In May, preparing for the InterHab conference to be held in Oct, a call for Art was sent out by InterHab to all the agencies which provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The art is grouped into four categories; Photography, Children’s Art (under 18), 3-D, and General Art. Only ten total pieces of art are chosen by the selection committee. The winning artwork is then framed and used as the awards to the recipients of the Annual InterHab Awards. Sherri Rothers and Ruth Grob, both from NCTC in Seneca, each had their art chosen to be one of these awards and along with their families, they attended the awards banquet. Sherri’s art was a watercolor painting and Ruth’s art was a 3-D clay painted teapot.

NCTC has a fantastic art program with a licensed art instructor. Christina Wertenberger was the art instructor this past year. She worked with each individual throughout the year, teaching them the fundamentals in several different media, but also letting them express themselves through their art in their own way. This program is presented in part by a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

The Annual InterHab Conference was held in Topeka, October 8, 9 & 10. InterHab is a resource network which serves its members through support, technical assistance and advocacy and, through its members, provides leadership at the local, state, and national level to support people with disabilities. Eight employees of NCTC attended the conference sessions aimed at keeping staff up-to-date in the areas of their expertise.

View pictures of the InterHab Conference

Nemaha County Training Center held its annual Ice Cream Social in the Seneca Park Friday, August 8. The crowd came close to finishing off the 15 gallons of homemade ice cream that Dreda and Terry Smith made for the occasion. NCTC holds the ice cream social each year as a Thank You to everyone in Seneca, Sabetha and all of the surrounding communities for their continuing support.

View pictures of Ice Cream Social.

The Nemaha County Training Center, Inc. held its 15th annual benefit 3-person scramble golf tournament at the Sabetha Golf Course on Sunday, June 29. The weather could not have been more agreeable for the 102 golfers that participated in the event.

The winners of the tournament were:

Championship Flight: 1st Place team –Bud Keim, Jay Herrman, and Steven Rusche with a 57; 2nd Place Team – Cory Bass, Lee Copeland and Toney Altenhofen with a 61; 3rd Place Team – Mike Rettele, Bonnie Enneking and Jason Enneking with a 63.

A-Flight: 1st Place team –Duane Burdiek, Ray Block and Dan Davis with a 66; 2nd Place Team – Duey Edelman, Graham Edelman and Chad Hinderleiter with a 66; 3rd Place Team – Mike Brading, Brad Roudebush and Lynn Littleton with a 67.

B-Flight: 1st Place team – Paul Grote, Rick Koch and Mark Hewitt with a 70; 2nd Place Team - Cory Futscher, Gene Saathoff and Randy Pennock with a 70; 3rd Place Team – Elmer Lackey, Jerry Eklund and Steve Monholen with a 70.

C-Flight: 1st Place team – Craig Bruggeman, Frank Sanders and Don Hughes with a 74; 2nd Place Team – Dave Remmers, Al Roberts and Doug Barrington with a 75; 3rd Place Team – Jerry Nordhus, John Nordhus and Bill Nordhus with a 75.

Other various contest winners were:

Hole 1 & 10 – Closest to the Pin, Second shot: Brad Leuthold
Hole 2 & 11 – Closest to the Pin, First shot: Gene Saathoff
Hole 4 & 13 – Longest Drive in the Fairway Ladies: Wendy Meyer
Hole 4 & 13 – Longest Drive in the Fairway Men: Bill Nordhus
Hole 5 & 14 – Longest Putt on the Green: Corey Meyer
Hole 6 & 15 – Longest Drive in the Fairway Ladies: Bonnie Enneking
Hole 6 & 15 – Longest Drive in the Fairway Men: Cedric Heiniger
Hole 7 & 16 – Closest to the Pin, First shot: Brad Leuthold
Hole 8 & 17 – Closest to the White Line in the Center of the Fairway: Glenn Sander
Hole 9 & 18 – Longest Putt on the Green: Gene Saathoff

