New child care center receives major funds

WOOD RIVER, Neb. — Wood River's new Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center received a total of $550,000 through grants from partnerships to help renovate their new facility.

The old nursing home in Wood River was emptied after fear of flood damage. Since then, the building has been vacated. Stick Creeks Kids Child Development Center needed a home, now they're well in their way to saying home, sweet, home."This has been a journey," Sara Arnett said.It all started in January 2018, when Chelsie Doane expressed the idea of having a child care center in Wood River.

"I found it very difficult to find a child care here in town," Chelsie Doane said.

Others like Arnett joined Doane in making the child care center a reality, eventually, the building was sold to Stick Creek Kids by Good Sam Society.

"We needed everybody's help to help us get to the finish line," said Arnett.

As of November 24, the Stick Creek Kids received grants through partnerships to help them cross that finish line.

"All of those funds go to the capital campaign to renovate this building," said Arnett.Doane said because of the community they were able to get the funds. She said the child care will be a benefit back to the community.

"When this first started it was grown out of a need for day care, child care in the community and it's really evolved and blossomed into a child care center," said Doane.

"It's very real and a great need and we're excited to be able to deliver this for central Nebraska," said Arnett.

Armett said an opening date isn't official but renovations will begin in January.

Stick Creek Kids attend state early childhood conference

Several members of the Stick Creek Kids leadership team were among more than 400 civic, business, and education leaders from 92 Nebraska communities attending the 2019 Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference on September 16-17 in Kearney. Participants learned more about how providing high-quality early childhood education can support a town’s children, its families and its economy.

Early childhood programs play a key role in community economic development—both because working families seek reliable, quality care in choosing where to live and because research shows that children who have benefited from high-quality early childhood programs become better students, better employees, and more productive citizens. The conference is held in response to statewide calls to better understand how communities can provide high-quality early childhood education. It offers opportunities for attendees to share success stories and challenges, learn from each other, and develop action plans for implementing high-quality care and education from birth through third grade. With the progress made so far in Wood River and Stick Creek Kids campaign, Wood River was invited to lead in some of the panels including Elizabeth Troyer-Miller in Cities in Action: Building Early Learning Communities and Sara Arnett in Capital Projects: Tools for Funding Your Center.

Following the first day, those participating in Communities for Kids were invited for a second day of more extensive planning and progress meetings, including Stick Creek Kids leadership team. That evening, Wood River hosted Nancy Lim of the National League of Cities. Wood River is one of six communities in Nebraska and the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation participating in a National League of Cities initiative, City Leadership for Building an Early Learning Nation.

This year’s event was sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Education, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, First Five Nebraska, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Nebraska Community Foundation, Nebraska Extension, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

Partnering organizations are the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children, Nebraska Association of School Boards, Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Nebraska ESU Coordinating Council, Nebraska Head Start Association, Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska State Education Association, Panhandle Partnership, Inc., and the Rural Futures Institute.

Stick Creek Kids celebrates at Wood River Fun Fest

Fun Fest Weekend in Wood River is always a great time and Stick Creek Kids was excited to have a part! This year, Stick Creek Kids hosted the first annual Kids Fun Run at Wood River High School. Over 50 runners participated divided into age groups. All kids received a free t-shirt and medals were given out for first, second and third place, thanks to sponsorship by CropMetrics. Following the Fun Run, Stick Creek Kids walked in the Fun Fest parade as part of the Wood River Centennial Community Foundation.

NTV: After flood, Wood River hopes to keep community growing by investing in kids

WOOD RIVER, Neb. — A community devastated by floods turns heartache into opportunity.

The flooding left Wood River with a vacant building, when the nursing home closed. But there's a group that's been looking for a home, and now they've found it.

Spending summer at the pool got an upgrade when the community opened its new aquatic center in 2018.

It's a popular place for families, but working moms and dads who need child care have limited options.

There are just a few in–home providers, and parents say it's not enough, as a visioning group identified a child care center as a major priority.

