Education/Pre-School Library
Recreation Museums and Memorabilia/Dance Studio

Education

School District 59 in Colfax County is accredited by the State of Nebraska and the North Central Association. It is a Class 3, Type K-12 facility. The Howells Public Schools district covers approximately 113 square miles in Colfax, Stanton, and Cuming counties.  The district provides K-12 education and is fully accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education.  At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year enrollment was 187 students.  The teacher/pupil ratio is approximately 1:10.  Howells High School offers both general and college preparatory endorsements for its diploma.   Vocational offerings include family and consumer sciences, industrial technology, and vocational agriculture.  Howells Public School is served by  Educational Service Unit No. 7, headquartered in Columbus, which provides contracted Special Education services including a program for pre-school handicapped children.  The agency offers social services for adults and children and vocational services/training for adults.

Howells Public Schools completed major construction and renovation of 26,000-square foot secondary classroom addition in 1998-99 and a 7,300 square foot elementary classroom addition  in 1999-2000.   A tax-exempt foundation, the Howells Public Schools Bobcat Fund, offers an opportunity for patrons and alumni to contribute for both a scholarship endowment and building projects.  Further information about Howells Public Schools is available from Tom McMahon, Superintendent, at P.O. Box 159, Howells, Nebr. 68641, phone 402-986-1621, e-mail jblum@esu7.org.

The school offers a speech program through Educational Service Unit No. 7, located in Columbus. Recreation programs include baseball, softball, swimming and volleyball as well as youth dance and ballroom dancing. A local wildlife refuge including an arboretum, a butterfly garden, and a mile-long walking trail was completed in 1996.

Howells Community Catholic School (HCCS) is a parochial school for those who live in the Howells community.  Tuition is paid by the parents and one-half is picked up by their parish.  The 2008-2009 enrollment is 59 students and the teacher/pupil ratio is approximately 1:11. Further information about HCCS is available from:

Pre-School

The SS Peter & Paul/SS John Catholic Pre-School is a parent cooperative and is operated in St. Peter & Paul church basement. Classes run from September to May for 34 weeks. The child must be old enough for kindergarten the following school year. For more information call Marty Coufal at (402) 986-1625 or Linda Grovijohn at (402) 986-1768.

College

Credit and non-credit classes are offered to the Howells area through Central Community College - Platte Campus. Credit courses are also available on an individualized basis at the Howells/Dodge Learning Center located at Howells High School.

Other area colleges offering on and off campus courses within a 45-mile radius of Howells are:

• Wayne State College - Wayne, NE
• Northeast Community College - Norfolk, NE
• Metro Community College - Fremont, NE
• Central Community College - Platte Campus - Columbus, NE
• Midland Lutheran College - Fremont, NE
• Bahner College of Hairstyling - Fremont, NE
• Columbus Beauty College - Columbus, NE

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Library

The Howells Public Library contains 9,200 items, with an average monthly checkout of 450 items. The library offers a five-week children's story hour in the summer. The library staff and board attend area meetings and activities to stay abreast of changes in library services.

The library also has valuable equipment such as a micro-film reader/printer with the Howells Journal Archives.  Also have a laminator, copier and FAX.  The library has four computers for public use, two with internet access. 

The 2008 library staff is Director Lorraine Gall and Assistant Director Paula Tichota. Board members and local teachers volunteer their services when needed. Summer story hour for pre-school through third grade students is held each Wednesday during June.  A Summer Reading Program is also offered for fourth through sixth grade. During the school year, the Howells Woman's Club has a story hour once a month for pre-school children. The Howells Public Library Foundation, Inc. is now accepting donations.

School art is displayed on a large bulletin board purchased by the Library Foundation during the school year.  People may display their collections or crafts in a locked display case.

The Howells Public Library is a member of the Colfax County Library Association.

For more information contact Library Trustee Pat Jakubowski, PO Box 337, Howells, NE 68641, (402) 986-1210 or E-mail: lmgall2003@yahoo.com

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Recreation

There are two parks in Howells covering 27 ½ acres. The first park, City Park, has undergone many transformations since children planted trees there in 1888. In 1919, the American Legion set up a monument bearing the names of the area World War I veterans. Later, playground equipment and a shelter were added. Now, on Memorial Day, City Park becomes an “Avenue of Flags.”

In 1938, the village purchased 18 acres for the second park, Community Park. Volunteers planted trees and built a tennis court. By 1961 Community Park contained a lighted football field, softball field, picnic shelter, horseshoe court, and playground equipment.

Other facilities at the two parks include swimming pool, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, ball diamond, horse arena, multi-purpose field, sand volleyball court and three picnic shelters. Five playgrounds throughout the town contain playground equipment. Organized baseball and softball programs are available for boys and girls through age 12. An ice skating arena is available in season near downtown Howells.

Annual celebrations include:

Howells Ballroom

The famous Howells Ballroom was recognized nationally as one of the best dance halls in this part of the country in the early part of the century. The Howells Ballroom used to average over 200 dances per year. The Howells Volunteer Fire Department volunteers their time and services to the operation of this self-supporting ballroom. This handicap-accessible ballroom features a complete bar and hot snack shop plus popcorn.  This ballroom has wonderful facilities for wedding receptions.

Phone (402) 986-1236 or (402) 986-1429 for dance information or renting the ballroom. The Manager is Dave Eurek.

Golf Courses Close To Howells

Howells Hot Shots (Band)

The Hot Shots played for many joyful occasions such as name-sake days, conventions, holiday concerts, wedding receptions, parties, and dances. Hot Shots has music cassettes available for sale, in 1997 they had a VHS tape made of their band which is also available for sale. For more information contact Randy Baumert at (402) 986-1109 or e-mail bauele@qwestoffice.net.

Don Telecky Polka Band

The latest polka and waltz dance band formed by a few local musical gentlemen. Contact (402) 986-1631.

Horse Shows- Part of Howells History

The Howells Overland Riders was organized in the fall of 1962. Club members participate in area parades and local horse shows. A club flag was designed by the club's members and hand sewn by the women. Since 1964, the club has held their open horse shows every year on Father's Day, a junior show has been added. In 1968 the town gave the Howells Overland Riders the ground east of where the swimming pool is now located for an arena. They erected a metal building to help hold their shows and activities. Through the years, members have competed in area shows in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. In 1974 the club held the Northeast Saddle Club Round-Up with all the clubs of northeast Nebraska attending. One hundred-fourteen members have been riders over the years. Contact Gerald Vering, 821 Main Street, Howells, NE 68641, (402) 986-1345.

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Clubs

The following clubs are active in the Howells area:

The following local club member is active on our State Level.

Museums and Memorabilia

The Howells Historical Museum, 214 Center Street, is open from 10am-1pm every Sunday (Father's Day through Labor Day). The museum contains a collection of memorabilia depicting the early history of Howells and the surrounding community. For more information call (402) 986-1517.

Howell's Congregational Church, 4th & Center, erected the first church building in Howells. In 1974 citizens agreed to establish a historical museum in the building which is open to the public upon request. Contact the Howells Historical Society, (402) 986-1517, for more information.

Dance Studio

DANCIN' ON 2nd STREET is a recreational dance studio with classes from September to June. The studio is run by Jamie Blum and Susie & Ashley Pokorny. If interested in tap, jazz, or ballet lessons, call (402) 986-1387.

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