Mulligan $20 raffle winners were: Toni Arnold, Larry Kruse and Roy Robidoux

Several others were winners of the numerous raffle prizes that were donated by several of the Sabetha and surrounding town’s businesses. Among them were Kenny Alderfer, Mike Barrett, Roger Brey, Craig Bruggeman, Corey Futscher, Todd Helm, Craig Henson won two items, Mark Hewitt, Gerri Kohake, Mark Lierz, Steve Monhollon, Allen Pfingsten, Pat Pierce won two items, Mr. Ramcharan won two items, Al Roberts, Steve Rusche won two items, Rex Russell, Dennis Schmelzle and Max Stallbaumer. NCTC greatly appreciates the support of the area businesses and golfers who are instrumental in making this fundraiser such a success. Proceeds from this golf tournament will be used to purchase supplies for the individuals with developmental disabilities that NCTC serves.

View pictures of Sabetha 15th Annual Golf Tournament.

NCTC’s 15th Annual Benefit 3-Person Golf Scramble will be held June 29 at the Sabetha Golf Club. Registration is at 7:30 AM and a shotgun start at 8:30 AM. Registration cost is $45 per person or $135 per team. Any questions please call Marcia at (785) 294-0447 or the Nemaha County Training Center in Seneca at (785)336-6116. To sign up for the tournament use this brochure.

The Nemaha County Training Center, Inc. held its 17th annual benefit 3-person scramble golf tournament at the Spring Creek Golf Course on Sunday, May 4. The sun was shining and the course looked great for the 114 golfers that participated in the event.

The winners of the tournament were:

Championship Flight: 1st Place team – Dr. John Korpi, Joe Schmelzle, Tony Altenhofen with a 62; 2nd Place team – Rick Koch, Caleb Koch, Mitch Allen with a 62; 3rd Place team – Cory Bass, Lee Copeland, Tom Garrett with a 62.

A-Flight: 1st Place team – Chris Schmelzle, Matt Cupps, Lynn Ronnebaum with a 65; 2nd Place team – Doug Allen, Paul Grote, Mark Hewitt with a 65; 3rd Place team – Travis Emmons, Charlie Emmons, Chris Dobbins with a 66.

B-Flight: 1st Place team – Craig Henson, Pat Wessel, Lori Burdiek with a 68; 2nd Place team – Mike Brading, Brad Roudebush, Larry Burns with a 68; 3rd Place team – John Nordhus, Jerry Nordhus, Grant Hutchins with a 68.

C-Flight: 1st Place team – Brian Schmitz, Damian Enneking, Roy Frey with a 72; 2nd Place team – Jason Showman, Chris Showman, Aaron Carpenter with a 73; 3rd Place team – Larry Leseberg, Ryan Henry, Jesse Knight with a 73.

Other various contest winners were:

#1 Longest drive in the fairway (ladies only) – Sherry Cardwell
#2 Closest to the Pin – Rick Olberding
#3 Shortest Drive Used – Dr. John Korpi
#7 Closest to the Sand, but not in the Sand – Von Rusche
#9 Closest to the Pin, 2nd shot – Showman team
#10 Longest Drive in the Fairway (Guys only) – Rodney Watson
#11 Longest Putt on the green – Tom Kramer
#14 Closest to the Line – John Nordhus
#15 Closest to the Pin – Travis Emmons
#18 Longest Putt on the Green – Showman team

Mulligan raffle winners were: Rich Vernon, John Enneking and Caleb Koch.

Several others were winners of the numerous raffle prizes that were donated by several of the Seneca and surrounding towns merchants. Among them were Bob Boden, Rick Carlson, Steve Boeding, Rodney Watson, Tom Kramer, Ron Feldkamp, Ryan Henry, John Enneking, Travis Stallbaumer, Keith Flentie, Harry Leem, Gary Sparling, Bob Macke, Larry Leseberg, Dennis Schmelzle, Joe Schmelzle, Lori Burdiek, Chris Dobbins, Lynn Ronnebaum. NCTC greatly appreciates the support of the area businesses and golfers who are instrumental in making this fundraiser such a success. Proceeds from this golf tournament will be used to purchase supplies for the individuals with developmental disabilities that NCTC serves.

