City/area digest

Nebraska Lottery honors retailers

COLUMBUS -- The Nebraska Lottery held presentations to recognize two retailers in Columbus Monday.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Nebraska Lottery, which sold its first scratch ticket on Sept. 11, 1993. Since that date, over $319 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds, supporting projects in all 93 counties in the state. To celebrate this milestone, the Lottery is recognizing its Top 50 retailers based on overall sales.

Included in the Top 50 are Cuzzin’s Corner and Joe and Al’s Grocery, both of which received an award of recognition.

Annual Fur Ball scheduled tonight

COLUMBUS -- The Platte Valley Humane Society will hold its annual Fur Ball beginning at 6:30 p.m. today.

This year’s event will be a Big Red Tailgate Party at the Izaak Walton Lodge at the junction of Highways 30 and 81. There will be a social hour (bring your own beverage) followed by a tailgate buffet at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person; proceeds will be used to update the heating and air conditioning in the dog kennel area.

Special guest Josh Mueller, former tight end and special teams player for the Nebraska football team, also will be on hand. A raffle of football related items will be held and there will be some animals available for adoption. Also for raffle are two tickets to the NU-Missouri game Oct. 4.

For reservations or more information, call Mandy Hughes at (402) 910-3688 or Gail Mead at 564-2019.

Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show set

SCHUYLER -- The 31st annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the St. Augustine Parish Hall, 603 Chicago Street.

Three dealers will be selling supplies, crystals, stones, and providing general jewelry repair. Event will also include hourly door prizes, ongoing silent auction, and a lunch stand. Working demonstrations on jewelry making, wire wrapping and fossil preparation will take place throughout both days.

On Sunday there will be a special field trip to a local gravel pit; departure will be from St. Augustine’s at 11:30 a.m. Admission for the show is $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 12 and over, and under 12 are free.

The event is sponsored by the Loup Valley Gem and Mineral Society.

Ambassadors to be at CHS Saturday

COLUMBUS -- The internationally acclaimed Harlem Ambassadors will be visiting Columbus for a game at Columbus High School Gym at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Harlem Ambassadors offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines.

The Ambassadors feature non-stop laughs and deliver a positive message for kids wherever the Ambassadors play.

Purchase tickets at Hy-Vee, Joe and Al’s, Super Saver, Linn Family Chiropractic and the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.

Extravaganza slated Saturday

COLUMBUS -- Immanuel Lutheran School families and supporters are currently seeking donations for the 2008 Immanuel Lutheran School Extravaganza to be held Saturday.

This event will be at the Immanuel Family Life Center and it will include a silent auction, catered prime rib dinner, and the evening will conclude after the grand auction.

Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase contact Jane at 564-4078. Auction items or monetary donations can be made by contacting Cara at 564-3954 or Jacque at 910-4399.

Divine Mercy dinner Sunday

SCHUYLER -- Divine Mercy Parish will hold its annual bazaar and roast pork and polish sausage dinner from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday in St. Mary’s Social Center, 308 West 10th St.

Prices are $7 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and no charge for children 5 and under. Event will also include a raffle, silent auction, cakewalk and country store.

For more information, call St. Mary’s Parish at (402) 352-3540.

Scott concerts slated for weekend

COLUMBUS -- Rachel Scott will be in concert with a new CD release at 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Central Community College Theater.

Scott’s newest release “Resolution” will be available at the concert.

Tickets are on sale for $5 at the Columbus Hy-Vee. Tickets, if available, will be $7 at the door on the nights of the concert.

Scott also will appear at the Word of Life Church in Columbus at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Scott’s other CDs that will also be available at the CCC-C concerts include Home To Me and Rachel Scott Christmas.

Scott received a bachelor of fine arts in vocal performance from the University of Nebraska and calls Omaha home where she and her husband of 10 years raise their three boys.

According to information on Scott’s MySpace page, she is currently working with producer Dave Lubben on her first release with Tent Creative Group which is expected to be available Friday.

DivorceCare to get started Monday

COLUMBUS -- DivorceCare, a Christ-based 13-week video program, will begin meeting from 7-9 p.m. Monday nights Sept. 22 through Dec. 22 at Peace Lutheran Church.

DivorceCare helps people find help, discover hope, and experience healing as they move through the difficulties related to separation and divorce. This is a nondenominational group dealing with topics such as anger, loneliness and forgiveness. Each session is “self-contained” so participants can begin attending any week.

For more information, call Kathleen at 276-2741.