Elizabeth Troyer-Miller said, “How do we grow our community, make it a place people want to be and grow their families and invest in community. We see this as being a really vital piece of that. It's chicken or egg, what comes first, childcare, housing, all those things we see linked hand in hand.”

The Stick Creek Kids committee was formed, and had planned to build a child care center.

But when Good Samaritan Society closed the nursing home after the flood, Mayor Greg Cramer saw an opportunity.

“I'm really happy with Good Samaritan they gave us, sold us that building for $100,000. The taxable value is $1.4 million,” he said of plans to buy the building.

That gets Stick Creek Kids in business for less than expected, giving them more money for operating costs. Troyer-Miller said they’d like to have a couple of years of funding in place, to ensure they can be sustainable.

They see the building as a gift from the Good Samaritan Society.

“Thank you to them for investing in our project,” Troyer-Miller said.

The mayor says the town is growing. Cramer said two new houses by the swimming pool sold in days, and they've got a new subdivision in the works...

And they see a child care center as a way to attract more families.

"If we keep this rolling, it's going to be a good thing for our community," Cramer said.

Just as they invested in the pool, community leaders like Elizabeth Troyer-Miller say Stick Creek Kids reinforces their commitment to families, especially after the flood.

"It's a project we hope can bring some hope that progress is happening," she said.

The mayor said Stick Creek Kids will be the legal entity that owns the building. The community has wanted a new library, and this just may be the place for that as well, as they consider other partners.

The closing date is set for July 12.

https://nebraska.tv/news/local/after-flood-wood-river-hopes-to-keep-community-growing-by-investing-in-kids?fbclid=IwAR3YYq0j7WeyBAKMZIRYdH0lOWjnfo9Y08UdplW9C-VbLpSgc3PzSWFdgwY

NTV: New childcare center to buy old Wood River nursing home

WOOD RIVER, Neb. — The group behind an effort to bring a new childcare center to Wood River said they have plans to buy a recently-closed nursing home.

Wood River Vision 20/20 and Stick Creek Kids Child Development Centerannounced Wednesday that they will be purchasing the former Good Samaritan Society-Wood River building for a reduced market rate of $100,000 on the building with a $1.4 million tax assessed value.

“While closing Good Samaritan Society – Wood River was a difficult decision, we are excited and grateful that the building will continue to serve the community in such an important way,” Good Samaritan Society Regional Vice President Nate Schema said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how Stick Creek Kids uses the space for its own mission.”

“We were all disheartened to hear the news that Good Samaritan Society – Wood River was closing and there was nothing we could do to change their mind. Once that was known, we did consider that this may be a good fit for our project,” Sara Arnett explained. “There were several moving pieces and we’re fortunate that things fell into place on this transaction. We look forward to closing on July 12 and begin working on plans for remodeling.”

Chelsie Doane added, “We’re very appreciative of Good Samaritan’s support of our vision to keep Wood River growing while helping families find reliable, quality early childhood education for their children. Because this property is considerably larger than our original plans, we’re excited to be looking into possible partnerships that would be a good fit for the community.”

Those behind the project say it's been driven by Wood River Vision in response to a critical shortage of child care in central Nebraska.

They said the Stick Creek Kids capital campaign currently stands at roughly $1.4 million with a goal of nearly $2,000,000 to remodel and furnish the new non-profit child care center to serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Any excess funds will be held in a fund to help provide long-term financial sustainability and provide scholarships for low income children to attend the center.

https://nebraska.tv/news/local/new-childcare-center-to-buy-old-wood-river-nursing-home?fbclid=IwAR3OHVmLDJXMLH2o4sWI5EfVPMnEW98e39ZaHpaB97h4Nt5ShdzfHZdya0w

Stick Creek Kids purchases former Good Samaritan Society building

Wood River Vision 20/20 and Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center are excited to announce they will be purchasing the former Good Samaritan Society-Wood River building. Good Samaritan Society has agreed to the reduced market rate of $100,000 on the building with a $1.4 million tax assessed value. 
“While closing Good Samaritan Society – Wood River was a difficult decision, we are excited and grateful that the building will continue to serve the community in such an important way,” Good Samaritan Society Regional Vice President Nate Schema said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how Stick Creek Kids uses the space for its own mission.”

