Sign up now for the 3rd annual Andrew Claymon Fishing Tournament - June 8!!

While there may be some snow flurries as you read this - it won't matter, because come tourney day, the skies will be as blue as Andrew's eyes, and the fish will definitely be biting!!! 

All the more reason for you to dust off your tackle box, check your fishing line, get a few new lures and join the fun of the third annual Andrew Claymon Memorial Fishing Tournament!!

Teams are needed, so find your favorite someone and make reservations to be at Merritt Reservoir on June 8. There are prizes, you know.

And it's every kids dream to fish with, and learn from someone very special - and that could be YOU! Click on this link to sign you and your pal up: http://andrewclaymonfishing.com/

To find out about Andrew and how the memorial fishing tournament began go to 2012 then go to May on this blog. His mother, Joni, shares the story. 

Hope to see you there!!! Under those blue, blue, skies with fish biting like crazy.

15th annual Nebraska Shop Hop, April 18-28, 2013!!!!

All things are pointing for you to make the trip across 

Nebraska for the 15th annual Nebraska Shop Hop. 

It's the 15th annual Nebraska Independent Shop Hop and there's something for everyone as they journey across our wonderful state and visit 39 participating quilt and fabric shops. 

Way out in Valentine, Nebraska, you'll meet one of the nicest shop owners (customers have commented), Susan Stec, who owns the Quilting Cupboard. 

 Quilting Cupboard owner, Susan Stec holds up the Western shops' project.

Bill and Barbara Brazie of Wakefield, NE, stopped by Friday, April 19, to pick up some quilting supplies. Both of them are quilters, however Bill says Barb won't let him touch her HQ16 long-arm quilting machine. He prefers to make quilt tops and will get back at it after he's done with physical therapy on his shoulder. 

"It's going to be 16 to 20 weeks. When it first started, I thought it was arthritis. One of the orthopedic surgeons though we better try a steroid shot. I thought we were just putting the surgery off. He talked me into doing it. I didn't make it two weeks and was hurting worse than before. I had shoulder spurs and the doctor found bone spurs and thought scope surgery with three to eight weeks for recovery. 

"I can't carry on this way - so he went in and wound up doing surgery. It was a mess, the rotor cuff was clean way back here," he indicated toward his back. "They had to drill a hole in the bone and stitch the muscle to the bone so it could grow back to the tendons."

 Unique patterns by Fear Not Pattern Co, a great supply of wool and 
Weeks Dye Works flosses are available. 

But that won't stop the Brazie's from visiting all of the shops. While NIFS doesn't have a point system this year, they do have the opportunity for participants who visit all the shops to get a $10.00 coupon and a bag for 2014. Another bonus of visiting ALL the shops is that participants will be entered into ALL the drawings. 

Bill and Barb will take two - three day weekends - to make the trek. In the meantime, Barb has her own quilting business Barbara's Busy Bee Quilting. She also quilts the designs Bill has made for his granddaughters, a couple he made for graduation gifts and two baby quilts. 

While she's had the long-arm for the past four years, it wasn't until recently that she began quilting professionally. 

 Barbara and Bill Brazie of Wakefield, NE. 

"I like to do it, I just wish I had more control. I have to do everything freehand. I'll work for a couple hours...the big ones 94"x104" take a couple days to finish."

Bill and Barbara make a lot of quilts for their church who donates them to the Lions Club, Lutheran World Relief and Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk. 

"Last year we gave to Mapleton, IA, who had the big tornado. There's a lot of people who you can give them to. We pick our charity and usually it's the Lutheran World Relief," said Barbara.  

As the sun begins to set, the Brazie's decide they'll head for Hemmingford in the morning instead, and enjoy Valentine's finest dining and stay at one of our nice motels - with a fine breakfast to get them off in the morning. Thanks for stopping by Bill and Barb. And all the others who will visit Valentine for the 15th annual Nebraska Shop Hop!

