Tineses, Mayers receive Fair honors

By Shari Friedel

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

Tom and Barb Tines of Venango have been selected as Grand Marshals of the Perkins County Fair parade for 2022.

The Tineses have lived in the little town of Venango for 42 years, and have witnessed many changes through the last four decades.

Barb, originally from Ravenna, and Tom from Bartley, Neb., both attended college at Kearney State, but didn’t meet until they both ended up in Paxton, Neb.; Barb as a school teacher and Tom employed at a fertilizer company.

After three years of married life in Paxton, they made the move to Venango with connections to the town through family. They have lived there ever since, Tom being employed at Dudden Elevator, and Barb holding a variety of jobs associated with the school: para, sub, bus driver. They raised their three children, Andrea, Mark and John there.

After the closing of the Venango School, Barb spent five years as secretary at Perkins County Elementary and 10 at the courthouse in the clerk’s office.

Their busy lives now include farming on their own, participating in civic projects, and when they can, visiting their children who live in Durant, Iowa; Omaha and Olathe, Kan.

Tom currently serves as chairman of the Venango Village Board and the Perkins County Planning and Zoning Board. Barb serves on the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund Board. Both belong to the Lions Club and are active in the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.

A recent accomplishment the Tineses were involved in was the installation of a new playground in the local park. They were pleased that so many volunteers of all ages helped with the project. A nomination letter said, “Projects at the Legion Park will find Tom right in the middle of them. He puts in a lot of time making Venango better.”

The Tineses were surprised humbled by their nomination as Grand Marshal, saying that there are many people deserving of the honor.

Good neighbor

Riding in the fair parade this year as the community’s Good Neighbor is Mike and Donna Mayer of Grant, both well known for their friendly and caring natures. 

Born and raised in Perkins County, Mike in Grant and Donna on a farm north of Elsie, they both love where they live and wouldn’t consider living anywhere else, they said.

“I loved growing up on the farm,” said Donna. “It was a good life.”

Mike considers Grant “the best kept secret,” and feels thankful and blessed for the life he has here, among family and friends.

High school sweethearts, they began dating when Donna was a sophomore at Wheatland in Madrid, and Mike a junior at Perkins County High School. A friend who was anxious for them to meet encouraged the romance that has endured for more than four decades, with Mayers having just celebrated their 43rd anniversary.

“We were babies when we got married!” said Donna, she being 19 at the time and Mike 20. 

Each had only spent one year away from their home towns, Donna in North Platte where she went to cosmetology school, and Mike in Chadron, where he went to college.

They spent the first year of their married life tending to Mike’s grandma’s farm south of Madrid, and still have many happy memories of that time.

The two moved to town when Mike was hired at the Grant Co-op, and they settled in and raised three children, Molly, Drew and Brad. Mike has spent his entire career in the ag business, employed by farmer’s co-ops, Cornhusker Ag and most recently, Nutrien.

In addition, he has refereed and coached basketball for the last 35 years.

Donna has held a variety of jobs, as a beautician, at the Grant Tribune, a bank, and the local schools. Her first job in high school was at Golden Ours Convalescent Home, caring for the elderly. She feels she has come “full circle” as she now helps her daughter-in-law care for children at her in-home daycare.

Donna also serves on the Westview Board of Directors and they are both members of the United Methodist Church in Grant.

Outside of work and extra duties, the Mayers just live simply and enjoy the little things like taking weekly Sunday drives and getting together with family. They strive to brighten the day of everyone they encounter with a smile, greeting or visit. 

“In keeping with this year’s fair theme, Mike and Donna have always shown their true colors with pride in their community,” said members of the committee making the selection of this year’s Good Neighbor recipients.

In response to their nomination, Mayers felt a mix of emotions, “honored, totally humbled and a little unworthy,” they said. “There are so many good people in Perkins County.”

The Mayers attribute their positve outlook to values instilled by their parents, Don and Ruby Porter, who have both passed away, and the late Royston and Norma Mayer. 

“My parents always taught me to treat others how I would want to be treated,” said Donna.