HARLAN -- Placing first in 33 out of 78 events and setting five school records on the day, Harlan Community’s summer swim team won its 11th consecutive Western Iowa Swim League conference meet championship on Saturday, July 8 at the Norman D.

 PORTSMOUTH -- Heath Stein homered twice and Justin Schaben added a home run and a double to lead Portsmouth over Walnut 5-1 in the championship game of the Iowa Western Amateur Baseball League Tournament on Sunday, July 30, in Portsmouth. Portsmouth outhit Walnut 7-6 and there was just one error in the ball game. Brett Croghan pitched a complete game six-hitter for the win, allowing only Andrew Sachs’ fifth-inning solo home run.

WALNUT -- Neal and Ardythe Smith of Walnut will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house on Sunday, September 3 from 2-8 p.m. at their farm at 210 Redwood Rd, Walnut. 

WEST POINT, NE -- Caitlin Bak and Jason Eisenmann both of Gretna announce their engagement. The couple plans to wed on September 2 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point. 

HARLAN -- Katie Kroger and Kyle Haake both of Des Moines will marry on September 9 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.    Katie is the daughter of Jayne and Mark Kohorst, Harlan; and Craig and Deanne Kroger, Harlan. Kyle is the son of Darin and Tammy Haake, Harlan. 

ATLANTIC -- Katlyn Mudd and Aaron Sondag both of Elk Horn will exchange marriage vows on September 9 at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. 

ELK HORN -- Laura Christine Smith and Tate Douglas Stetzel both of Guthrie Center will marry  in September at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. 

HARLAN -- Joseph and Rosemary Vandenberg of Kirkman will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on August 13. A 50th renewal of vows was held on April 26, 2017 officiated by the same priest, Father George Murphy, that performed their wedding ceremony.

PORTSMOUTH -- Kelsey Cro-ghan and Jarad Gaskill both of Irwin exchanged marriage vows on July 22, 2017 at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Father John Dorton and Father David Smith performed the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Bob and Janet Croghan, Portsmouth; and Greg and Lori Gaskill, Irwin.