God Bless America!!!

God Bless America and we're happy to be celebrating her birthday this July 4th! Fireworks continue to reverberate throughout the night and light up the skies( it's 2:30 a.m.!!!). 

We've had blessed rain that has kept the rivers flowing, the fields green, and temperatures cool enough to enjoy it all!

Here then, from SandhillsWesternVacations.com and her sponsors, a birthday celebrating America's freedom all the way from the Sandhills of Valentine, Nebraska!

Great message Berry Creek Gun and Pawn! We do love our freedom...Veterans, thank you! And God bless our troops - keep them from harms way! Amen!

George and Martha make an appearance!

The Lions Club did a fabulous job, as always, with the fireworks display after the demolition derby!

Just a little cooperation! This parade entry had a little trouble, but Support our Troops was its message! Troops, we're red, white, and blue, behind you!

There were several Rat Rods wearing patriotic colors in this years parade!

Fire Chief Terry Engles is thankful for the moisture this year! Celebrate July 4th!!!!

  

 The Quilting Cupboard....

 Cherry County Hospital...

Henderson's IGA..... 

Trade Winds Lodge....

Brewer's Canoers....

Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.....

Fear Not Pattern Co.....

All wish America a very Happy Birthday! Long may she wave and may God Bless her and her men and women that fight bravely to keep her free!

Happy Father's Day!!!....sure it's not until June 15...but here's some ideas from the Heart City! Plus weekend activities!

You love your dad and don't know what he needs or wants. If he's like a lot of dads, he has everything...except for adventure! That's why he needs a vacation in Valentine, Nebraska...a relaxing float on the Niobrara River! Brewers Canoers can help you out with tube, canoe or kayak reservations. This is the Niobrara River with the sun glistening off the gentle waves as it goes down!

Make it a family affair and get your whole family matching adventure shirts...Niobrara River!!!! Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery has everything you need...T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, caps, flasks, shoes...for the entire family. But this is Father's Day we're talking about. With Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery, you get to be the designer...choose what you want and it will be ready when you get here!

What dad doesn't love to grill? Henderson's IGA has Traeger grills and beef that will melt in your mouth cooked the Traeger way. Click on Henderson's link above and go to their Traeger grill information tab. Your dad will be king of the feast!

Maybe he's not into water or grilling...perhaps he's a marksman. Berry Creek Gun and Pawn will have something he's ALWAYS WANTED! And there is the local shooting range for him to practice with his new firearm.

Now to make Father's Day extra special stay at Trade Winds Lodge. John and Joan are the best people and will make you feel like family during your stay. There is even breakfast, so no one will have to cook!

Moms and the girls might need something to do while dad relaxes in front of the TV at Trade Winds...head downtown and visit the Quilting Cupboard. There's fabric that would be perfect for a quilt for dad...at Christmas!!!! Why not peek now and see what you can find. You'll have allllll summer loooooong to get it completed!

While you're there, pick up a little wool project by Fear Not Pattern Co. No doubt Dad has had days that drive him down right batty?? Perhaps he needs to Fully Rely On God? There's a pattern for both. And something for moms, and grandmas, and ... well, you get the idea.

Go on... give dad the adventure of a lifetime, right here in Valentine, Nebraska! You'll benefit from the adventure as well. After all, the Sandhills are Your Ticket 4 Adventure...Family fun all year round!

Remember...this weekend is packed full of Dad stuff! The 4th annual Andrew Claymon Fishing Tournament at Merritt Reservoir this Saturday, then at 6:00 p.m. is the Valentine Classic Motor Club Cruise Night. Relay for Life begins with a supper at 5:30 and the Survivor Lap will begin at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Fourth annual Andrew Claymon Memorial Fishing Tourney June 7

Andrew's mom says:

What are you waiting for?? It’s time to enter the 4th annual Andrew Claymon Memorial Fishing Tournament to be held on June 7th at Merritt Reservoir!!

We have received 16 team entries to date so today is a great day to take the time to submit YOUR entry form. You can enter online at www.andrewclaymonfishing.com.

Remember that we have added a NEW division this year: two children ages 17 and under can fish with one adult.

For those of you that have already entered, thank you! And I will be sending out more details. Keep in mind when making your travel plans that we host a tournament/rules meeting dinner the night before the tournament at 6:00 p.m. central time by the cabins at Merritt.

June 7th will be here before we know it!! It has mostly stopped snowing where we live in Colorado so I would guess that it’s at least 80 degrees in Nebraska :) Get out that boat and fishing poles! AND don’t forget to take the KIDS. Some of the best memories that I have of Andrew are from when we were fishing so don’t miss out on creating those memories.

It's almost Mother's Day and Graduation!

To mothers everywhere, Happy Mother's Day a weekend early. To all graduates - you've reached a very important milestone! Everything else will be gravy...Haha...well, not quite, but take heart - moms and grads, you're loved!

As graduates, you do need to pick out something for your mom for Mother's Day...

And moms, no doubt, you'll have graduation gifts to pick up as well...boy and girl grads...