 The Nebraska fabric was made into a tote at the Quilting Cupboard - kits are available.

New and improved Web site to serve you better!

The Sandhills Western Vacations Web site was recently renovated. There are slide shows that showcase our beautiful area for nearly every FUN thing there is to do here...throughout the seasons.

We are a destination that can be enjoyed all year long and there are plenty of things to do. Some years are better for ice fishing than others. Some years are better for going down the river than others. But no matter...there's always going to be enjoyment in those activities; they'll become the vacation that you'll always remember because...

It would be fun to post some of your remembered vacations and share photos as well. Please send them to SandhillsWesternVacations@yahoo.com and they will be featured on a future blog!

There are a few more things that will be added to the Web site, but those will have to wait for a later date.

So...if you're inclined...share your thoughts on the new SandhillsWesternVacations.com and remembered vacations and photos at SandhillsWesternVacations@yahoo.com

Nebraska Life magazine shows Valentine scenery!

The magazine that explores Nebraska!

Statewide Magazine Features Local Photographer

NORFOLK, Neb., March 25, 2013 – A photograph from Midland News editor, Laura Vroman, graces the cover of the March/April issue of Nebraska Life Magazine.  

 Longtime contributor to Nebraska Life, this is Vroman’s first cover. The image was taken at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and features a thunderhead rising over Fort Falls.

 Selected for the photo essay, “Clouds: Nebraska Skyscapes,” Vroman’s photograph is accompanied by works from Steve and Bobbi Olson, and Nebraska Life editor and publisher, Christopher Amundson.

 View the photo essay in the current issue, available on newsstands or by subscription for $21 a year.

 Also making an appearance in the March/April issue is Valentine native Chris Senseney and wife, Stefanie Drootin-Senseney of Big Harp. The duo’s second studio album, released by Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records, debuted in January.

  This issue includes stories and photos on: the southwestern city of Curtis, O’Neill’s Tielke Sandwiches, western wineries, Omaha’s Peony Park, poetry, events across the state and more.

 Nebraska Life Magazine, founded 16 years ago, publishes six issues a year about the nature, history, wildlife and people of Nebraska. The magazine is based in Norfolk and is family-owned by Christopher and Angela Amundson. Nebraska Life is available by subscription for $21 for one year and $38 for two years. It is also available statewide on newsstands. To subscribe, call 1-800-777-6159 or visit www.NebraskaLife.com.

For more information on the Valentine Midland News go to: http://www.ainsworthnews.com/ and click on Valentine. 

It's Holy week...Happy Easter!

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?  

Matthew 6:26

 Along the highway...Surprise! What a wonderful gift! 

It even posed with a left turn of his head and a right turn, 

and it finally flew away...so majestic.

This eagle was nesting right over the Niobrara River. Ready to begin new life.

 

Trumpeter swans stop along the Niobrara River. What do you think they have to be happy about?

 

They  step out of the slushy Niobrara, preen, and nap. That's what they have to be happy about!

 

The underbellies of these geese are red as the sun sets and the moon continues to rise.

A few years ago, these Sandhill Cranes stopped by on their migration! Will they stop by this year?

 

Even in the whippiest of winds and snowiest of snows, God provides for our little feathered ones. 

 

 On your mark....get set...soar...yes, that means you too!

May you experience Peace this Easter!

And remember, the Sandhills have all this glory for you to see at this time of year!!! 

Come you bird and fowl lovers. Watch the wonderful variety of birds as they build their nests, 

sit on their eggs and enjoy spring in the Sandhills! 

Time for new beginnings...new life, and for planning your Sandhills vacation.

Passport through Nebraska and win prizes!