“We were all disheartened to hear the news that Good Samaritan Society – Wood River was closing and there was nothing we could do to change their mind. Once that was known, we did consider that this may be a good fit for our project,” Sara Arnett explained. “There were several moving pieces and we’re fortunate that things fell into place on this transaction. We look forward to closing on July 12 and begin working on plans for remodeling.”

Chelsie Doane added, “We’re very appreciative of Good Samaritan’s support of our vision to keep Wood River growing while helping families find reliable, quality early childhood education for their children. Because this property is considerably larger than our original plans, we’re excited to be looking into possible partnerships that would be a good fit for the community.”

The Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center project is driven by Wood River Vision in response to a critical shortage of child care in central Nebraska. The Stick Creek Kids capital campaign currently stands at roughly $1.4 million with a goal of nearly $2,000,000 to remodel and furnish the new non-profit child care center to serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Any excess funds will be held in a fund to help provide long-term financial sustainability and provide scholarships for low income children to attend the center. To help make the dream a reality with your financial contribution, please contact Sara Arnett at 308-380-7030 or find the project on Facebook @ Stick Creek Kids. Community support at all levels is still needed and sincerely appreciated!

KSNB: Stick Creek Kids Development Center to open new daycare at Wood River's old Good Sam

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https://www.ksnblocal4.com/content/news/Stick-Creek-Kids-Development-Center-to-open-new-daycare-at-Wood-Rivers-old-Good-Sam--512200261.html

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Wood River's old Good Samaritan Senior Living Center will be getting new tenants. The Stick Creek Kids Development Center announced they've purchased the building for a new day care.

The group had been fundraising for a new daycare in Wood River. When they heard the building was being sold, they saw a great opportunity for the area. They said what they have now is not keeping up with the demand.

"We have a lot of kids and families who need regular and reliable childcare," Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, with the Stick Creek Kids Vision Board said. "We really tried to illicit and support the growth of in home daycare and just weren't getting a lot of people to come on board. So we decided to build and now here we are."

The group says they're sad about Good Sam closing, but are happy to be able to keep the building alive.

GoBigGIVE 2019 Final Numbers

The community of Wood River was very generous in supporting Stick Creek Kids on Go Big GIVE 2019 in May. On that day $17,711.35 was raised. Stick Creek Kids fund qualified to receive a portion of the match pool funds and prizes that resulted in the receipt of $18,208.73 from Go Big Give.

The Wood River Centennial Community Foundation issued a matching grant challenge that it would match $1 for every $2 raised up to a maximum of $5,000.00. This challenge was reached and the $5,000 was presented resulting in a total of $23,208.73 for Stick Creek Kids capital campaign from the Go Big Give day of giving.

The Wood River Community Centennial Foundation is proud to support the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center as they work on their vision to keep Wood River growing while helping families find reliable, quality early childhood education for their children.

Aurora Cooperative donates $10,000 to Stick Creek Kids

Wood River Vision 20/20 Board Members Brian Hayes, Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, and Tyler Doane recently accepted a $10,000 donation from Aurora Cooperative for the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center.

Aurora Cooperative representatives Bryce Consbruck, Josh Gartner and Brian Urbom presented the check. These funds are another important donation to the project's capital campaign to build a child care center in Wood River, and are greatly appreciated. The goal is to raise $2 million dollars, and the campaign currently stands at $1,374,000. The Stick Creek Kids leadership team is working hard to pursue several large grant opportunities to help the community get closer to the "finish line".

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the campaign or needing additional information is invited to contact Sara Arnett at 308-380-7030.

GoBigGIVE May 2, 2019

Our heads are spinning over here! As of 10pm on Go Big GIVE, our current total is.....

$16,661!

We have CRUSHED our goal of $10,000 and met our challenge grant to receive another $5,000! So our total will be over $21,000!