View Pics of the Golf Tournament

Nemaha County Training Center’s 17th annual benefit 3-person golf scramble will be held Sunday, May 4th in Seneca Kansas at Spring Creek. Registration is at 8:00 am and shotgun start is at 9:00 am. There is a $50 registration fee ($150 per team). For more information see the flyer [pdf]. To sign up fill out this form [pdf]

Nemaha County Training Center was recently able to show off their wares at the 1st Annual Seneca Bridal Show that was held at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca on February 16 and 17. All of the Expo vender booths had tablecloths and skirts furnished by NCTC’s Special Occasion Rentals. Laurie Wilson and Gena Swart designed a beautiful booth for NCTC featuring all of the items that are available to rent, including white lattice panels, white arbors, spiral brass candelabras, square and round table mirrors, linens and plants. Renting tablecloths and skirts provides paid work for the individuals working in the NCTC laundry department. To rent items for your special occasion contact Shirley at (785) 336-6116.

In addition to the special occasion booth, NCTC provided the concessions for the event. Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup, White Chili, Turkey & Cheese and Ham Salad on a croissant were among the menu items available. A huge "Thank You" to all the staff and board members that volunteered to help with this. A Fashion Show featuring wedding dresses and other wedding party attire being modeled and several dance numbers performed by area dance students was the highlight of the event. Seneca Downtown Impact hopes to make this Bridal Show an annual event.

View pics of the bridal fair

On March 14, 2008 a group of consumers from NCTC attended the annual BBBS Bowl 4 Kids Sake at the Sabetha Bowling Alley. This group consisted of Mary Feek, Thomas Carstens, Jan Ashmore, Rich Tanking and Kristi Ralston. The team named themselves NCTC Turkeys and raised an amt. of $550.00. The money that the team raised will go to children that have families that don't have a lot of money or children that have drug/alcoholic parents. The money also raised will stay in our community. The St. Patrick's Day hats the team is wearing in some of the pictures were won as a prize for having the most original name and having team shirts.

View pictures of the Bowl 4 Kids Sake

Nemaha County residents Kristi Ralston, Adam Lamee and Anna Schmitz were cast members in the recent production of “The Jellybean Conspiracy” presented in conjunction with InterHab, the resource network for Kansans with disabilities, and the Topeka Civic Theatre Academy. The Jellybean Conspiracy is a two act theater production featuring children and young adults with and without disabilities. Act One is a collection of original poems, songs and short stories written and performed by the person with a developmental disability or their families about society’s response to persons with developmental disabilities. Kristi presented a poem that she had written about growing up as a child with disabilities, Adam’s mother recited a poem about raising a child who has disabilities and Anna performed cartwheels. Act Two is a one act play featuring a young man with Down Syndrome in the role of Tom and his sister, Cricket, who loves and protects her brother, but also finds his presence in her life extremely challenging. With the help of a wise aunt, a thoughtful friend, and a frightening dream, she learns to recognize Tom’s true gifts and celebrate his life the way it is. The production ran Friday, Saturday and Sundays February 15 – 24, with a private showing for Kansas Legislators performed on February 21. The goal is to raise awareness not only to the general public, but specifically Kansas Legislators of Individuals affected with a developmental disability and community supports that are crucial to helping them to maintain a quality lifestyle. For more information about this play or to read the testimonials from people who have seen the play go to jellybeanconspiracy.org.

On June 24th, twenty-two teams stepped onto the Sabetha Country Club to play in the Nemaha County Training Center 14th Annual 3-Person Scramble Golf Tournament. This tournament is held to raise funds and awareness for the people whom NCTC supports. NCTC greatly appreciates the support from area businesses and golfers who continue to make this annual event a success. NCTC would like to thank them for their patronage.

NCTC congratulates the winners from this year’s tournament. Championship Flight: 1st place Rob VanDeCreek, Travis Niehues, KC Boeckman; 2nd place Ty Korte, Larry Burdiek, Ryan Niehues; 3rd place Sharon Enneking, Mike Rettele, Bonnie Enneking. Flight A: 1st place Ryan Hill, Dan Keim, Bud Keim; 2nd place Andy Renyer, Brad Leuthold, Steven Rusche; 3rd place Shawn Paletta, Shane Paletta, Don Tuffley. Flight B: 1st place Gale Hunnighake, Bill Koelzer, Brian Feldkamp; 2nd place Mark Heiniger, Rohn Kuckelman, Mike Krogman; 3rd place Steve Huber, Cedric Hunter, Jamie Bradbury.