Imagine having your passport for exotic lands...far, far, far away from everyday stress, responsibilities, and  having it be totally affordable. The Nebraska Tourism Commission has announced their 2013 Nebraska Passport that will cater to couples, friends, and families. Travel across Nebraska and get your passport stamped. There are several places to get your Passport stamped here in the Sandhills. Those locations are in italics and are awaiting your arrival!!! Travel abroad this fabulous state...make sure you save a little extra time for the wonders of the Nebraska Sandhills!

 Locations are featured on this blog as well as on the SandhillsWesternVacations.com Web site. Check them out! 

The  Nebraska Tourism Commission is announcing the 80 featured stops in the 2013 Nebraska Passport. New this year are special-interest tours featuring top picks from past travelers, art galleries, craft breweries and literary stops.

 The Passport program encourages travelers to explore Nebraska, collect stamps from participating attractions and earn great prizes.

 The 2013 Passport will feature 80 attractions on 10 themed tours: Hit the Hot Spots, Meet the Locals, Picture the Scene, Play Outside, Savor the Flavor, Seeing is Believing, Sleep Tight, Tap Into It, Turn the Page and Wrangle the West. 

Travelers have from May through September to visit attractions and redeem their stamps for prizes. For each completed tour, participants win a Nebraska Passport T-shirt. Travelers also can receive 20 $1 Nebraska Lottery Scratch coupons in celebration of the Nebraska Lottery’s 20th anniversary (for 20 stamps) and a digital camera (for 40 stamps).

 A grand-prize drawing for an iPad mini will be held in October. This year, an additional drawing for 300 $1 Nebraska Lottery Scratch tickets will be held for all participants, 19 and older, who turn in passports with at least one stamp.

 Passports will be available at participating stops in May or can be pre-ordered by emailing info@NebraskaPassport.com.

 Order your free travel guide today at VisitNebraska.com. Stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