So before we call it a night and stop blowing up your news feed, we just wanted to say THANK YOU!

Thank you Wood River for supporting Stick Creek Kids and growing our community! Thank you for helping us host three amazing events over the past two weeks!

GoBigGIVE 2019 Events

Thank you to Scott Frost and our entire community for an amazing event last night!

We're very excited to announce we raised over $55,000 for our Capital Campaign!

If you missed the opportunity to give at the Scott Frost Welcome Home Tailgate but still want to donate, we have several great options!

·Donate through our website at stickcreekkids.com
·Go Big GIVE starting tomorrow through May 2nd at gobiggive.org/wrfoundation 
·Bring the kids to our Family Fiesta this Sunday
·If a family event is 'nacho' style, stop by our Chips & Queso Party next Thursday, May 2

THANK YOU! More great things happening in Nebraska and Wood River!

#NebraskaStrong
#WoodRiverStronger

First Five Nebraska: Governor signs proclamation focused on community economic growth

Governor Ricketts signed a proclamation declaring this Community Development Week to celebrate Nebraskans who are working every day to build their communities and grow this beautiful state. 

“Community Development Week is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work by people across our state to create a great quality of life in their communities and grow Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts. “It’s also a week when we acknowledge the federal, state and local resources, as well as the partnerships and local support, that make community and economic development achievements possible.”

At First Five Nebraska, we strongly believe that a quality early childhood infrastructure is a necessary pillar for economic development and community growth, alongside affordable housing, transportation, internet connectivity and other needs that help communities thrive. We know positive early learning environments lay the foundation for marketable skills that prepare young people to adapt to the demands of emerging businesses and industries. We also know strong child care options are a powerful attractor and anchor for the new and returning talent our state so desperately needs. 

As part of Community Development Week, we’d like to highlight several communities that are incorporating early childhood into their own strategies for economic growth. Gothenburg, Columbus, Wood River, Albion and Pender have all developed public/private partnerships to build or enhance existing early childhood infrastructure. These and other communities are finding innovative ways to address the needs of employers and working parents.

First Five Nebraska applauds Governor Ricketts’s decision to proclaim this Community Development Week. As our state continues to grow, First Five Nebraska will continue to work with communities to help them address their early childhood needs. 

Elizabeth Lopez Everett
Policy Associate
First Five Nebraska

http://www.firstfivenebraska.org/blog/article/governor-signs-proclamation-focused-on-community-economic-growth?fbclid=IwAR1eyUTWlwEU-exGJt9lMfDumR3n8aeaB8c5Ly6YX_a5TF6v6pf3_X0CAmc#.XMr60o5KhPZ

Family Fiesta GoBigGIVE 2019

Thank you to Sonya Schultz Photography for taking photos!

Hail Varsity: A Behind-the-Scenes Reunion for Nebraska Coach Scott Frost

For the first time in 18 years, Scott Frost was back in Wood River. 

On Tuesday, April 23, Frost returned to his hometown for a “Welcome Home Tailgate” at Babel’s Barn. The night served as a fundraiser for the construction of the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center. It needs $2 million. They have raised $1.3 million so far. 

The Husker head coach was the keynote speaker at the event. Around 7 p.m., he took to the stage to share stories from back when he was a high schooler, tease a guy who was a senior when he was a freshman because Frost has the caché now, and talk about the people who helped shape his life. 

“It’s crazy, everywhere I go I feel like I’m the head football coach at Nebraska,” Frost said that night. “I feel like when I come back around here, I’m just Scott, and that feels good.”

But the real reunion happened about 90 minutes before he stepped in front of the 500 gathered at Babel’s.

Aub Boucher, the activities director at Wood River High School, Frost’s alma mater, got a call from a buddy Tuesday afternoon. Frost was going to be in town; get back up to the school and give him a tour. 

So at 5:30, Boucher met Frost and a few other teammates for a 45-minute walk-through of the place he hasn’t ever left. 

Right when you walk in the school, there’s a giant ring hanging in the center of the foyer, adorned with school records in every sport. Frost’s name is all over the place. 