Flag prize winners from the tournament included: Hole 1 & 10 Closest to the pin on second shot Mike Krogman; Hole 3 & 12 longest drive in the fairway men- Justin Burdiek, women- Sharon Enneking; Hole 4 & 13 longest drive in the fairway men- Travis Niehues, women- Lori Burdiek; Hole 5 &14 longest putt on green Tyrone Korte; Hole 7 &16 Closet to the Pin Dave Remmers; and Hole 8 & 17 Closest to the pin on second shot Larry Burns.

Thank you, once again, to all of the players and sponsors of this year’s tournament.

For the past five years, NCTC has been awarded an Art Enrichment Grant from the Kansas Arts Commission. The grant allows NCTC to hire a trained art instructor and provide quality materials for classes. Individuals served gain experiences in mixed media, expansion of their artistic abilities and cultural awareness, and self-expression. Christina Wertenberger has been the instructor all five years and will be for the upcoming grant year.

Individuals participate in the art program with enthusiasm and take pride in their finished products. Some have chosen to enter their projects in the annual “Call for Art” contests sponsored by InterHab, a statewide Developmental Disabilities Organization. Past contestants from NCTC have won awards for their works. Some individuals have also chosen to enter their projects in the annual Nemaha County Free 4-H Fair, which offers an open class division with a category for nursing home or disabled individuals.

This year’s Art Exhibits were held in Sabetha June 6 – 9 and Seneca June 14 – 18. The Sabetha Exhibit was on display in the window of the old ‘Videos To Go’ store on Main Street. Several passers-by stopped to look at the quality works of art. The Seneca Exhibit was open to the public at the Seneca Library Community Room. On June 15th from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m., specialty teas and hors d’oeuvres, prepared by Cathy Schafer, were provided while family and friends browsed the excellent exhibit.

NCTC’s 16th Annual Benefit 3-Person Scramble Golf Tournament in Seneca was held on Sunday, June 10th. This tournament was rescheduled, due to the rain, from its original date of May 6th. Forty three teams stepped on to Spring Creek Golf Course to support the enhancement of the lives of those whom NCTC serves. NCTC greatly appreciates the support of area businesses and golfers who continue to make this annual event a success.

NCTC congratulates the winners from this year’s tournament. Champion Flight: 1st place Ty Korte, Larry Burdiek, Travis Niehues, 56; 2nd place Ryan Niehues, Dustin Niehues, Jason Keller, 56; 3rd place Dan Carlson, Scott Carlson, John Norton, 56. Flight A: 1st place Chad Baker, Drew Olberding, Blake Kramer, 61; 2nd place Don Tuffley, Shawn Paletta, Shane Paletta, 61; 3rd place Mark Lierz, Ron Engelken, Mike Stallbaumer, 62. Flight B: 1st place Gary Sparling, Leon Scott, Ken Strathman, 64; 2nd place Larry Burns, Mike Brading, Brad Roudybush, 64; 3rd Randy Zwygart, Rodney Watson, Lynn Littleton, 64. Flight C: 1st place Elmer Lackey, John Enneking, Jerry Eklund, 66; 2nd place Gale Hunninghake, Bill Koelzer, Brian Feldkamp, 66; 3rd Dustin Scott, Tim Huerter, Dean Sudbeck, 66.

A special addition to the NCTC Golf Benefit was the “Drive for the Chrysler” charity golf program presented by the Chrysler Corporation. Each of the golfers who registered received a free sleeve of golf balls and NCTC received a cash donation from Chrysler. Nemaha Valley Motors was the local dealership that helped the sponsor the program.
View Pictures from Tournament

Nemaha County Training Center, Inc. announces the launch of their new website today. The site is designed to serve as an efficient means to educate the public about the many services offered by NCTC, the history of the organization, opportunities to get involved, and much more. Viewing the site as an ongoing project, NCTC invites interested parties and contributors to visit often to check for updates, learn of upcoming events, and view photos of those we serve and NCTC staff.