The Cat Shack is starting off a new year with new hours and new activities, planned by a new board with new officers. The Hemingford Youth Center board met three times in the last month to plan the new activities, culminating in a reorganization of the board this week.
The Cat Shack will be open from 3:30 until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a new activity - personal tutoring. Students may request tutoring from existing staff and plans are under way to include a tutor from the school who will work with staff there to see who needs tutoring and in what topics. Stay tuned for more information!
In addition, hours will be slightly shorter on weekends, continuing with the 3:30-11:30 p.m. Friday hours, but shortening Saturday hours to open at 5 p.m. and remain open until 11:30 p.m.
The new board includes President Janelle Hansen, Vice President-Rebecca Thompson, Secretary Mary Wernke, and Treasurer Jodine Sorensen. Other members were chosen to represent key sectors of the community including the school, the police department, the youth, the village board, the owners of the LODO Community Center building, the Cat Shack staff, Family Focus Coalition and the faith-based community. They include Casper Ningen, Forrest Hickman, Hans Hansen, Jim Keegan, Barb Keegan, Jennifer Lashley and Teri Lucas.
Lashley, volunteer coordinator at the Cat Shack, will also be coordinating programs with the cooperation and direction of the board. She is planning a Super Bowl and Valentine's Day party, in addition to other special events this winter and spring. Lady Husker basketball standout Jordan Hooper may make an appearance following her spectacular season currently underway.
Lastly, the board is hoping to include more outside organizations in using the community center. Already, the building has played hosts to the area's new state senator Ken Schilz, Husker player Jace Dean, weekly piano lessons by Blanche Randolph and several birthday parties. Rental fees for the 50 X 75-foot building are reasonable, Lashley said, and include two large screen TVs, three different video game systems, pool and foosball tables, a computer lab and a large kitchen area. For more information about renting/using the LODO Community Center building for your next event, please contact Lashley at 605-430-1634 or 308-487-3711.
