TODAY: The Peterson Senior Activity Center in Kearney will reopen and resume normal hours on Monday, June 22.
TODAY: Kearney swimming pools will be opening up. The facilities will be sanitized between each open session.
Kearney Cinema 8 has reopened after being closed for more than three months due to the pandemic. For movie listings go to www.kearneycinema.com
NEBRASKA GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE:
UPDATE: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has announced a phased approach to continue opening more areas and exhibits at the Zoo. These decisions are based on the most recent health and safety guidelines provided by the governor’s office. With capacity limits increasing to 10,000 for the Zoo as a whole and indoor spaces increasing to 50 percent of rated capacity, the Zoo is preparing to open indoor exhibits for guests. As the Zoo waits for official approval of building opening plans by the Douglas County Health Department, guests will begin to see changes next week. According to officials, two-way pedestrian traffic will be allowed on pathways, which also means the Main Entrance can be used for both entry and exit of the Zoo, while the North Gate will remain exit only for now. The Gift Shop will open and concessions will increase operations. Drinking fountains and water refill stations will remain unavailable, as well as the tram service. A limited supply of stroller, wagon, ECVs and wheelchair rentals will be available. Skyfari will begin operating on a limited schedule this weekend, with increased sanitation and cleaning.
TOMORROW: A free family fishing event will be held by the Kearney Archway and the Nebraska Firefighters Museum on June 23. The event will be held at the pond located by the I-80 Exit 275. Participants can fish from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. No previous experience or registration is required. Poles and tackle are provided, courtesy of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Signs in the Archway Parkway will direct participants to the trailer where they can pick up their equipment. Staff from the Archway and Firefighters Museum will get everyone started and be available to help throughout the event.
FRIDAY: The Hastings Sodbusters baseball team will start the 2020 season on June 26th in Hastings against the Fremont Moo. First pitch will be at 6:35pm at Duncan Field. For ticket information go to www.hastingssodbusters.com
The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s combined 2020 Spring and Summer Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31. To support COVID-19 directed health response, it is being planned as an outdoor event on Foster Field at Cope Stadium. The event will begin at 10 a.m. In support of current safety protocol and to meet facility capacity requirements, in-person attendance will be limited to no more than three invited guests per graduate.
Drive-in movies in Kearney will continue at sundown when The World Theatre will team up with the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. The World plans to book family-oriented films and old drive-in favorites, such as “Goonies,” “E.T.” and “Grease.” The World will sell advance tickets, the cost which has not been determined, for $20 or $25 per car. Gates will open at 8 p.m. and the movie will begin at sundown. Films will be shown Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through the summer.
Mobile food pantries providing free food are offered in the area every two weeks by the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska in cooperation with the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. Drivers should remain in their vehicles while masked volunteers load groceries. Food pickups, by appointment only, begin at 9:30 a.m. Call Kyla Martin at 308-440-0153 to set up a time. The pantries rotate to serve Buffalo, Custer, Dawson, Hall, Kearney and Phelps counties. Future dates include: June 26, Community Action Partnership Food Bank, Kearney.
Enjoy an outdoor adventure with family or friends. and engage in healthy recreation — and possibly win prizes. The Great Park Pursuit is a free program encouraging participants to visit up to 20 official sites across the state, consisting of community, regional, state and federal parks. Participants register a team of up to 10 people online and then follow clues from the website or Great Park Pursuit mobile app to find a program post located somewhere within a park area. Once they find the post, the team can use the mobile app to mark their visit, or make a pencil impression of the post to prove they were there. A number of prizes are up for grabs, including Nebraska state park entry permits for 2021, an iPad and the grand prize, an outdoor recreation package valued at $1,500. Prizes and entry into drawings are based on the number of post impressions that teams collect, or the number of park visits they mark on the mobile app. For more information and to register, visit negpp.org. The Great Park Pursuit app is available at the Apple iStore and on Google Play for Android.
Stuhr Museum is re-opening, after being closed during one of the busiest times of the year. The museum’s executive director said they’re taking several steps due to the coronavirus, including temperature checks and asking visitors to wear masks. They also have hand washing stations set up at the living history museum in Grand Island. Classes are underway and starting June 15, members can visit. Monday, June 22 they’ll reopen to the public.
The Nebraska Passport for 2020 program is underway. Travelers will have from June 1 through October 31 to visit attractions and receive stamps, according to Nebraska Tourism. Due to COVID-19 some stops have had to adjust their business hours and some will be reopening at a date later than June 1, so check for updates before beginning your travels. Passports will be available at participating stops starting June 1 or can be ordered at NebraskaPassport.com.
The Archway in Kearney has will reopened to visitors. The hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of The Archway.
The Sumner 4th of July Celebration is still on with revisions due to COVID-19. The whole celebration will kick off on Saturday, June 27th with the traditional Co-Ed Sand Volleyball Tournament and the 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament. On Sunday the 28th, we will have the Commercial Club Dinner (Picnic), Toad & Turtle Race and Ice Cream Social with the Sumner EMT’s. Cool off with the SEM Cross Country team during the Splash Run 5k and 1 mile at 5 pm on the 28th. An evening cruise night on the 4th (starts at 6 pm) we hope you will come cruise and stick around for the Fireworks! There are two performances of the Rodeo on the 3rd at 7:30 pm and on the 4th at 1:30 pm. The afternoon of the 4th starting at 3 pm there will be Bingo at the Community Hall and Live Entertainment in Sumner Park. And FOOD TRUCKS – BBQ and FUNNEL CAKES The celebration will wrap up with the Fireworks at the Sumner Ball Field at dusk. There will be concessions from Kappel Electric 8-9:30. Visit their Facebook for more.
Keep yourself safe in these times, show your Husker spirit, AND help Nebraska Food Banks. Husker Face Masks are on sale right now at the shop at NRG sister property huskermax.com. The masks are handmade, available in four styles! GO HERE: http://www.shophuskermax.com/houndsmax-huskers-mask