There’s a trophy case with pictures from Frost’s high school days, a plaque commemorating his Gatorade Player of the Year honor in 1992, another for a Nebraska High School Male Athlete of the year from 1993, an Old Spice Player of the Month honor and several more. Frost took a picture with it before moving on. His Wood River No. 7 jersey is hung up above a plaque commemorating his Husker national championship, too.

In a hallway connecting the school’s two gyms, there are team pictures hanging from all the squads who reached state. Frost’s basketball team has a picture hanging in that hallway. He remembered the names of his teammates on the court as well. 

They passed by old classrooms and Frost pointed out what he learned in each. 

They walked through the old gym Frost used to play in and the old locker room he used to dress in. Frost pointed out where his used to be. He saw the new gym, too, complete with a tour of the remodeled weight room.

“The weight room he loved,” Boucher said. “He was telling us where the squat rack and stuff was.”

After about 45 minutes, Boucher suggested they go see the football field. The school put in new goalposts two years ago and Frost wanted to see how it looked.

So they walked outside and stood on the track surrounding the field. With three former teammates—Steve Spiehs, Frost’s left tackle, Eric Nielsen (Plug), Frost’s left guard, and Matt Gideon, one of Frost’s wideouts—they snapped a picture. 

“The field where it all started,” Spiehs said in a text. 

Boucher just sat back and watched the four reminisce. “I felt like the kid in the candy store,” he said. They talked about old times. Frost used to work on the Spiehs’ family farm when he first moved to town. He helped Nielsen move haybales on his family farm, too. Of course, they also talked about football. Frost remembered playing Battle Creek in the playoffs his last two years in school. 

Frost asked about the school. About changes. About how things were going. Not Nebraska’s football coach. A Wood River alum.

“He had a glow in his eye and a big smile,” Boucher said. “Probably shook my hand five or six times and said thanks. He was really appreciative of the tour.”

After the walk-through, after the dinner, Frost hung around to take pictures. He saw people he hadn’t seen in almost two decades. 

“He let his guard down a little bit, smiled a lot,” Boucher said. “He just loved it. I thought it was great. … He’s a genuine Nebraskan. He’s the best thing for us since [Tom] Osborne. I’m telling ya.”

https://hailvarsity.com/s/6798/a-behind-the-scenes-reunion-for-nebraska-coach-scott-frost

HuskersOnline: Frost receives hometown welcome in Wood River

WOOD RIVER, Neb. – The native son of Wood River finally came home on Tuesday.

For the first time since becoming Nebraska’s head football coach, Scott Frost made his first public appearance in his home town in front of over 500 people in Babel’s Barn in Wood River.

“It’s crazy everywhere I go I’m the head coach of Nebraska, but I feel like when I come back around here, I’m just Scott,” Frost said as the crowd applauded.

The event was a fundraiser for the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center, which is in the process of being built in Wood River. They have raised nearly $1.3 million of the $2 million they need to build a state-of-the-art childcare and preschool facility to help attract more families to Wood River.

Frost was accompanied at the dinner by both his parents and former Wood River football coaches Larry and Carol Frost.

Scott Frost reiterated to the crowd how great it was to be back home in Nebraska after living in so many different places the last several years.

“I’ve lived in 13 different states now chasing this crazy game around,” Frost said. “Sometimes that gives you perspective that the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. I’ve lived in California and didn’t like that. I’ve lived in Wyoming, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Kansas, Iowa and Oregon. After you go through that sometimes you realize that maybe the people that stayed home were the smart ones.”

As for on the field, Frost knows his team has their work cut out for them, but things are well on their way after a successful spring.

“We are working our ass off to make you guys proud,” Frost said. “Just being honest with you, when we got to Lincoln there was a lot to fix. To put it nicely, it was more broken than any of us even expected. When we walked in the door there was a lot of things to fix internally and there was a lot of things to fix with the team.

