Opinions

Shannon Grotrian, Director of the Office of Economic Assistance, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Editor: Ensuring the safety and well-being of Nebraska’s kids is our state’s top priority. Providing access to programs that best guarantee the delivery of nutritional foods is vital.

Here we are, the last newspaper of 2023. In some ways it seems like the year just began, but in many ways it was a year that I was wishing would end some time ago. It has been a difficult year to some degree in my professional life, but more so in my personal life.

As we near the end of 2023 it is time to give thanks to our amazing chamber members and what they have done this year to promote our Central City area. Big or small, all have stepped up to support various events either with their monetary sponsorship or physical presence.

In life we are often met with unexpected moments. These moments are always when I feel a person’s true character reveals itself. I know from my experience I have had to learn to laugh at the unforeseen and roll with the punches instead of melting down like that snowman just to the right of this.

It’s OK to say Merry Christmas It was December of 1965 when cartoonist Charles Schultz’s beloved Peanuts gang first made the leap from newspaper comics pages to television screens across America. It was that year that CBS first aired “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

The completion of the first semester also marks the end of 2023. The past year has brought with it considerable attention to our community and school district. Many people have been watching our community growth and have been taking notice.

The path of passivity leads to destruction Nebraskans are known far and wide for their work ethic. Our state routinely has the lowest unemployment numbers in the nation and many companies seek to employ workers from here!

It is such a busy time as we go full steam ahead into Christmas. Our downtown community arranged another successful Family Fun Day last Sunday at the Merrick County Courthouse and Elementary School.

Communication is key, that was the message I brought to you in this space a couple weeks ago and once again we will pick up that conversation. On Tuesday morning I sat alongside many other Merrick County residents as we heard from Sheriff John Westman in regards to communications.

December is here already and we are almost through our first semester of school! This is a busy time for families with the beginning of winter activities as well as the holidays.