The second annual Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska will be held June
5 at the Robb Ranch southeast of Lexington with Dr. Joe and Dianne Jeffrey
serving as hosts. The ball is held to promote beef in a healthy diet and
to showcase rural Nebraska. All the money raised will stay in Nebraska
with 90 percent of the proceeds going toward ground floor research projects
at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Center. The
remaining 10 percent will be directed to health care in Lexington.
Dr. Jeffrey said, “This is a real honor for the Robb Ranch to be celebrating
our 125th year of existance with a big event like the Cattlemen’s Ball
of Nebraska. The money goes for a great cause.”
“Where the Trails and Streams Converge” is the theme of the ball incorporating
the historic avenues that cross the ranch. The Platte River runs through
the ranch along with the Plum Creek, Phelps Canal, Oregon Trail, California
Trail and Pony Express.
The feature entertainment for this year’s event will be provided by
country artist Michael Peterson. His hit songs include “By the Book,”
“From Here to Eternity,” and “Love’s Great.” Other activities
will include a style show, live and silent auctions, an art show, and a
general store. A wild horse handler will work with a wild horse,
and a trick rider also will perform.
The day will conclude with a dance featuring Karen Breiner and the Midnight
Express. For people arriving a day early, a 4-person scramble golf tournament
will be held at Lakeside Country Club near Johnson Lake on June 4.
Only 3,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available through the Lexington
Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 606-8098 or (308) 324-5724. Trail Boss
tickets are $500 (two tickets) and Top Hand tickets are $50 each.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute designated
cancer center — a distinction held by only 55 centers in the country.
Of the $34 million in research grants and contracts awarded to UNMC in
1997-98, Eppley researchers generated more than $20 million.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. UNMC’s educational programs
are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska
than any other institution.