Home Welcome By the Numbers Our Door is Always Open Fremont Area Chamber Small Business, Big Dreams Education Getting Fit Map of Fremont Home for the Homeless Housing Your First Stop for Business News Briefs Recreation Churches Seasonal Events       home | fremont news | chamber of commerce | sponsors | contact us News ... BRIEFS Lakeside Summer Fun Fremont is host to the third most popular tourist attraction in Nebraska. More than 800,000 people every year utilize the more than 20 lakes for camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife, providing the outdoor persons dream. Come to the Fremont State Recreation Area and enjoy more than 660 acres of outdoor life. Swim at one of several beaches, cruise in your boat, rent a canoe or zip around on a jet ski. Whatever your pleasure, you can find it just outside of Fremont’s city limits. Thrill Seekers Hill Kids of all ages take to the slopes at Clemmons Park after a good snow. Thanks to community donations, the hill can be available even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. A snow machine can lay down a layer of the white stuff. One Roof, Four Walls, Nine Days While the work of the Fremont Area Habitat For Humanity may be well known in the area, a special project of the organization may not be, said the Rev. Mike Thomas, co-chairman of the 2006 Blitz Build committee. “This is where we are able to build a house from the ground up within a week,” Thomas said. Main construction of the house at 341 E. 10th ran for just nine days completed by a dedication on Sept. 17, 2006. “Usually, the building process takes several months,” Thomas said. “We start in the spring and build during the summer with a dedication in the fall. But the speed of the project isn’t the only aspect of the Blitz Build that makes it different than traditional Habitat projects, he said. “These involve churches,” he continued. “Churches provide the funding, volunteers, food and prayer. There is a prayer before each work session - morning and afternoon. Churches provide the support for the blitz. That’s unique.” This is the third blitz house for the Fremont Area Habitat For Humanity, said Habitat executive director Karen Melang. Other blitz projects were done in 1999 and 2002. “One of the new congregations to the coalition this year was Living Word Church in Fremont,” he said. “They have a small congregation of about 60 members who raised $1,000. That’s exciting to me. But this idea is growing. We have a lot of congregations involved this year that weren’t involved three years ago.” The Blitz Build project utilized the resources of more than 100 volunteers. “There are so many aspects of Habitat,” he said. “This is a Christian, nonprofit organization that is really worthy of support and involvement by the community.” ‘Thank You Fremont’ A former Fremonter was elected as Governor of Nebraska after defeating US Rep. Tom Osborne in 2006. “Fremont and Dodge County were absolutely critical to our victory,” Heineman said. “A 3,500-vote margin, that was critical to have that magnitude.” Heineman feels that the governor’s position provides opportunity to make Nebraska an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Heineman said Fremont has been instrumental in his development as a political leader “I want to thank all my friends in Fremont and Dodge County for the support they’ve given me,” he said. “Mayor (‘Skip’) Edwards and the city council were absolutely great to me when I served on the council. Everyone has been so supportive. Without the Fremont community, I couldn’t have made it. I owe them a special debt of gratitude.” Heineman file Dave Heineman, elected governor in 2006, after being appointed to the position in 2005 when Gov. Mike Johannes was appointed US Secretary of Agriculture. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, graduated from Wahoo High School in 1966. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1970. Served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1970-75. Heineman, a Republican, served on the Fremont city council from 1990-94; as Nebraska state treasurer from 1995-2001; was appointed lieutenant governor in 2001, and elected to that office in 2002. Previously managed the Fremont office of former U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter; served as chief administrative aide to former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub, as executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party and as former president, National Association of State Treasurers. Tooting Our Own Horn Every year the Fremont Midland Entertainment Series brings world-class performers to the city. National and international acts routinely grace the stages of the Fremont High School Auditorium and Midland Lutheran College’s new Event Center for Athletics and Conferencing as well as MLC’s Kimmel Theatre. Some of the recent performers include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dallas Brass (photo), Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, Barbary Coast Dixieland Band and many more. For more information on the FMES events, please contact Midland Lutheran College (402) 721-5480. Young at Heart The Summer of 2006 brought about a monumental time for the city of Fremont: Its 150th birthday party. Tens of thousands of Fremont and area residents enjoyed more than a month of activities, beginning in July with John C. Fremont Days, which annually attracts more than 100,000 visitors. In August, Fremont musicians and thespians performed a traditional 19th century variety show complete with costume and stage. To culminate the celebration came a re-enactment of the stake driving beginning Fremont’s rich history, as well as an afternoon long Picnic in the Park with free concerts, art show and kid’s activities. The proverbial lighting of the cake came on the evening of August 26, with an awe inspiring fireworks show worth in excess of $20,000! Proceeds from the 150th Celebration will go toward the creation of a monument that will be placed in the Johnson Park area as part of Fremont’s “Front Door.” Just over 150 years of age, the city of Fremont shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Fremont is gaining speed! Healthy Growth Fremont Area Medical Center expands to meet the changing needs of their patients. Slated for completion in the fall of 2008, the new radiology and imaging center, which will provide greater convenience and access for patients and families, additional privacy, optimal service space for existing services, and space for new services for area residents. A dedicated, separate Women’s Imaging Center will also be located in the new structure. The most recent growth spurt began in 2000, with a state-of-the-art Surgery Department. In 2002, a new Heart Catheterization Lab followed. Then, the Joint Center, a progressive concept in recovery from knee, hip and shoulder replacement surgery, was added in 2002. In 2003, a new Emergency Department was completed. And, 2003 also marked the grand opening of Health Park Plaza, adding more than 35,000 square feet of space for Cancer Services and a Health Education Center. Today, the FAMC has but one goal: to improve the quality of life for those they serve. This was the guiding vision of their founding fathers, who chartered Dodge County Hospital in 1940. FAMC has also received numerous awards, including the Premier Award for Quality in the area of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) by the Premier Inc. Healthcare Alliance. FAMC is only one of 42 hospitals to be recognized nationwide and the only one in Nebraska. For more information: www.famc.org May Museum Enlightened For the past several months, those going past May Museum on Nye Avenue have been able to step back into time. Historic reproductions of five-globe street lights that once graced downtown Fremont were installed in 2005. May Museum director Patty Manhart worked with Valmont Inc. of Valley to recreate the cast iron lights, which originally were made by the Fremont Foundry. Manhart credits Jim Gibney, a past president of the Dodge County Historical Society — owners of the museum — with finding and fixing one of the original lights. “The greatest thing about these are they are in perfect proportion,” Manhart said. “So many new lighting fixtures are not proportionally correct. Manhart said the lights should last a lifetime and has a bigger dream. “I would love it if the rest of the street could be done like this,” she said, adding that decision is up to homeowners. In addition to celebrating the new lights, Manhart took a few moments to honor the museum’s lifetime members. Originally constructed in 1874 by Theron Nye, this 25 room mansion was purchased in the late 60s by the Louis E. May Trust and has been the official museum of Dodge County since 1970. This home features uniquely carved woodwork, floors and mantles, accented by period furniture, clothing and other historical items. Hours are 1:30-4:30 p.m., Wed.-Sun. home | fremont news | chamber of commerce | sponsors | contact us