Ethan Boggs (left) was at the Ainsworth Public Library on Monday, June 13th to present his Boggs Balloon Twisting Show. Around 50 participants showed up to watch Boggs and his assistant tell animal stories while twisting balloons into animal shapes. Each child who wanted a balloon animal received one to take home. The event was sponsored by the Central Plains Library System and the Ainsworth Public Library.

Taco or Chef Salad Available Thursday, June 23rd: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, carrots, peaches, bread and milk. Friday, June 24th: Liver and onions/beef, cubed potatoes, corn, applesauce, bread and milk.

Walking recently on a trail through the woods with a group of 15-year-olds and a group of 9-year-olds on separate hikes was a very illuminating experience. The group of 15-year-olds all had their phones at the ready and took frequent selfies and chatted with one another but seemed largely oblivious of the natural beauty around them. The 9-year-olds, on the other hand, were excited by everything: a large fallen tree was something they just had to examine and were especially curious about the large root structure and the hollow in the ground it produced when the tree fell. These 9-year-olds were enthusiastic about everything, from rocks with moss growing on them, to the squirrels scampering around on the forest floor. When we got to the edge of the nearby lake, the 15-year-olds sat on some rocks, took more selfies, and wondered when we were going back home. The 9-year-olds, upon reaching the same lake, immediately went down to the water’s edge and started exploring. The contrast between the two groups was obvious: younger children see things with new eyes and are genuinely curious and enthusiastic whereas teenagers become jaded and more focused on themselves. Being childlike is recommended in the Bible, and I wonder if at least part of that recommendation is the innocence, wonder, and enthusiasm which they have for God’s creation. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV

It appears we will have another hot and windy day. Carol Woods has 86 degrees at 9:00 a.m. We sure need rain. The wind does keep the mosquitoes away. Carol has been watering. Surprisingly the roses seem to look pretty. Carol also had a lot of new pretty iris recently that her brother, Jim, had planted.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released Nebraska’s May employment data. Nebraska’s employment set another record high of 1,042,762. This is the 11th straight month of record employment in the state. Additionally, Nebraska’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in the nation, and in state history, at 1.9 percent.

Each year American Legion Post #79 conducts an Unserviceable Flag Ceremony on Flag Day. The ceremony was held at the Legion Post in Ainsworth on Tuesday, June 14th at 7:30 p.m.