GFWC Seward Nebraska

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

SHS Sophomores Katie Daniels and Sophie Hemphill were the designated students to report to the GFWC Seward Womans Club on their recent experience as the Sophomore Pilgrims to the State Capitol on April 1, 2026. There were seven students from SHS that attended and all were invited to report, but due to school and personal conflicts, Katie and Sophie volunteered to make the report to the GFWC Seward Womans Club-their sponsor for the event.

The students were selected in the fall through application and interview process. Students attending were Linus Beck of Germany-the SHS Rotary International Student, Carly Kolterman, Sophie Hemphill, Kathrine Daniels, Jordyn Samuels, Jacey Forbes, and Mackenna Wollenburg.

05/13/2026

Dick Rhodes Receives the GFWC Seward Womans Club “USA-250” History Hero Award

Local Utica resident, Dick Rhodes is the May recipient of the GFWC Seward Womans Club’s “USA-250” “History Hero”Award presented at Spring Luncheon meeting at the Seward Civic Center, in their Clubroom on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The award recognizes an individual that has dedicated much of their time to the preservation of both local history or history in general and given in celebration of the United States 250thAnniversary in 2026.
One “USA-250” History Hero” Award is given each month of 2026. His nomination stated, “Dick is an outstanding, dedicated volunteer at the Seward County Historical Society Museum in Goehner. He is well known in his community for his kindness and true sense of history and the preservationhistory. He loves to share the stories that relate to many of the items in the Seward Co Historical Society Museum and Dick can be found at the museum almost every day-volunteering in some form or manner.
He is very involved in the community of Utica and one of those to call when a project asks for leadership. He has enjoyed assisting with various improvement efforts at the local Utica Cemetery, as well as the Utica Senior Center over the years.
Dick’s love for hunting and fishing sparked a dedication to the local “Ducks Unlimited” program in Seward County-promoting the conservation efforts by those area volunteers.
One of his avid hobbies is his membership in the Nebraska Metal Detecting Club, and he is assisted and coordinated a major “treasurer” hunt in the Hastings area several years ago.
His real passion today is history-a passion that has developed and grown over the years. He loves to share history, collects and sell antiques and is very concerned with the preservation of local history-as well as Civil War history. He is a board member of the Seward County Historical Society-currently serving as the SCHS museum President and longtime “working volunteer” at the local Seward County Historical Society Museum in Goehner. He loves to “set a goal and see it through” as he stated ‘that goal setting concept can happen at the SCHS Museum, as there a many projects and ideas that need attention and can easily be accomplished.”
He lives by the motto “We all need to be determined!”
“Dick Rhodes is our “go to guy” –the first we call, regardless of the project. He is insightful and creative, positive in attitude and always willing to share his knowledge of history,” state Sue Imig representing the Seward County Historical Society. “He knows history and he knows many people to ask if he doesn’t know the answer. He is most deserving of this award.”
“Because of his dedication as a true volunteer, the GFWC Seward Womans Club is honored to name Dick Rhodes of Utica, the May 2026 recipient of the “USA-250” “History Hero”Award,’” and wishes him continued success on his quest to share the messages of our history,” noted GFWC Seward Woman’s Club President Bonnie Kruse. “He reflects all that this award represents, and we thank him for being a real “History Hero!”

05/11/2026

The GFWC Seward Women’s Club won the State “Impact” Award

The Community Improvement Award - as the 2026 Nebraska Representative in the National Contest. The contest covers the 2024-2026 Club years.

The award was announced at the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Woman’s Club’s State Convention in Lincoln by Bernie Baumert - GFWC NFWC State GFWC “Impact” Contest Chairman. The project was entered into the National Contest , Representing The State of Nebraska by Bernie Baumert - of the GFWC Howells Woman’s Club.

The GFWC Seward Womans Club entered their “Christmas Festival” activities held in conjunction with the Seward Christmas Festival. They sponsored “The Festival of Trees,” the “Gingerbread House Making” event and “Gingerbread House Decorating”Contests, the “Pop-Up Cookbook Store” for “Project Hope” Abuse Center and the “Mitten Tree” for the City Mission. Co-chair for the annual event are Ellen Chaffin and Rene’ Chandler.

The state award includes a $100 Impact cash prize. The national winners will be announced in June.

05/11/2026

Seward High Freshman, Kennedy Meinberg shared her experiences as the reigning “Miss Nebraska Cowgirl Queen” at the recent Spring Luncheon meeting of the GFWC Seward Womans Club on May 9th in the Seward Civic Center at their Clubroom. She is the daughter of Charli and Jesse Meinberg and lives outside of Seward, near Goehner.

Her goal is to promote the western way of life, rodeo and agriculture. She will travel across the state representing Nebraska Rodeo and the Beg Red Elite IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association), qualifying for national competition in Ft. Worth, Texas in June of 2026.

She spoke on the selection process for the honor, as she not only competed individually, but with her horse- “Ozzie,” a black and white Paint gelding. She was required to participate in a “Reining Pattern” that is NRHA approved, where she had to circle with her horse, spin and work at a fast pace. She also had to demonstrate various riding patterns such as the “Flag Arena Run,” and the “Queen Wave.” She noted that she does enjoy barrel racing, but it was not part of this competition.

She also was involved in community outreach and visited a local pre-school and elementary school, promoting the program and read a children’s book -titled “Perseverance” at each education center.