 2013 Passport Tours and Stops

Hit the Hot Spots

Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, Nebraska City

Petrified Wood and Art Gallery, Ogallala

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island

Master’s Hand Candle Company and Serendipity Chocolate Factory, Tekamah

Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford

Sandhills Motel & Glidden Canoe Rental, Mullen

NEBRASKAland DAYS, North Platte

Green Lantern Steakhouse and Lounge, Decatur

 Meet the Locals

Ricky and Lucy’s Country Greenhouse, Sidney

Prairie Grounds Café and Gifts, Broken Bow

GROW Nebraska Buy It Local Store, Grand Island

Back Alley Bakery, Hastings

Prairie Point Junction Quilt Shop, Cozad

Lakota Hope Center/Lightshine Thrift Store and Lakota Art Institute, Whiteclay

It’s All About Bees, Ralston

Classic Car Collection, Kearney

 Picture the Scene

Springfield Artworks, Springfield

Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln

Thedford Art Gallery, Thedford

Woodland Trails Art & Learning Center, Winnebago

Western Nebraska Arts Center, Scottsbluff

Norfolk Arts Center, Norfolk

Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, David City

The Art and Gift Gallery, North Platte

 Play Outside

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Denton

Nebraska National Forest (Bessey Ranger District/Bessey Nursery), Halsey

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, Wood River

Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue

Sunken Gardens and Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln

Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, Nebraska City

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison

 Savor the Flavor

Pour House Tasting Room, Friend

Lakehouse Bar & Grill, North Platte

Ozzie & Jan’s Famous Lee’s Chicken, Lincoln

R.F. Goeke Variety Store and Soda Fountain, Atkinson

Range Café & Bassett Lodge, Bassett

The Rocket Inn, Indianola

BeeHaven Farm Roadside Market, Harrisburg

Barnstormers, Norfolk

 Seeing Is Believing

General Crook House at Fort Omaha, Omaha

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, Burwell

Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Bayard

Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte

Boys Town, Boys Town

International Quilt Study Center & Museum, Lincoln

Knight Museum & Sandhills Center, Alliance

Mayhew Cabin with John Brown’s Cave, Nebraska City

 Sleep Tight

Crystal Key Inn Bed & Breakfast, Newman Grove

Historic Argo Hotel and Steakhouse, Crofton

Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast, Nebraska City

Two Rivers State Recreation Area, Waterloo

Calamus Outfitters, Burwell

Arrow Hotel & Suites, Broken Bow

Inner Maker Bed & Breakfast, Seward

The Balcony House Bed & Breakfast, Imperial

 Tap Into It

Loop Brewing Company, McCook

Thunderhead Brewing Company, Kearney

Lucky Bucket Brewing Company, LaVista

SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery, Pawnee City

Nebraska Brewing Company, Papillion

Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewery, Springfield

Zipline Brewing Company, Lincoln

Blue Blood Brewing Company, Lincoln

 Turn the Page

Bess Streeter Aldrich House & Museum, Elmwood

Willa Cather State Historic Site/Red Cloud Opera House, Red Cloud

John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, Bancroft

Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center, Chadron

Wright Morris Walking/Driving Tour, Central City

Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors & Loren Eisley Exhibit at Bennett Martin Library, Lincoln

The Lyceum Café and Bookstore, Brownville

The Sisters Grimm, Bushnell

 Wrangle the West

Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln

Glur’s Tavern, Columbus

High Plains Homestead, Home of the Drifter Cookshack and Bunkhouse, Crawford

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, North Platte

Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron

Morgan’s Store, Ellsworth

Strawbale Church, Arthur

Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park, Merriman

Storm glory!!! Preparing for your arrival!!!

 

 Valentine's Main Street was covered with snow Saturday, March 9, with two energetic 

souls out removing the heavy, mositure laden, much needed icing. 

Thank you Gary Conner and James Ravenscroft.

 

Peaking through lacy branches one can see the comforting lights inside Cedar Canyon Steakhouse. Coffee anyone? How about a nice meal to sustain you as you head off the beaten path....

 

Off the beaten path, this young white tail was a bit surprised, clearly curious, 

and excited to be frolicking Sunday, March 10. 

 

The little one soon caught up to its family, already headed for higher ground. 

How many deer can you spot?

In a previous post, there is a deer in the same spot, only her ear is twitched at my intrusion. 

However, Sunday, March 10, she was keeping alert to the individual who was out on his

 4x4  plowing out his road. Yet she still looks comfortable. 

 All tucked in and if you weren't paying attention, could easily miss her majestic beauty. 

 

The Minnechaduza Creek at the Valentine City Park played host 

to these mallards who thought everything was rather ducky!

 

Across the river, everything was covered with a thick layer of snow and sunshine. 

If you look closely, you'll see the icicles hanging off the tree branches. 

What was so fabulous about this snow is that it packed a lot of moisture 

but it was comfortable to get out and walk around 

and take in the beauty of the Sandhills. 

 

What a sight to behold as the sun peeked out from the clouded sky 

and shone its light on this bedazzling tree. 

The mallards, not accepting my company, have moved further down the 

Minnechaduza Creek quacking the whole way. 

 

 

Mother Nature is sending her signal to everything under the snow. 

Even though the trees didn't spring ahead, they know what to do at her prompting. 

The river will eventually host tadpoles, dragonflies, and a whole host of aquatic 

life that is still dormant - but won't remain for long. 

 

A close-up of what will eventually bloom in the spring. These are either lilacs or wild plums. 

Before you know it...summer will be here. 

Have you booked your hotel stay? There are two very nice places to stay and they'd 

 be glad to take your reservations.

 Click on Valentine's Niobrara Lodge or Trade Winds Motel on this Web site which will take you to their Web sites where you can choose your reservation dates. They fill up quickly you know. 

For something a little more out of the way, why not click on 

Double R Guest Ranch. It would be perfect for your family's reunion. 

Here it is Monday evening, and most of the snow has been 

distributed among the roots, filling the rivers, lakes and getting the 

Sandhills of Nebraska ready for your arrival.