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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Players and coaches celebrate after Chase Shiltz’s two-point conversion in overtime against Dallas Center-Grimes lifts the Creston/O-M football team to its first trip to the UNI-Dome in school history. More on the game, page 5A. >> ■
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Raider nation: Mount Ayr defeats Earlham for school’s first UNI-Dome trip. >>
MR. RELIABLE
volunteer of the year
Retired social studies teacher Arlan Biere named Creston’s 2014 Citizen of the Year. He will be awarded Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. ■
By KYLE WILSON
Past Creston Citizens of the Year
CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
Y
ou’d be hard pressed to find anyone more active in the Creston community than this year’s Citizen of the Year. Arlan Biere may have retired from Creston Schools in 2006, but that doesn’t mean he’s slowed down any. Biere, 78, is currently a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Union County Historical Society, is an information guide at Greater Regional Medical Center and treasurer at Salem Lutheran Church. “He doesn’t sit around much,” said Don Butler, who nominated Biere for citizen of the year. “That’s probably why he moves so well for 78. He’s always doing something productive whether it be volunteering for church, working on the Habitat house or spending time with his children and grandchildren.” Biere grew up in Auburn, Neb. — located about 60 miles south of Omaha. He was one of five boys in a farm family, and had parents who “weren’t afraid” of keeping him busy. His father George was a handyman and — as a young adult — Biere was eager to learn those trade skills. Those skills have proven important throughout his professional life and now into retirement. Biere spends a large amount of his volunteer service hours
2013 — Denny Abel 2012 — Gary Borcherding and John Kawa 2011 — Martha Musmaker 2010 — Darwin West 2009 — Bob/Betty Jungst 2008 — Flossie Roberts 2007 — Jack Keuter 2006 — Vaughn Seckington 2005 — Dr. Robert Kuhl 2004 — Don Mosman 2003 — Ron Levine 2002 — Ken Hudson 2001 — Ed Ritter 2000 — Tim Kinkade 1999 — Ralph Edwards 1998 — Glen Weaver 1997 — Fannie Luther 1996 — Darlene Loudon 1995 — Galen Zumbach Contributed photo
Arlan Biere, pictured here with his wife Carolyn, has been named 2014 Creston Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.
with Habitat for Humanity. He joined the nonprofit organization at its outset in 2002. The mission of the organization is to provide decent, safe, affordable housing for people in need in Union County. The organization has now completed five Habitat houses in Creston since 2002. Biere has volunteered to do a variety of different tasks on those five houses including painting, laying concrete, installing a sump pump, framing, putting up dry wall, shingling and in-
stalling cupboards to name a few. “It’s hard to believe he was ever a classroom teacher because he’s just loves physical work, working with his hands,” said Charlie Westman with Habitat for Humanity, who also nominated Biere. “He’s really our go-to guy at Habitat. If there’s a job to be done, 99 percent of the time Arlan is there ready to work. He’s so deserving of this award. Since retiring, he’s really been dedicated to bettering our community. Really, the best word to describe Arlan is selfless.”
Westman shares award recognition with heroes By SARAH BROWN
CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews.com
Biere is a graduate of Peru State College in Peru, Neb. He majored in history and physical education. He was a social studies teacher in Creston for 30 years at Burton R. Jones Middle School. Biere’s always been interested in history, which is a main reason he became a board member for the Union County Historical Society in 2010. Biere is considered by most as the complex’s handyman, helping preserve the buildings throughout the year. “There is no project too
For Charlie Westman, 67, of Creston — who is expected to log over 1,000 volunteer hours this year between Habitat for Humanity and Greater Regional Medical Center — being Volunteer of the Year is an honor. However, Westman said this honor is owed to the influence and lessons learned from a handful of people he refers to as his “heroes.” Westman said his life of service began as a young boy as a Boy Scout in Omaha, Neb. However, it wasn’t until he met Senator Eugene T. Mahoney in his early teens that he truly recognized how strong leadership and commitment can rally people together to benefit not only a handful of Westman people, but, the greater community. Westman met Mahoney while volunteering during his run for Senate. Westman said, during that time, Mahoney is the person who taught him what it means to give back to the community. For this, he refers to “Gene” as his “first hero.” “He was a man who gave his whole life to public service,” Westman said. Westman was inspired by Mahoney as a South Omaha police officer who worked his way through the ranks, served in the U.S. military during the Korean War, raised a significant amount of funds for the Henry Doorly Zoo and director of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Before his death, he donated the land that is now
Please see BIERE, Page 2
Please see WESTMAN, Page 10
Historical society
Smith named Chamber’s Youth of the Year By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
One thing Raegen Smith loves to do is dance. The Creston High School senior has danced since she was a little girl, and is part of a dance group in Afton. Another thing Raegen loves to do is help. “Ever since my mom passed, I’ve always heard stories about how involved she was, and how everybody thought she was caring, that
one person you go to and she’d always be there for you,” Raegen said. “So, I wanted to live up to that expectation, and follow in her Smith footsteps.” Raegen, 17, daughter of Randy Smith and the late Brenda Smith, and sister of Carla, received Creston’s 2014 Youth of the Year award. “When Ellen (Gerharz, Creston
Raegen is a senior at Creston High School. She’s active in cross country, track, Peppers, dance, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and National Honor Society. ■
Chamber of Commerce director) called me, it was like a shock. I was happy. I didn’t realize people thought of me like that,” Raegen said. “He (my dad) said it was awesome and that it was a great accomplishment.” Raegen is active in cross country,
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2014
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track, Peppers, dance, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and National Honor Society. She does community service through several of her activities. “I like just helping out in any way. I love to see when people are most happy doing what they’re do-
ing, what they’re most passionate about,” Raegen said. Raegen was nominated for the Youth of the Year award by her FBLA instructor Shannon Smith, who is also business instructor at Creston High School. “Last year, Raegen began taking classes with me and joined FBLA. In the classroom, she is one of the hardest workers I have seen. She thoroughly enjoys school and Please see SMITH, Page 2
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