The Cork has been postponed

There are simply some things in life that aren't controllable. And because of those uncontrollable things, The Cork Young Memorial Golf Tournament that was to be held tomorrow, has had to be rescheduled for a later date.
Keep tuned in for when that will be.

Sign up now for 6th annual Cork Young Charity Golf Tournament

 Winning last years' event was the Renning family! It could be you this year...sign up ... and play to win. Because in the end, everyone wins at the Cork!

The sixth annual Cork Young Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2012 at the Deer Park golf course.  The three person scramble will begin at 10:00 a.m. A complimentary meal, flag prizes, and trophies for each of the three flights will be included in the $200/team entry fee. 
 Since its inception in 2007, the Cork has donated over $30,000 to local charities including the Sandhills Area Foundation, the Valentine Youth Activities Association, and the Valentine High School Foundation. 
This year the tournament’s proceeds will be donated to the Sandhills Cancer Fund to help with travel expenses for those seeking out-of-town medical attention.  This donation will be given in honor of Cork’s sister, Elizabeth Dorris, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  If you are interested in joining the fun, call Deer Park at 402-376-1271 to register your team.

Nebraska Star Party...NOW!

That's right folks, the Nebraska Star Party is going on NOW at Merritt Reservoir! They had quite the show tonight I'm sure, complete with lightning, rumbling clouds, and maybe - GOD willing - some rain...something we're all praying for.
Except if you're in a tent at the Snake Campground trying to look at stars - which these folks are.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 18, there will be classes held at Valentine High School, something for you and your family...there are even classes for the kids! Make sure you stop in and see what the fuss is all about. Classes begin at 12:30 p.m.

Then, make the plan to stop out Friday night about 9:00 p.m., before it's dark. Come early even, and enjoy the pristine white beaches and cool waters of Merritt if it's hot. As the sun sets, the show will begin, the Star Party gang will have their telescopes ready for you to view different planets, gobular clusters, and things you probably didn't know even existed in deep space.

 The beauty of the "steam" rising from the tea-pot. The steam is really the Milky Way - and it's oh, so beautiful and is pictured above!

Park with lights facing the exit and bring a flashlight covered with red cellophane so as to not ruin your "night eyes" or the "night eyes" of others.  Dark skies are scarce, and ours are fabulous. Make the plan. Work the plan. And finally, enjoy the plan. 

Henderson's IGA PRINT-AT-HOME Coupons

Henderson's IGA is a Five Star Store, and that's because they offer the best service and products.

They've added something new to help make shopping easier, faster, and more economical!

With the economy as it is, and vacation plans looming this summer, why not take advantage of Henderson's new feature - PRINT-AT-HOME coupons!

It's simple. It's fast. And it saves you money. You can either click the ad that looks like this on the front of the SandhillsWesternVacations.com Web site which will take you directly to their Web site.

Or, go to Hendersons.iga.com and click on the coupon button on the red bar at the top of the page. From there, just select the coupons you want. When you're finished, print them and begin SAVING!

What's especially nice about this feature for travelers, is not having to deal with bringing food from "home." Melting ice, drippy coolers, possible spoilage...when you can get all your grilling, 'smores and more at Henderson's IGA, located on Highway 20 in Valentine.
And you'll get it all fast and with a smile! That's what makes them a Five Star Store!

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Maps, Valentine, Nebraska

The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association has helped the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge get these magnificent 24" x 36" maps of the south refuge, located on Highway 83, about 25 miles from Valentine, Nebraska.
These maps show lakes, markers, roads, and different areas for hunting and retail for $10.00 each.

They can be picked up at several local merchants in Valentine: Trade Winds Motel, Sinclair Gas Station, Valentine Visitors Center, Fred's Bait, Plains Trading Book Sellers, Shell Gas Station and  Sandhills Oil in Thedford.

Or you can have a map sent to your address by contacting Janet at 402-376-3789. A shipping charge will be added to the $10.00 price.

Nebraska Star Party July 15 - 20, 2012

Earlier this month, sky gazers got the opportunity to see something that is so rare, according to news.nationalgeographic.com, that only six Venus transits have been observed since the invention of the telescope more than 400 years ago.

Here, the organizers of the Nebraska Star Party set up to see the Venus transit.



Organizer John Johnson took the photo below of the Venus transit. He is pictured above, near the vehicle, while putting his cowboy hat on.



We won't get to see the Venus transit at the Nebraska Star Party this July 15-20, 2012, but there are other things that you'll be able to see that are equally as stellar.

You have several options for luxurious accommodations including the Niobrara Inn, Trade Winds Lodge (Click on their advertisements along the side edge of the site to book your accommodations), or you can rough it by camping at Merritt Reservoir.

There are classes that can be taken for the beginner and intermediate sky watchers, along with classes for the kids. Classes on Wednesday, July 18, will be held at Valentine High School and will begin at 12:30 p.m and run through 4:30 p.m. at the school's auditorium. Here is a list of speakers with two of them using Skype to present their classes. 

Steven Lee works for JPL and is the Guidance, Navigation and Control Manager for the current NASA Mars Science Mission (http://mars.jpl.masa.gov/msl/) that is scheduled to land on Mars this August. He will share his presentation via Skype.

Also sharing via Skype, is Kevin Hussey, the JPL Manager of Visualization Technology, Applications and Development. He developed the Eyes on the Solar System and Eyes on the Earth programs.

Cal Beard, who will be at the auditorium live, is a comet hunter and will speak to the group about the science of comet hunting. (No bows and arrows needed for this hunt!)

Also speaking live, will be Mike McGlone, a NASA Education Specialist and will speak to the NSP attendees as well as to the teachers at the science teacher program.

The organizers will be co-sponsoring with the NASA-Nebraska Space Grant program, an extra middle and high school science teacher training seminar for teachers in the mid-part of the state plus Omaha area teachers.

You can find out more and register for a family filled week by going to the Nebraska Star Party's Web site at: www.nebraskastarparty.org

Look for clear skies and fun times. Last year, attendees were blessed with the most beautiful aurora borealis. You can see that photo by going to the events portion of this Web site. Who knows what our Creator will have planned for NSP 2012! Register now and see what that could be!

Happy Mother's Day...Prepare for the Cherry County Hospital Foundation's Fund Raiser

There's still time to get your swing perfected for the Cherry County Hospital Foundation's annual  Golf Tournament Fund Raiser that will be held at the Valentine Golf Club on Highway 12. You have until June 20, 2012, in fact. The Tournament will have a shot gun start at 10:00 a.m. with a four person scramble. Registration will be from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. and the cost per team is $300.

They're still accepting donations for the raffle. 

The proceeds for the tournament will be used for a Bone Densitometer Unit for the Cherry County Hospital.

There is an inclement weather date scheduled for June 27.Call Kurt at 402-376-2088 to register or to donate to the tournament. The golf tourney is limited to the first 20 teams.
A trip to the golf course might be something your mom might like. May 13 is Mother's Day...something to consider.

And a word from one of our sponsors Valentine's  Niobrara Lodge:

Call your mom it's Mother's Day this Sunday, May 13!