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CUSTER COUNTY, ARNOLD, NEBRASKA 69120 (USPS 032480) VOLUME 102, NUMBER 1 SINGLE COPY: 50 CENTS

The Arnold Sentinel THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

“Serving the South Loup River Valley”

A third historical marker for the townof Arnold has been placed on the Pin-nacle Bank building. Berni Crow, whoheads up the Rotary-sponsored project,said this is the third marker that hasbeen completed. The first was at herown one-room school house and the sec-ond at the Nazarene Church, nowknown as Last Call Ministries.With a goal of placing some 40 of thesehistorical signs on buildings, Crow saidshe only has until April of 2019 to finishthe grant-funded project, and she needshelp. She asks that anyone who has his-torical photos and/or information aboutbuildings in Arnold to contact her at308-520-1102.“Melva Phillips recently provided mewith wonderful photos from hermother's collection. I know there aremore out there,” she said.The next building that will receive asign is the library, and following that,Reed's Food Center. The plaques are cre-ated by Schoolhouse Graphic Products.Following is the information re-searched and compiled for the bank'ssign:Since Arnold incorporated in 1883, thetown has had five banks. Two of thosebuildings have stood the test of time,with one closing in 1930, and the otherbank still operating as Pinnacle Bank.Alex Robertson’s bank, 1886, stood onthe Kreative Edge corner facing west.The other four banks were, PeoplesState, Farmers State, Arnold State, andSecurity State (Pinnacle Bank). For afew months Arnold had three banks op-erating simultaneously. The SecurityState Bank operated from BenHardin’s store (located where the pres-ent Pinnacle bank is). In 1917, the bank purchased the store,moved it to a new location, and built thebuilding that is now occupied by Pinna-cle Bank. The Security State Bank wasclosed on June 30, 1930 by bank exam-iners, followed by Arnold State two dayslater. Neither bank reopened, but a newbank opened its doors in the old ArnoldState building (Archie’s Cafe) on Sep-tember 15, 1930. Basil C. Wehrman from Nelson wasthe cashier, and kept the Arnold StateBank name. Stockholders of the newbank were John Finch, L.P. Rose, FrankKoubek, Abe Auble, Ted Chambers,John Dennis, Tom Ricketts, George De-

Losh, Ross Price, and Phil Houghton. In March of 1933, President Rooseveltdeclared a bank holiday to push confi-dence in his NEW DEAL. Arnold depos-itors lined up that day to deposit checkstotaling $5000. In 1935, the new Arnold State Bankthen moved to the old Security StateBank building, leaving its former quar-ters to become the Arnold Café (now va-cant). B.C. Wehrman retired in 1969. His sonKen, having been with the bank sinceDecember of 1963, became the bankPresident, continuing in that capacityuntil his retirement in 1988. Frank Koubek’s son, Raymond, hadjoined the bank in 1960 and was namedcashier. Persis Tubbs had worked for the bankfor twenty-eight years, retiring in 1971. Arnold State Bank was sold to theDinsdale family of Palmer on December31, 1988, becoming a branch of Farm-

Historical project moves forward

ers State Bank and Trust of Lexing-ton, Nebraska. Larry Moran had workedas a loan officer for Arnold State sinceFebruary 1, 1987, and remained in thatposition at Farmers State. John McDonald became bank Presi-dent, until his death on September 16,1991. Other presidents and their termsat Farmers State were: Rick Chohon Oc-tober 21, 1991 (six months); Ron VanSkiver January 1, 1992 (2 years). Later all Nebraska banks owned byDinsdale became Pinnacle Bank..Larry Moran then served as PinnacleBank Market President until his retire-ment December 31, 2015. Todd Thompson came to PinnacleBank of Arnold, as a loan officer, June 2,2014, going on to become the MarketPresident December 31, 2015. He con-tinues in that position today. (The suc-cession of bank names, that operatedwhere Pinnacle Bank now stands, isprinted in bold italics.)

Photo/Berni CrowTodd Thompson stands next to the new historical sign placed on the front of the Pin-

nacle Bank building.

When the Crane River Theater Com-pany arrived at the Arnold CommunityCenter for the Page to Stage “Madagas-car” program on June 13th, they jok-ingly said, “I don’t think this will beenough room.” Little did they knowthat the large space was going to bepacked! Over 70 children showed upfor this amazing fun theatrical work-shop. Counting parents and sponsorstoo, we easily came close to hosting over100 people. Steve Barth, director of thetour, commented, “We always love com-ing to Arnold, we draw an amazingcrowd!” The Crane River Theater websitestates, “Kids of all ages can relate to theuniversal appeal of theater. It is for this

reason that Crane River Theater createda series of library outreach programsfor youth called Page to Stage. Castmembers from our summer produc-tions travel to area libraries as part oftheir summer reading programs withthe hopes to inspire imaginations andinstill a love for the arts. Allowing chil-dren the opportunity to see charactersjump from the page of their favorite sto-rybook and the words come to life be-fore their very own eyes is trulyinvaluable.” The theater company’s $375.00 feewas paid for from funds generated byElementary Thespians. (This was an el-ementary drama program directed byBerni Crow that entertained audiencesfor nine years). Finch Memorial librarywas also a contributor and sponsor.

