YOU GO, GIRL

The grass hasn't had a chance to grow much under Betty Elliott's feet. At 78, she is still doing work for the community, her church and "the girls."

Four years ago, Betty moved into Park Terrace on the east edge of Kimball. Just after the height of the pandemic, she decided that there was a need for a craft group at Park Terrace. She received approval to start a craft class for the "girls."

Her concern was that there was nothing for them to do, and so with masks on, they began the Tuesday, once a month craft group. She usually orders kits and makes sure the project is "something all of them can do." It is a perfect way for them to visit but also work on their fine motor skills with a little completed project to take home.

She prepares coffee and treats. The most recent treat was an outstanding pineapple pie for the half dozen or so regular craft goers. Others residents just show up for the snacks.

Betty is then on to the next thing. After a few years of hiatus, the Park Terrace Pot Luck Dinners will re-start again in June, according to Betty, who has reorganized it.

The Helping Hands Food Pantry is another job Betty has made for herself. Someone has to be in charge, and Betty has been that person since 2015 for the Helping Hands Food Pantry at the Kimball Baptist Church. The items come from Food for the Heartland.

"The pantry is open to anyone in need, as long as they are a Nebraska resident," she said, "I like to do it. It is not really work."

Betty "employs" about 11 volunteers. They have to be qualified to volunteer.

"Every year we have to do our civil rights and we have to do our food safety classes. You have to know what your doing to volunteer," she said.

In her downtime, Betty makes and sells souvenirs of Nebraska and surrounding states to be sold at the High Point Visitors Center.