News

Members of the Gibbon Chamber of Commerce and special guest Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Froth and Fizz located along Highway 30 in Gibbon in the former R and R Mini Mart building. Attending the ribbon cutting were, left to right, Sheriff Miller, Gibbon Mayor Deb VanMatre, Chamber members Jamie Yendra, Abbie Lambert, and Derrick Clevenger, Froth and Fizz owners Riley Chramosta and Dru Chramosta, and Chamber members Bob Krier, Trevor Reeder and Larry Homan. (–photo by Steve Glenn)

The community of Gibbon kicked off its celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Soldier’s Free Homestead Colony with a program at the Gibbon Heritage Center on Wednesday, April 7. Kevin McGregor (top left) served as the Master of Ceremonies for the program which featured the reading of winning essays by Delaney Tracy (bottom left) and Natalie Contreras; and the reading of a speech, “Then and Now,” that was presented at the 50th anniversary celebration in 1921 by colony ancestor Laura Moore (top right). Gibbon Mayor Deb VanMatre read and presented a proclamation about the anniversary to Mr. McGregor (bottom right). Also featured during the program was a rendition of “America” and “God Be With You” by Kathy Pierce, accompanied by Deb Van-Matre on the organ; recorded songs, “Homeward Bond” and “The Water Is Wide,” performed by the Gibbon High Choir; a prayer and benediction by Gibbon Baptist Church Pastor Taylor Shippy; a roll call of colonists read by colony ancestor Marilyn Hain; the history of early Gibbon presented by colony descendent Daralyn Benge; a few words by Buffalo County Historical Society Community Engagement Director Broc Anderson; and closing remarks by Gibbon 150th Committee member Jean Widdowson. More events celebrating Gibbon’s 150th anniversary are planned to be held throughout the remainder of this year.

The annual Shelton Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Young and Spirited Club and Shelton American Legion, was held in Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, April 3. Shelton High School students Amanda Gillming, Yesenia Garcia, Callee Carman, Bailey Brumfield, Trista Summers, Angel Urbina, and McKenzie Baker lent a hand in order to gain community service hours.