valentine City Park, click here for more information.
This is a non-sanctioned event.

Some like disc golf, others like bargains! August 6 will be full of bargains as well!  CRaZy BaRgAinS for a CRAZY DAY!!! Get some back to school clothing, tools for your college bound student, there's bound to be a bargain you can't or won't pass up! Make sure you stop at Outback's new location!

Later in the evening, Norden Dance Hall will be hosting the band Outback. Dance, have fun, and dance some more! DON'T PUT IT OFF!!! Directions to Norden can be found here. And the dance is held in the big red barn!

August 10-14 is fair time in Cherry County. There will be music, those delicious funnel cakes, carnival rides, spectacular blue ribbon animals, the pavilion decked out with all kinds of vendors. Kids, mow a few lawns to earn money for rides and the games...DON'T PUT IT OFF!!!

Other changes that you may not know about...Norden Bridge was removed over the spring, and replaced with something completely different.

Before...

After...

Before...

After...

And the final change is to Snake Falls. I'm sad to report that as of Wednesday, July 20, 2016, Snake Falls has been closed to the public until further notice. People have been disrespectful and left trash behind, there have been thefts, defacing the falls, and non-payment of the $1 fee to see the falls. Lastly, there are new liability laws and safety is their paramount concern. They are working on options for future viewing.

As you make your plans, be sure to stop at the Chamber sponsored businesses and pick up one of these nifty totes, made by Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery! The Chamber is using these as a fund raiser, and they're filled with all kinds of goodies, coupons, and fun stuff! Look for them when shopping in Valentine. They're large enough to carry magazines, a laptop, or a great lunch for two! But still pretty classy to hang on too! 

Dean Jacobs, the Executive Chamber Director models one so fashionably! 

There's still quite a bit of summer left in the Sandhills! Don't wait until it's too late. Grab your loved ones, come out and enjoy what there is in the Heart City, on our waters, and make memories. Cherished memories. 

I will always have memories of my parent's visits. It would be a miracle if my mom would ever return to this little slice of heaven...so don't be the one saying, "I was going too, but....

DON'T PUT IT OFF!  

We welcome you!

To head over to the website go toSandhillsWesternVacations.com

Sing the summer song...

This summer has been nothing short of perfection! Sunny days, green hills, a beautifully flowing Niobrara River, and abundant fish in the lakes.

Sing the summer song! That would be the cicadas letting us know how much summer we have left...

Calendar wise, we have plenty of summer left...right on through the end of September...vacation wise, however....

This week we have the Cherry County Fair and Rodeo and coming up!

There will be some cool chicks there!!!

Colorful rides for kids of all ages! Even those faint of heart who choose to go in the ROCKET!

 When you're a wee one, the DRAGON can be just as scary!

 The always popular auction for the 4-H Champion animals is something not to miss!

Tim Henderson of Henderson's IGA won the bid for this prize winning hog raised by Justin Lurz.

Colorful, creative, works of art are on display in the 4-H Building, including quilts that will one day become heirlooms!

 LEGOS!!!

Artists have their work entered in the Sand Painters Art Guild for everyone to appreciate - everything from photography, pastels, oils, acrylics, and multi-media. We have a talented county!

Saturday at 6:00 p.m. the Valentine Chamber of Commerce hosts their Watermelon Feed in front of the 4-H Building. Summer just isn't summer without watermelon! Last year it was sweet and juicy! Stop out!

These are just the highlights of what the rest of the week will showcase. When you're not at the Cherry County Fair, head downtown for end of summer clearance items as well as BACK TO SCHOOL savings!

Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery has a new location to serve you. They moved to 208 E. First Street. The crew urges you to stop in and see the spacious new building and load up on all your child's sporting gear, back to school fashions, and one of a kind, customized apparel.

So the cicadas are singing...
The sun is setting sooner...

 Making our skies more colorful...

 More dramatic...

A vacation in the Sandhills will leave a lasting ripple effect and calm your senses...whether you take in the Cherry County Fair, visit with our lovely sponsors, or enjoy our nature...
We welcome you to Cherry County!

Let our sponsors to help with your vacation or adventure!!! Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. 

Why not plan a leisurly  trip down Niobrara National Scenic River with  Brewers Canoers and Tubers to complete your summer?

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments! Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has western prints, wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co. 

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. 