Why not head to Outback in Valentine, NE, for your gifts. There's something there for everyone on your list at prices you can afford...

Give them enough time for specialty items. They can do photo mugs - have a favorite of you and a sibling? Give it to mom. Moms, do you have a great one of the kids at prom? Make some up for graduation gifts!

There are hundreds of ideas for gifts that are one of a kind at Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery.

There's even footwear for mom and grad.

Remember the bling!!! Bling for moms and grads!!!

You can even get away with a little something for yourself!

Because buying gifts for your loved ones should be gravy...life will have a few lumps and that's a hard learned fact your mom can tell you all about...and grads, you can remind mom that school isn't a piece of cake as you enjoy yours!

Congratulations to you all from Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery, your one of a kind, specialty gift shop on Valentine's Main Street!

It's time to hit the road for the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop! And the countdown is on!

Today is Sunday, March 30....four more days until you can hit the road for a journey you'll be wild about! You even have permission to Go Ahead, Get Wild from the Nebraska Independent Fabric Shops aka NIFS.

Your journey begins April 3, and continues through April 12, to 35 quilt shops. And when you head out west, there's a little something extra for you. Sixteen shops have gone in together to create this quilt out of the special fabric created for this event by Quilting Treasures. Each shop has a separate pattern and you'll have to visit all 16 quilt shops to get the pattern for each section. No matter, out in the wild west you'll encounter some of the nicest people.

You may decide to create your own quilt. There are several color ways the fabric was created, and it will take some time to decide on what you want. NOT...just get one of everything! 

But make your first stop at the Quilting Cupboard!

Extended hours, a quaint community in Valentine, will have you feeling simply: Wild! There are plenty of places to spend the night including the Trade Winds Lodge or Valentine's Niobrara Lodge, both supporters of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. Click on their ad and it will take you to their website. 

Wake up refreshed and be on your way...there's more to see out west...you know: The Wild, Wild, WEST!

Each quilt shop will reveal their projects during the event and will have limited Wild About Nebraska fabric on hand. Make sure you get enough at the Quilting Cupboard for your project!!!! Owner, Susan Stec, can help you with fabric amounts to fill out your stash, or to make the quilt pictured at the top. 

So go ahead...get Wild. Wild about Nebraska...from one cosmopolitan end to the wilderness of the other end. You'll be glad you did...get just a little bit wild!

Time to get Wild about Nebraska with the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop!

Are you wild about Nebraska? Our state is number one in so many things...I think primarily it's the people  that make it so special. Like YOU!

You do so much for each other! Like the adventure that awaits you for the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop coming up April 3 - 12, 2014. Ladies will flock to all 35 locations of the Nebraska Independent Fabric Shops. Last year it wasn't just ladies, a husband and wife team traveled to all the quilt shops in the state!

While traveling you will bond with each other - your deer friends - plan ahead for gifts, help each other find that special fabric that "speaks" to you....or the ONE fabric that will finally allow you to finish that UFO...aka...unfinished project.

There's a lot to get wild about this year too! A special fabric has been created showcasing the vast wilderness and beauty that makes up most of the state. Critters, flowers, and waterfalls...

While traveling, make sure to stop at the Quilting Cupboard in Valentine! Susan Stec is the shop owner and will make you feel right at home in the renovated home - turned quilt shop. There are two floors full of 100 percent cotton fabric, wool, patterns, books, notions, buttons, flosses, trims and kits.

And she'll make YOU feel welcome with a nice hot beverage, or cool one, depending on the fluctuating winds of spring while you peruse more than 1,000 bolts of fabrics. Some waiting just for you too!

Each of the western shops has put together a quilt using the 16th annual Shop Hop fabric created just for this event. Once it's gone...ladies and gentlemen....it's gone. You'll have to stop at all the shops to get your pattern and put it together row by row.

Valentine is a tourist town...with plenty to see and do. You might want to make this your last stop of the day so you can enjoy the comforts of the Trade Winds Lodge or Valentine's Niobrara Lodge. Get up in the morning and be on your way west where other quaint shops await. The early bird gets the worm....

One of the most fabulous thing about the annual Shop Hop is that you're meeting up with old friends again...or making new ones.

You're also putting together memories - not just for yourselves as you travel - but those memories will go into the projects you create for your loved ones. You'll recall that Susan helped you pick out the perfect fabric to compliment others. Or showed you a pattern that will showcase your stash to perfection.

Make your plan. Head out to Valentine, Nebraska...stay a day and enjoy The Quilting Cupboard, browse quaint shops on Main Street, get a meal from some award winning restaurants...and remember the flock of love that is the Heart City.

The Quilting Cupboard is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached by calling 402-376-3702.

Go wild about Nebraska, all roads will lead you to the City with Heart, Valentine, Nebraska!!!

The Good Life - Nebraska Style!

If you live in, or vacation in Nebraska, you know it's a pretty special state...just how special?

Find out here:







Happy Birthday Nebraska!

Does it make you a little bit prouder to be a Nebraskan?