“We needed better talent, we needed better attitudes and we needed to get bigger, faster and stronger than we were. Year ones are tough. Year one at (UCF) was tough. We lost every close game we played. We were discouraged. We wanted to win more than we did. We made a real big turnaround in year two. Down there we kind of expected it would be year three when the big turnaround would happen, and everything just kind of came together and it happened in year two.

“I can tell you we are probably further ahead at this point in the progression than we were in Florida. Not saying we are going to have that kind of season like we had in year two of Florida, but I can promise you things are coming, and we are moving in a really good direction.”

Odds and ends 

***Frost told the crowd becoming father has been the best thing in his life.

“Listen I’m an old dad,” Frost said. “I waited a long time to get started, but it’s the greatest thing I’ve done in my life.”

***Frost also spoke at Riverside Golf Club in Grand Island at their Chamber Luncheon Tuesday.

***A painted portrait of Frost went for $1200 in a live auction. Two tickets to the Indiana game, complete with sideline and corporate tailgate passes, went for $2400.

https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/frost-receives-hometown-welcome-in-wood-river?fbclid=IwAR1SyfLYsyUFG_UwvYdxTtQdt2B-XcCdm-p8lNwgYDnVbBZUnWBfHoqFKqE

NTV: Coach Frost returns to Wood River for first time since being named head football coach

WOOD RIVER, Neb. — Scott Frost made his first official trip "home" since being named head coach of the Husker football team.

Coach Frost finally made it back to Wood River and spoke with attendees at the Welcome Home Tailgate to help raise money for early childhood education.

Organizers said that it's much needed in their community.

"I'm a working mom but I work part-time and it's pretty comfortable but it's also a little more difficult to find childcare. You are always maxed out on childcare options and we only have just a handful of in-home providers," said a Stick Creek Kids Committee member Elizabeth Troyer-Miller.

Early childhood education is what Stick Creek Kids and Wood River Vision 20/20 is hoping to fix.

With two surveys, they found 65 households that said they would consider using childcare if it was available in town.

"There need was there for childcare as we have ladies here in town who have been doing childcare for years who are retiring and want to slow down so the need has really amplified here lately. These people are getting together and we are trying to get this going so it will be really good for the town to have this childcare around," said Wood River city council member Eric Nielsen.

"We want this to be a place where kids are stimulated, where their social-emotional developmental is being monitored and encouraged, where they are learning in a way that helps their brain development because we really see that as a way of encouraging not only the health of our families but also our communities and the future communities that those children move onto," said Troyer-Miller.

Organizers said they've already raise 60 percent of their just shy of $2 million goal for the center, and with the tailgate they said they've raised over $1.3 million.

Coach Scott Frost of course helped that.

"Wood River is doing some really good things and some of my friends are some of the people leading it to try to help the youth of this town. That's important. We all have a role in making sure that the next generation has every advantage that we had and more, and I think they're doing a really good job of it here," said Husker head football coach Scott Frost.

The Stick Creek Kids committee said they're hoping to break ground by the end of the year.

https://nebraska.tv/news/local/coach-frost-returns-to-wood-river-for-first-time-since-being-named-head-football-coach?fbclid=IwAR2HGtL3DSGudUMQqPOq64DMIcKRLPzR5Xp1-I8Q3_rNWbyia_i1fV_Yo08

GI Independent: Frost glad to be back home

WOOD RIVER — Scott Frost was back with the old gang, some of whom joined him at the podium to sing the Wood River school song.

The Husker football coach took a few questions from the audience at the end of the Scott Frost Welcome Home Tailgate party Tuesday night. One of the questioners asked Frost if he still knew the Wood River school song.

Frost obviously had trouble remembering the fight song. So, at his invitation, six of his high school buddies joined him to sing the song.

“I’m sorry for that,” he said when they were done.

Close to 500 people turned out for the event, which was held at Babel’s Barn. Frost was joined at the party by his parents, Larry and Carol.

During his talk, Frost mentioned the names of many high school friends he spotted in the audience, using nicknames for many of them.

On a tour of the town Tuesday afternoon, he was impressed by the improvements at the high school.