“Madagascar” comes to town

With movable arms and talking to the kids, this talented actor was one of the four penguins eliciting responses from the crowdat the recent Page to Stage presentation at the community center.

Photo/Jessica Tickle

By Berni Crow Children (parents and grandparents) at-tending were active participants andclearly loved joining in. Each child alsoreceived a FREE ticket to the upcomingperformances of “Madagascar the Musi-cal”. “Madagascar the Musical” will showJune 22nd through July 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.at Yaney Heritage Park (Cope Amphithe-ater) in Kearney. After the program,children were treated to delicious cook-ies made by ladies from the libraryboard. What a fun event for all in atten-dance. Other productions that CraneRiver Theater Company has preparedfor the summer are: “The Boys NextDoor” which played early in June, andtwo future events are “Annie” and “Cel-ebrate Broadway in Concert”.

Board hearsgood news; appoints villagesuperintendentEnough funds have been raised to pur-chase the playground structure for 2 to5 year-olds. This was the good news re-ported by AEDC Director Cheryl Carsonat the June 11 village board meeting.The cost of the structure is $7,512.00and will be purchased from SterlingWest in Gothenburg. Carson said therewas a significant discount of 40 percentoff the new structure, as well as 50 per-cent cut in the shipping cost, for anoverall savings of $5,208.00. Money will continue to be raised topurchase the remaining items needed,including a merry-go-round, frame-chains and brackets for toddler swingsand rubber crumb mulch for the playarea. The total amount needed is$25,167.80. Carson said anyone wishingto donate money for park improve-ments can send donations to the AEDCoffice and designate them for theArnold City Park.

Grant ApprovedIncluded in her update, Carson saidthe AEDC recommended a $1,000.00grant be issued to Triangle Lanes to ac-company a loan from the AEDC revolv-ing loan fund. Board membersapproved and voted to issue a check.

Superintendent HiredBoard members voted to appoint DougDe Laune as village superintendent andset an hourly wage. The board alsovoted to advertise for a full time utilityemployee.

Ordinance TabledThe board considered and tabled anordinance limiting the amount of ani-mals, including horses, mules, donkeys,llamas, alpacas, cows, sheep, goats, os-triches, emus or rheas, to two animalunits per two-tenths of an acre and inno event exceeding five animal unitsper acre. The distance that the animalsare to be maintained from residentialstructures or place of business would re-main the same at 100 feet. At the May 14meeting, Shane Cool expressed con-cerns regarding the definition of con-fined livestock according to zoningregulations. The board asked Doug DeLaune, zoning administrator, to meetwith Cool regarding the matter.In other business, the board:• Approved Jakes Horses and HarleysGrill’s application for a special desig-

At their June 12 regular meeting, theArnold Board of Education authorizedthe superintendent to sign a letter of in-tent with the Trane Company. Superin-tendent Lewis said the District intendsto enter into a Guaranteed Energy Sav-ings Contract with an Energy SavingsCompany (ESCO) to implement energyand operational savings projects thatmay include improving the learning en-vironment at the school. The mainfocus of signing the agreement is theHVAC system in the old building, butthe contract will be vague to allow look-ing at the whole building to includeprojects that may be needed. Some pre-“work” has already been included, andthe intent is to have a plan in placewithin 3-6 weeks. The school will notpay for anything until the contract issigned by the superintendent.

Building Value IncreasesHeather Harwager of Arnold Insur-ance Agency gave an insurance presen-tation. The school’s building is valued at1.8 million higher than last year, result-ing in a $422.99 increase in premiums.The insurance policy was approved bythe board.

Superintendent’s ReportDr. Lewis reported that Heather Ha-gler has been hired as secretary, andRose Bierman as head cook. During themeeting, an update was given on thepurchase of a Bluebird mini bus worth$1,800 more than originally ordered,but one year newer for the same price.In other business, the board:• Raised school lunch prices to $2.50for elementary, $2.75 for high schooland $3.75 for adult lunches. The in-crease was made according to the PaidLunch Equity tool.• After reviewing two bids from An-derson and Pella, approved the pur-chase of Pella egress windows to installin the elementary classroom wing. ThePella windows are two square feet largerthan Andersons and include internalblinds.• Approved the community center useagreement for the 2018-19 school year.

School boardsigns letter of intent

Continued on page 2.