One of her successful community service projects was a “raffle” to raise funds and to support the Nebraska Wildfire Relief Fund, which she sold out of tickets!

She commented that this queen contest does not involve a national competition, however she will attend several national equestrian events this summer. She also is excited to be in the Seward Fourth of July parade with her horse “Ozzie.” Her school plans after high school are yet to be determined-since she is a high school freshman, however, she really feels her plans will include some aspect of Animal Science. She really enjoyed being part of the SHS FFA program in Seward this school year.

Questions and answers followed and she was presented with a check to support her activities and help cover some of her expenses by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club.

“The members of the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club are excited to see such a positive young woman represent Seward and happy to support her outreach program and opportunity,” stated Bonnie Kruse, President of the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club. “Anytime our club can showcase youth, it is a win-win, as the student gains from the experience and our membership is excited to hear success stories involving area youth.”

Kennedy thanked the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club for asking her to share her story and looks forward to representing Seward across the state and Midwest this summer.

GFWC Seward Woman’s Club President, Bonnie Kruse, presents a check to Kennedy Meinberg, Miss Nebraska Cowgirl Queen-2026.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

04/27/2026

2026 Friend of Tree Award Winner

Gerald Meyer - honored as 2026 “Friend of Trees” at our Arbor Day event.

04/22/2026

After our April meeting, the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club toured the Concordia University’s “Bartel’s Rock Museum,” presented by former CU History and Geography Professor Dr. Jack Kinworthy and his wife Judy. They welcomed the club members to the museum, located in the lower level of Concordia’s Link Library at 1:00 on Saturday afternoon - April 11th.

Dr. Kinworthy shared the history of the museum, created by the late Walter and Ella Bartels of Clarina, Iowa. The Bartels spent the better part of three decades accumulating the pieces in their collection, building the displays and attending gem and mineral shows.

04/17/2026

Deb Stahly is Named the April “USA-250” History Hero by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club

Longtime volunteer for the Seward County Historical Society, Deb Stahly of Milford, was awarded the April “USA-250” History Hero by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club at the regular meeting on Saturday, April 11 at the Seward Civic Center at noon. Her husband, Bill was also in attendance.

In the absence of the Club President, Bonnie Kruse, the award was presented by Angela Belew, the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club Vice President. Deb and her husband Bill are both devoted volunteers to the history facility and Deb also serves as a Board Member for the SCHS and the Treasurer as well. She is the volunteer “Social Media” person for the Society and volunteers weekly to update and
change displays, create new interests and host guests on tours. She was a key volunteer for the annual Car Show fundraiser for the museum and volunteers often when the museum is open during the weekends on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

She is also very interested in maintaining the rural cemeteries of Seward County and giving these special areas the respect that they deserve. She is the “go to person” for all of the computer needs at the SCHS museum in Goehner and recently updated a special exhibit featuring the embroidery and lace featured in the museum's holdings. She was a volunteer for the recent successful Statehood Day at the Museum, promoting the various exhibits to the hundreds of Fourth Grade students in Seward County.

The GFWC Seward Woman’s Club’s motto is promotion of volunteerism and Deb Stahly reflects the extraordinary volunteer! Deb was presented with a framed, signed certificate of appreciation by the members of the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and
thanked for being a wonderful example of service to promote and preserve Seward County history. The theme of the “USA-250” – the 250th Birthday of the United States is “One Nation-Many Stories.” Deb is helping Seward County Historical Society preserve
those stories and she is to be recognized and thanked.

04/15/2026

SHS Sophomore Pilgrims Visit State Capitol at NFWC Sophomore Pilgrimage 2026. Seven Seward High Sophomores were selected to represent SHS at the annual Sophomore Pilgrimage held every spring at the State Capitol, sponsored by the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs, Inc. The local students are funded and sponsored by the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club, the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the School District of Seward High Ability Learner Program and the School District of Seward.

They visited the Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 for their
pilgrimage. The GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs is the state affiliate for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Inc.
The students were selected in the fall through application and an interview process.

The students were addressed by the elected officials and representatives from the state’s elected offices including the Governor Jim Pillen, Clerk of the Legislature-Brandon Metzler, Secretary of State-Bob Evnen, Ne Attorney General-Mike Hilgers, Deputy Nebraska State Auditor-Craig Kubicek, Senator Julie Slama-District 1, and State Treasurer-Tom Briese, along with their own senator, Senator Jana Hughes and her staff from District #24.

They watched the proceedings of the Nebraska Legislature. They ate lunch at the Governor’s Mansion, toured the State Capitol and visited the Nebraska Supreme Court by Judge Riko Bishop-Court of Appeals. The annual Sophomore Pilgrimage was created by the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs, Inc over three decades ago but the late Jean Kolterman and the program
has been recognized nationally. Seward High has participated in this “pilgrimage” every year since it was created over 30 + years ago.

Photo: Photo in Governor’s Mansion with Senator Hughes
L-R Linus Beck of Germany-the SHS Rotary International Student, Carly Kolterman, Sophie Hemphill, Kathrine Daniels, Senator Jana Hughes, Jordyn Samuels, Jacey Forbes, and Mackenna Wollenburg, and the teacher/sponsor for the event - Mr. Trevor Menke-
SHS High School History Teacher.

Photo with the students in front of the Capitol
L-R Back Row Carly Kolterman, Linus Beck-of Germany Middle Row
Jacey Forbes, Sophie Hemphill, Mackenna Wollenburg Front Row
Jordyn Samuels, Katherine Daniels