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Bertrand, Nebraska

Indomitable spirit keeps Bertrand vibrant and dynamic

Bertrand is alive with heart and soul! You can feel it in the warmth of the community coming together on a starlit night to munch homegrown sweet corn and barbecue at a fundraiser for a family who needs a hand-up. You can hear it in the way Bertrand High School teachers describe the triumphs of their graduates and the talents of their current students. School children, teachers, business owners, and employees describe friendliness unmatched in larger communities. In spirit, Bertrand is the true heartland of America.

“Affordable, walkable, and livable describe Bertrand,” says Bob Dahlgren, CEO of Bertrand Bank. “If being known by your neighbor, living in a clean, safe community with a minimal tax burden, and being among people who take time to form friendships is important to you, you will enjoy Bertrand.”

Bertrand’s location on Highway 23, only 16 miles south of Interstate 80 and a mid-point between McCook, Cambridge, Holdrege and Lexington, offers short commutes on less traveled roads for jobs and recreation in the region, as well as easy access to Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha.

Rodeo and parade capital of Nebraska

Proclaimed by the Governor as the “Rodeo and Parade Capitol of Nebraska”, Bertrand has earned a statewide reputation for a fun-filled fair, parade and professional rodeo in June of every year.

“In Bertrand, as if it were written into law, our children and grandchildren return home for the fair, parade and rodeo,” says Jan Johnson, Chamber of Commerce President. “They plan their vacation time at the end of June, and they come home.”

Johnson says the community organizes for 500 people per night at the fair and rodeo and arranges camp chairs on Main Street for over 1,000 people to watch the parade – almost half again the entire population of the town.

The Bertrand fair and rodeo is locally managed and paid for. Jane Tonjes, community leader and Para-educator in the Bertrand school system takes a deep breath and ticks off the main events. “We have a horse show...a volley ball tournament...the Bertrand/Smithfield alumni banquet...community worship where all the churches come together for a service...a barbecue...a car show...a Kiddies Parade on Sunday night where we invite all the children to dress up and parade...grandstand entertainment...the election of a Miss Bertrand...a livestock show...games and contests for all ages...a professional rodeo sponsored by the Nebraska State Rodeo Association...a carnival...and an amazing parade on the Tuesday afternoon before the rodeo.”

Johnson says modern rodeo facilities attract top rodeo riders and many fans. A generous donation from the Roy Gardine family, long time residents of Bertrand jump-started the new rodeo grounds. “The community came together and worked very, very hard to build new pens and a stadium,” Johnson said.

Reinventing themselves

But resting on past successes doesn’t hold up in Bertrand.

“Our committees keep reinventing themselves,” says Johnson. “We have a meeting only one day after our annual volunteer appreciation dinner to hear new ideas.” During one of these “reinventing” meetings, they learned that crowds complained because they had several hours to fill between the parade and rodeo and nothing to do. The complaint inspired a popular, new event called “The Walk Down Medina.” A wide, tree-lined and shady street, Medina connects the downtown with the city park. Neighbors on Medina Street, with help from the community, plan games for the children, food booths and displays for adults.

“We usually have a coin toss, and some of the displays have included bird houses, quilts, vintage clothing, tea cups and tea pots, dolls, bears, table settings,” says Johnson. “It’s great fun and people enjoy it.”

Adds Tonjes, “In Bertrand when something needs repairing or improving, we explore the possibilities and take action. As an example, the tennis courts behind the school were crumbling. The community decided to build a new tennis court. Different organizations and clubs raised the money, and today our tennis court is new and among the best in the region.

“I believe everyone is born with the volunteer spirit, and if your family teaches you by example to be a volunteer, you learn to do it at an early age. We are usually doing something for Bertrand because we were raised that way,” says Tonjes.

Adds Linda Schmidt, owner of the Main Street Market, “When you’re blessed like that, you like to pass it on. We teach our children to work, play, be together and give back.”

A school system that works

The Bertrand school system meets and then surpasses its mission to educate students.

“Small rural schools work,” says Greg Barnes, Superintendent of Schools in Bertrand. “We know our educational system is effective because 80 to 90 percent of Bertrand High School graduates take the ACT test, and their scores are nearly always higher than state averages in Nebraska, with Nebraska scores usually topping other states.”

According to Barnes, in most all other tests, Bertrand student scores stack up well and more than hold their own among schools with larger enrollments. This is due in part to class sizes that average only 18 students per class.

“The educational system works best when teachers know the students and the families,” says Barnes. “In Bertrand, education is a community effort and every student is known. We nurture their individual talents and skills.”

Green space, slower pace

Proximity to green space and superior recreation facilities attract families and retirees to Bertrand.

“Families buy or build a home in Bertrand because they want a safe community, low cost of living, a slower pace of life and easy access to recreation,” says Craig Mickey, banker and Bertrand booster.

“Within one hour’s drive, I can fish in four reservoirs with statewide reputations for excellent fishing or play golf at courses in Holdrege, Alma, Oxford, Johnson Lake, Cambridge, Elwood, Bertrand and Arapahoe.” He adds, “My house is three blocks from the Hi-Line Golf Course, the nicest nine-hole golf course in the region, and a family membership costs only $300 a year.” He noted that both bird and game hunting are also excellent in the Bertrand area.

Newcomers feel accepted soon after they arrive. “People take you in very easily here,” says Tonjes. “We are a welcoming community.”

In a very plainspoken way, Martha Ford, Bertrand entrepreneur and educator, sums up what to her living in Bertrand and rural Nebraska is all about.

“Rural Nebraska offers a simple life and a good life. Our pace is slower and we take time to do the things that matter in the community. Our living expenses are less in a small rural community. We still cook for ourselves and often grow our own food. We eat fresh foods, and we eat in, so we eat better. Rural life is different from urban life. We are so comfortable with ourselves. We trust each other, and we like being together in our community work.”

If that describes the kind of life you’re looking for, you won’t find it in greater abundance than in Bertrand.

Who to Contact

Greg Barnes, Superintendent
Bertrand Public Schools
308-472-3427
gbarnes@esu11.org

Jan Johnson
Bertrand Chamber President
Bertrand Veterinary Clinic
(308) 472-5039
Jans3_kej@yahoo.com

Bob Dahlgren, CEO
Bank of Bertrand
308-472-3411
bobf@charterinternet.com

Linda Schmidt
Main Street Market
308-472-3311

Martha Ford, Entrepreneur
www.swingupinvert.com

Jane Tonjes, Para-educator
Bertrand School
jhtonjes@charter.net

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