Several times, Frost gave a hard time to the evening’s emcee, Derek Apfel. Frost said the weight room was improved after Apfel graduated, which made sense to him.

“It is obvious to me that he hasn’t ever spent any time in the weight room,” Frost said of his old teammate.

He also said it makes sense that Apfel is in the funeral home business.

“Dead people are the only ones who can sit still long enough to get through his jokes,” Frost said.

In introducing Frost, Apfel said that the Wood River grad hasn’t changed.

“It’s crazy,” Frost said. “I’m the head coach for the University of Nebraska, (but) when I come back here I feel like I’m just Scott, and that feels good.”

He mentioned there were many people in the room who he considers lifelong friends.

“It’s just good to be back,” Frost said.

He said the town looks good. He wished Wood River had an aquatic center when he was in high school.

Frost recalled going fishing and raccoon hunting when he was a kid.

One thing that has changed: “Are there more Zavalas here now than there were then?” he said. “You guys are multiplying like gremlins. It’s a good thing there isn’t a Zavala season around here. Joe Jack would have killed all of you.”

At that point, he acknowledged Jack, a retired adviser, in the audience. He also mentioned that Peggy Heise is still teaching at the school.

Frost said he’d like to get back to Wood River more often in the future.

The evening was a fundraiser for the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center, which is planned for Wood River.

Frost said the two people he looks up to most in the coaching profession are Tom Osborne and Tony Dungy. In retirement, both men are working hard at strengthening families.

In dealing with athletes, Frost regularly sees young men who were raised without a father in the house. Students who were raised with a father around handle things better, he said.

Young people need positive role models, Frost said.

Child care centers are best built at the local level, he added.

Frost said he hopes the child development center will help not only kids today, but also a future generation “that hopefully loves Wood River as much as we do.”

He talked about his parents, saying they “did a lot for this town, just like they did for me.”

Frost said he is grateful to his parents for “what they did for me” and “for bringing me to Wood River.”

He also talked about the Cornhuskers.

“I can promise you that good things are coming, and we’re moving in a really good direction,” Frost said.

One member of the audience asked how he likes being a dad. He said he waited a long time to get started. “But it’s the greatest thing I’ve done in my life.”

Wood River is raising $2 million to create the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center. The drive has crossed the $1.3 million mark.

The evening was sponsored by First National Bank.

https://www.theindependent.com/communities/woodriver/frost-glad-to-be-back-home/article_bb91223e-663d-11e9-ba90-8f0799804756.html?fbclid=IwAR2j6fM9quH2RUlFwc6TQOSZivaIzycRSf2jPWAueWzoZ6VQmGxUbdYcf58

COACH FROST WELCOMED HOME

Wood River Vision 20/20 and Stick Creek Kids were honored to host 500 attendees for the Scott Frost: Welcome Home Tailgate on Tuesday, April 23. Over $55,000 was raised for the Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center Capital Campaign, which now stands at over $1.3 million of their nearly $2 million goal.

Sponsored by First National Bank of Omaha, the event was emceed by Derek Apfel with Mohanna with Red Shoes performing. BBQ and food was provided by Stumpy's BBQ, Just One More BBQ, MNO Hometown Market, Subway and Karla & Craig Boshart. Raffle and auction items included Milleta Vista Winery Package, Scott Frost Autographed Football, original artwork by local artist Harry Galbraith, #imomsohard Tour tickets, Treehouse playset by Lakeshore Learning, Nebraska vs Northern Illinois tickets for two from Heritage Bank Wealth Management, tickets to two Husker games from Chris Thelen, and a Husker Football VIP Experience vs Indiana for two from First National Bank of Omaha.

A few generous gifts were also announced including $1,000 from Subway with their Have a Heart campaign, $10,000 from Aurora Co-op and $25,000 from the Wood River Centennial Community Foundation.  Sara Arnett expressed appreciation to everyone who was involved with the tailgate. “The event was a wonderful show of support for Scott, for the Stick Creek Kids project, and the Wood River community. Many thanks to all!”

