Ansley shines!

Visit from Lincoln first in 53 years

ANSLEY - It was 1967, the year of the state of Nebraska’s Centennial, that was the last time an official from the Governor’s office had been in Ansley, according to historian Lance Bristol.

“I remember seeing Gov. Morrison. He road in a big Cadillac convertible!” Bristol, who was in the early grades of high school at the time, recalled. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the 53 year drought ended with the Village of Ansley hosting Lt. Governor Mike Foley, showing him the greatly improved and the still needs-to-be improved parts of Ansley.

Bristol went on to say, “This was highly important to have the Lt. Gov. here. Everybody in the east does not know we exist in the western part of the state.” He went on to say, “We educate the kids and send them into the workforce. We survive and thrive in Custer County; walk into any community and see the good things happening.” Bristol also expressed that the Lt. Gov. asked good questions. “He sees it and understands what we are doing.”

Lanette Doane, Ansley village clerk, was excited to put the day together. It started with a Meet-and-Greet at Flatwater Bank, a tour of the historical building and moved onto showing off the new American Flag mural behind the Ansley Veteran Wall. Livvia’s Boutique was a stop along the way, highlighting the new renovation and the innovative inventory the store carries.

Ansley Lumber & Supply, the longest running business in Ansley and serving the area now for 130 years, showed Lt. Gov. Foley the original building still with the original hard wood floors, their extended inventory and new showroom. Owners Heidi and Brian Beaumont explained how the renovation of the building possibly gave the building across the street 50 more years of life.

The group stopped at the Jones Insurance group building then visited the location of the Ansley Investment Group’s (AIG) new home site where a house was built and sold in a six-month time frame and where the group is also under construction of a second

home. According to Brian Beaumont, AIG plans to hopefully start another home in the spring when the current home is finished and sold.

Ansley Public School was the next stop where Superintendent Gordon Goodman highlighted the new LED lights added throughout the building in 2019 and wall mats, provided through the support of Shelter Insurance and Flatwater Bank, that enhance the safety and appearance of the gym. The Lt. Gov. was impressed with the number of students enrolled at the school. “This speaks well of the quality of education being offered,” Foley stated.

According the Doane, it was important to “Show what our needs are, getting properties turned around and back on the tax rolls.” Doane talked a lot about Land Banks, explaining “Land Banks can acquire, rehab, develop, dispose and demolish property. They clear titles, extinguish taxes and special assessments, and assemble parcels. Belonging to a Land Bank provides an avenue for a community to turn nuisance or abandoned properties and parcels into revitalized housing opportunities.”

A driving tour around town was the next part of the tour to show the Board of Trustees “wish list” of cleaning up some lots.

The tour ended at the new playground at Lake Park where funds for new equipment were acquired through grant money. Doane knew the Lt. Gov. enjoyed Mexican food, so she made sure a meal was catered by local business, Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant. The meal received a four-star rating from all.

“I am very impressed with the magnificent architecture of the buildings and the importance, like the bank remodel keeping the woodwork and history,” Foley said. He went on to say the young entrepreneurs of the Boutique and the lumber yard bodes well for the community’s future. “The school was impressive, two gyms, first class,” Foley said. “People will stay in a community or come to a community because of the education their children will receive.”

It is probably safe to say Lt. Gov. Foley will remember his day in Ansley and it will probably not be 53 years until another visit from Lincoln.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock First stop on the tour of Ansley with the Lt. Governor is the mural of the American flag. From left are Lance Bristol, Trent Fecht, Chairman of the Board Lanette Doane, Brian and Heidi Beaumont and Lt. Gov. Foley.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Ansley Investment Group’s new home located on North Main, that constructed and sold in six months along with the second home under construction, was a stopping point on the Lt. Gov. tour Dec. 2. From left are Lance Bristol, Lt. Gov. Foley, Brian Beaumont, Heidi Beaumont and Chris Hogg,

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Lake Park in Ansley was the last stop on the Lt. Governor’s tour, showing the new playground equipment that was purchased with grant money. Pictured, from left, are Lance Bristol, Lanette Doane, Cathie Jo Mills board, Brian Beaumont Lt. Gov. Foley and Heidi Beaumont.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Lt. Gov Foley and Brian Beaumont review prints on the wall showing the progression of the building that now houses the new showroom of Ansley Lumber from years the building was a car dealership and a feed store as well as flooding in Ansley.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Pete Cummingham, president of the Ansley School board, elbow bumps with Lt. Gov. Mike Foley on the tour of the school. Looking on are Chris Hogg, Gordon Goodman, Superintendent Cathie Jo Mills and Trent Fecht.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Melissa Johnstone, left, manager of Livvia’s Boutique in Ansley, visits with Lanette Doane, center, and Lt. Gov. Foley about the renovations, and the plans for expansions for the Boutique.

Donnis Hueftle-Bullock Brian and Heidi Beaumont, owners of Ansley Lumber, show Lt. Gov. Foley the main lumber store building that has been serving the area for 130 years.