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May 6, 2009
HARTINGTON— A chartered bus filled with tourists stopped off in Cedar County for a sip of wine last Saturday afternoon.
Nissen Wine, which is tucked in the rolling hills of northern Cedar County, welcomed over 25 guests that were on a tour sponsored by Northeast Nebraska RC&D.
The Wine and Wayfaring Tour included several stops in South Dakota and Northeast Nebraska on May 2.
A portable bar along with tables and chairs were set up alongside the vineyard at one of the Nissen Wine sites just south of the Hwy 57/12 junction.
Dave and Tim Nissen offered samples of five different wines to their guests.
Anita Miller, Neligh, who was with the tour group, said she enjoyed the wine tasting.
“I am impressed with the operation here,” said Miller. “I think these wines, right here in Nebraska, are superior to the California wines.”
Shirley Kehne, Winnetoon, said the information on growing grapes was very informative, as well.
Nissen Wine is a family owned and operated winery with 12 acres of wine grapes and four acres of stone fruits planted on the 400 acre family farm.
Dave and Tim’s venture into a new business came about for a number of reasons.
Dave, who has a degree in horticulture, has worked in the garden center industry for over 20 years and was ready to try something new.
Tim had the ground to use and he was looking for something that would stimulate the economic growth in the community.
“And we like wine,” Dave said. Countless hours were spent on research and experiments to determine which varieties complement the calcium rich, rocky soils along with the climate here.
“We needed something winter hardy and that will grow around here,” said Dave.
The Nissen brothers planted their first commercial wine grapes in the spring of 2003 and additional vines have been added each year since then.
The Nissens converted an older building and installed stainless steel equipment for the fermentation and storage areas.
Labels, corks and capsules were purchased.
Inspections were done by the State Health Department, State Fire Marshall along with other State and the Federal government entities.
May 6, 2009
HARTINGTON — Graduation ceremonies will be a little bit different at Cedar Catholic High School this year.
Graduation has been moved out of Holy Trinity Church and into Msgr. Werner Activity Center this year.
The graduation Mass, which has typically accompanied the commencement exercises has also been moved.
A special Graduation Mass was held May 5, followed by a Senior Breakfast at the school.
Seniors will meet their Prayer Friends at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Heine Learning Center, and Commencement Exercises are then slated to begin at 7 p.m.
May 6, 2009
FORDYCE — Local students from West Catholic Elementary recently gained the opportunity to demonstrate their public speaking skills and take pride in personal accomplishments.
The kids took part in a speech contest sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America, a national provider of fraternal financial services and programs. Students competing in the contest, held at West Catholic, shared their presentations on this year’s topic, “a Person Who touched Many Lives.”
The winners were Andy Schieffer, first place; Taylor Lammers, second place; and James Kaiser, third place. Each of them received a trophy and a gold award pin and their names will be engraved on the school’s speech contest plaque.
The first and second place winners participated in the District / Level 2 contest at Yankton.
