Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Students and faculty at Sidney High School's Weymouth Field watched as the moon began to cross in front of the sun, using their protective glasses over their phones to capture the celestial event. A viewing event was also held at Sidney Public Library, and across Sidney people sat on porches and in front of businesses to watch. At roughly 11:45, the moon covered about 95 percent of the sun. In the dimness, the temperature dropped and strong winds delivered a chill.
Held in June, Gold Rush Days gave residents a chance to see how things were done at the time Sidney was formed. Demonstrations, like the blacksmith above, and skits recreated activities experienced in the 1870s.
GOVERNOR'S WHISTLE STOP TOUR VISITS SIDNEY
Union Pacific's Nebraska150 Express visited Sidney Saturday, bringing with it Gov. Pete Ricketts and several guests. Ricketts's Whistle-stop Tour first visited Ogallala, then continued to Gering.
Mayor Joe Arterburn described the visit as an "honor" for the city. "Sidney's long colorful history is closely linked to the Union Pacific railroad, which brought industry and people of all walks of life, just as it did for so many towns that sprang up along its tracks," he said. "We are proud of our long-standing history and relationship with Union Pacific, which continues to be part of our community's identity and economy."
Ricketts began by announcing, "Happy birthday, Nebraska!" "We are celebrating 150 years of statehood on our 150th birthday," he said. Union Pacific plays an important part in the heritage and history of Nebraska, Ricketts said.
"It was Union Pacific that really helped knit our state as well as our country together," he said. "As the mayor was indicating, Sidney was founded based upon that, a Union Pacific town. Fort Sidney was founded to be able to have troops here to protect the railroad."
Ricketts announced the "best place to live" is Nebraska.
SIDNEY CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
Sidney celebrated 150 years in August, the celebration reaching back to the says when a resident or visitor would hear the whistle of a train crossing through town, or the thunder of a fast-moving train moving east to west, effectively disecting the north side from the south.
The Sidney community started with the railroad, and expanded when railroad track layers needed protection from Indian raids. The conflicts with Indians eventually subsided and Sidney became a farming and ranching community, also drawing from the cattle industry. Less than 75 years into its existence, Sidney diversified its economy with the first operational oil well in western Nebraska.
Those events and many more were remembered over a long weekend as Sidney observed Sesquicentennial Celebration, beginning at the city's oldest building Friday night.
Camp Lookout, located at 10th and Elm streets, has been refurbished to give visitors a look at what life was like in the late 1860s when it provided shelter for soldiers watching over the railroad. The Camp Lookout kickoff opened activity with a proclamation from the city council, followed by tours and other activities.
Across town, the Way Out West Theatre group performed The Complete History of America Abridged at the Sidney Elks Lodge.
Sidney Farmer's Market opened activities Saturday in Hickory Square, while runners and walkers participated in the Smokin' Gun 5k run/walk at Legion Park. Activities turned to downtown where the Sinful Sidney Parade ran the length of Illinois, while a car show was also be held at 10th and Jackson.
Hickory Street, originally Sidney's Front Street, played a big role in other activities, from games for the youngsters to historical reenactments.
Saturday activities closed with Downtown Sounds, presenting Rascal Martinez with oldies and alternative music. Sand volleyball, a church service and a family fun day, the later at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds, wrapped up the celebration on Sunday.
LIBRARY GETTING PERMANENT MAKERSPACE
Sidney Public Library is getting a permanent Makerspace workshop.
A $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will allow the library to purchase equipment and establish a tele-presence with University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Innovation Studio.
"We'll have microphones and web cameras set up at the individual work stations and the expert from Lincoln will be able to come in and see what you're working on," Andrew Sherman, library director, said. "Our Smith room is a classroom environment, and they'll be able to lead programming remotely from Lincoln."
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