 Over a year ago, Wood River Vision 20/20 began exploring the child care demand and caregiver capacity, both now and looking into the future.  Responses to a child care survey conducted January 2018 showed 65 households would consider using childcare in Wood River if it were available.  With evidence of overwhelming demand, Vision’s Child Care Task force was formed to tackle this shortage head-on.  Since then, over 1,600 volunteer hours have been invested in the project locally.  Vision will continue to work on several grant opportunities to reach its fundraising goal so the Stick Creek Dream can become a reality.

KLKN: Coach Frost returns to Wood River for first time since being named head football coach

Early childhood education is what Stick Creek Kids and Wood River Vision 20/20 is hoping to fix.

WOOD RIVER, Neb.

Scott Frost made his first official trip "home" since being named head coach of the Husker football team.

Coach Frost finally made it back to Wood River and spoke with attendees at the Welcome Home Tailgate to help raise money for early childhood education.

Organizers said that it's much needed in their community.

"I'm a working mom but I work part-time and it's pretty comfortable but it's also a little more difficult to find childcare. You are always maxed out on childcare options and we only have just a handful of in-home providers," said a Stick Creek Kids Committee member Elizabeth Troyer-Miller.

Early childhood education is what Stick Creek Kids and Wood River Vision 20/20 is hoping to fix.

With two surveys, they found 65 households that said they would consider using childcare if it was available in town.

"There need was there for childcare as we have ladies here in town who have been doing childcare for years who are retiring and want to slow down so the need has really amplified here lately. These people are getting together and we are trying to get this going so it will be really good for the town to have this childcare around," said Wood River city council member Eric Nielsen.

"We want this to be a place where kids are stimulated, where their social-emotional developmental is being monitored and encouraged, where they are learning in a way that helps their brain development because we really see that as a way of encouraging not only the health of our families but also our communities and the future communities that those children move onto," said Troyer-Miller.

Organizers said they've already raise 60 percent of their just shy of $2 million goal for the center, and with the tailgate they said they've raised over $1.3 million.

Coach Scott Frost of course helped that.

"Wood River is doing some really good things and some of my friends are some of the people leading it to try to help the youth of this town. That's important. We all have a role in making sure that the next generation has every advantage that we had and more, and I think they're doing a really good job of it here," said Husker head football coach Scott Frost.

The Stick Creek Kids committee said they're hoping to break ground by the end of the year.

https://www.klkntv.com/story/40363379/coach-frost-returns-to-wood-river-for-first-time-since-being-named-head-football-coach

KSNB: Coach Frost visits hometown for first time in decades

https://www.ksnblocal4.com/content/news/Coach-Frost-visits-home-town-Wood-River--508984371.html

WOOD RIVER, Neb. (KSNB) - A frost was in the air in Wood River Tuesday.

The lines were long and the spirits high as people were excited about their hometown hero, Coach Scott Frost, returning home for the first time in decades.

"He's probably the second best football player to come out of Wood River, besides myself, (laughs) he's a great guy, he's done a lot and represented this state and community really well and I can't think of a guy who deserves praise more," said Jack Gangwish, former Husker player.

It was a tail gate inside a barn, so as I call it a "barngate." It brought out not only former players but fans and long time friends, with memories to share.

"He came back from the second half, had a touchdown, had an interception, basically just has the team on his shoulders," said high school friend and former teammate, Mark Codner,

It was the hottest ticket in town, with live music and auctions to bid on great prizes. The "barngate" was actually a fundraiser for the Stick Creek Kids Early Childhood Development Center.

"We are looking to build a place for kids to grow, and thrive," said Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, Stick Creek Kids Leadership Team Member.

Coach Frost took the time to hang with friends and eat some barbecue before the event.

"There are people here I haven't seen in almost 20 years. It is funny how it feels just like yesterday. I spent a lot of time here and there are a lot of people here who are important to me, getting reunited with some of them is pretty special"

Before the event, Frost took a trip down memory lane and visited his former high school.