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has all the tickets you'll ever need for the Cherry County Carnival...make sure you stop by and pick some up today!

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, ticket 4 Adventure....come find out why at SandhillsWesternVacations.com!!!

Before summer ends...Nebraska Star Party, Crazy Day savings, and Cherry County Fair!!!

On this night the moon is (check it out....) one day after a new moon. Why is that important? It makes the stars that much more brilliant and, after all, the star party is about the beauty of the stars! It's the 21st annual Nebraska Star Party with the theme, It's a Sure Bet!
Star gazers will be out from July 27-August 1 this year and it's a sure bet everything is going to cooperate!

Mr. Eclipse is the keynote speaker and is a scientist emeritus and NASA's expert on eclipses. Additionally, he maintains NASA's eclipse website as well as his own MrEclipse website. He has also co-authored the book, Totality-Eclises of the Sun, along with Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses with 5000 years of eclipse maps, and most recently, Lessons from the Masters: Current Concepts in Astronomical Image Processing. Without a doubt, Mr. Eclipse chases down eclipses and participated in dozens of eclipse expeditions around the world. Wonder what his favorite one was?

You'll have to come and hear him speak to find out that answer for yourself!! He's made a name for himself by following eclipses and to honor him, the International Astronomical Union honored him by naming an asteroid Espenak. An asteroid named after himself!

While Fred Espanak is retired to rural Arizona, that doesn't mean he's not willing to come out and share his knowledge and passion for those strange, mystical, occurrences called eclipses! You can check out his astrophotography at AstroPixelsAstroPixels.com.

The week long Star Party takes place out at Merritt Reservoir and information can be found here at SandhillsWesternVacations.com.

Back in the day, there wasn't TV to watch, so people kept their evenings free and watched the stars. Whether you're a veteran star gazer or you've never even looked through a telescope, the organizers are hopeful that you'll plan to spend the eek with them for an unforgettably fun and economical vacation under the stars.

Wednesday, July 30, there will be programs for adults and children. Adults can listen to Mr. Eclipse while the children's program is designed to stimulate interest in science. It' sa hands on program and features lab activities promoting thought and discovery! These activities will be held at Valentine High School, located on Green Street in Valentine.

So you thought about signing up to attend the week long event and didn't. You can still experience the thrill of seeing the stars on Friday, August 1, when organizers host the ever popular Public Star Party which begins at 9:00 p.m. at the Snake Campground at Merritt Reservoir.

Here are some scenes from last year's 20th event and retired astronaut Clayton Anderson.
These were taken by star gazer Martin Hrdlicka, with many thanks! You can view more of his photos via flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/martyh74/

Dinner Time! 

NAA Member's Hill! 

 M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

Milky Way NSP 20! 

Veil Nebula 

 C11 Telescopes against a fiery Sandhill sky!

Ron and Jim 

Space Shuttle Slide 

Swan Nebula

These photos are by Laura Vroman and show the photographers voting for their favorite astrophotograph. Below is Martin kneeling as he makes his selection. 

Martin chooses his favorite photo while others enjoy the sights. 

 Who is that in the front of the class? Retired astronaut Clayton Anderson...Nebraska's only astronaut.  He was so passionate about becoming an astronaut he applied to the program 19 times! 

Never say never! 

You can look at the sun BUT ONLY WITH SPECIAL TELESCOPES. USING SPECIAL TELESCOPES these kids were able to see solar flares and sun spots. 

Kids are learning the different sizes of the planets. One of them said, "Jesus is bigger." 

Touche'.

The things you can learn at the Nebraska Star Party are overwhelming, wonderful, simple, exciting, and part of your everyday life, actually. One of the organizers said it is the solar flares from the sun that predict our weather patterns. 

But you'll have to join in the fun to find out more!

The Star Party will wrap up officially, Friday, August 1. But some may hang out since is a great opportunity for a family vacation. Everyone can take part in Crazy Day, Saturday August 2!!! Our sponsors will have bargains galore for you! School is right around the corner, and you may be surprised at the savings you'll find down Valentine's Main Street! 

Up next will be the Cherry County Fair. For immediate information go to: http://www.sandhillswesternvacations.com/Cherry_County_Fair_3.php

Summer is nearly at a close...but it's not over yet! There's still plenty for you and your family to enjoy in the Sandhills of Nebraska!