Brainard, Nebraska, located in southeastern Butler County, is at the headwaters of Oak Creek and near the Oxbow Trail. Views of fertile farmland can be seen to the west and gently rolling oak hills to the east.

Located one mile south of U.S. Highway 92, Brainard is an hour's drive from Omaha; 45 minutes from Lincoln, Fremont and Columbus; and 30 minutes from Seward and Wahoo, Nebraska. Oak Creek Trail, a 13-mile hike/bike trail, runs between Brainard and Valparaiso. Timber Point Lake (4 miles) and Red Cedar Lake (8 miles) are located southeast of town. A paved road via Dwight connects Brainard to Highway 66 and Seward (Highway 15) to the west as well as Valparaiso (Highway 79) to the east.

BRAN 2007

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In its 27th year, 600 bike riders and support personnel will be spending the final night of their week long Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska in Brainard. Their journey begins in Gordon and travels through the Sandhills and eastward through fertile farmlands to Brainard. Brainard was the host community to the Silver Lining Edition of BRAN in 2005. Residents are looking forward to the return of the BRAN riders and have a great program of local entertainment and some of the best food around.

All entertainment is free and people from the Butler County region, as well as family and friends of BRAN riders from other areas are encouraged to attend. Food is available throughout the day and other snacks will be available.

For more information, contact Robin Sullivan, brainardcityhall@yahoo.com, (402) 545-3641; Debbie Behne, kb31518@alltel.net, (402) 545-2302, or Brainard City Hall, (402) 545-2701.

Hanus Family will Celebrate 100th Anniversary

The Hanus family will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the wedding of Mary Mach and Leo Hanus and the arrival of the Hanus family in America in July of 1907. A reunion is planned beginning with Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Brainard at 10 a.m. celebrated by Archbishop Jerome Hanus followed by a luncheon at the Klein Center. Meat and buns will be catered. Donations will be welcomed that day.

Why was Brainard selected as the site for the reunion? The last five children of Leo and Mary were baptized at Holy Trinity: Ann, Joe, Emily, Ludy and Beatrice. Children of Leo and Mary Hanus are Leo, Jr., Mary (Hanus) Steager (Louis), Ann (Hanus) Morbach (John), Joe, Emily (Hanus) Hilger (Sylvester "Less"), Ludy (Hanus) Birkel (Clarence "Farmer"), and Beatrice (Sister Marietta).

Make reservations by June 25 via e-mail: maryhill@wi.rr.com or mhanus@sssf.or or via phone: (414) 383-3831.

Any information or photos about the Hanus family are also welcome.

Q125 Celebration

The biggest celebration ever in Brainard was held on July 4, 5, and 6, 2003 and is now a happy memory. Some copies of the special history book and cookbook, Brainardopoly and the collector's plate are still available. DVDs and videos of the event are also available for purchase. For more information, view the list of souvenirs available. Note the newly reduced prices.

For further information, contact:

Sharon Bruner
Technology Center Manager
Phone: (402) 545-3901
E-mail: jb54103@alltel.net