Celebrate Arbor Day, April 25-27, where it all began—Arbor Day Farm! Enjoy a weekend of nature-inspired activities, family fun, and tree-filled traditions. Make it a getaway with an overnight stay at Lied Lodge. Visit arbordayfarm.org for details and reservations.
Sylvan Road | Nebraska City, Nebraska arbordayfarm.org
Home. There is so much contained in such a small word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while home looks different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds in our hearts is undeniable.
Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” This is so true, and we see this repeatedly in our household. It doesn’t seem to matter where we go, whether it’s a trip to see family or a weeklong vacation in the mountains, something happens when we return home. Our children seem to get lost on their little island of play and make-believe. Sometimes this will last for days. It’s old and familiar, yet new and exciting at the same time. It truly is magical!
But home doesn’t need to be defined as the walls we live inside each day. We can have other places that may feel like home as well. Maybe it’s an opportunity to connect with nature. Maybe it’s a place that makes us feel better. Maybe it’s somewhere that allows us to feel like we are part of a community greater than our individual selves.
As we put together this issue we wanted to concentrate on these two themes: the beauty and essence of our own home and the beauty and opportunity of a home away from home!
So, the next time you are sipping your coffee or tea, whether it be in your own home, a favorite destination, or somewhere brand new, I encourage you to ask yourself an honest question. Does this feel like home? Because if it does, you will likely end that thought with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. That’s when you know you are truly at home!
Have a great March, Papillion!
PUBLISHER
Kyler Hendrickson | kyler.hendrickson@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Amy Hendrickson | amy.hendrickson@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Amanda Mills | amanda.mills@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Kristen Muldoon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Vince Mancuso, Kathy Nickerson, Amy Hendrickson, Sean O’Keefe
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
A2i Photography, Joseph Saaid, Suzanne Luttig, Rebecca Marie
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
1: The 55+ Club held a Coffee with a Cop event at the Papillion Landing. 2: Police Chief Whitted and City Administrator Amber Powers awarded the 2024 Officer of the Year to Alex Gress. 3: Papillion Area Lions Club served 883 meals at their annual Spaghetti Dinner. 4: Kids Day Off: students joined 55+ Club for Spry Friday Dancing. 5: Canvas Salon & Day Spa hosted a skin care event: Glow Beyond the Spa. 6: Meta and PLCS Foundation unveiled a cutting-edge studio, empowering students with hands-on broadcasting experience! 7: Participants had fun at the Mom & Son Glow Dance at the Papillion Landing.
Reimagine your home with custom closet systems from ShelfGenie Omaha. Their expert designs for walk-in closets, reach-in closets, and wardrobe units ensure every item has a place. Extend the organization to your laundry room, mudroom, or garage with tailored solutions that fit your lifestyle. ShelfGenie of Omaha turns challenging storage areas into practical, stylish spaces. Ready for a home refresh? Call 402.608.9402 to learn more and schedule your free consultation!
Cabin Coffee Co. recently opened its first Nebraska location in Papillion, near 96th and Portal Road. Franchise owners Todd and Shelly Petersen, along with Brett and Shannon Taylor, spent two years bringing the café to the area. The drive-thru offers a variety of hot and cold drinks, breakfast and lunch wraps, baked goods, and more. Founded in 2002, Cabin Coffee now has 26 locations across eight states, emphasizing quality, community, and fresh in-house roasted coffee.
Your new pickleball home is here, rain or shine! Midwest Pickleball Club (MPC) presents 14 dedicated indoor pickleball courts equipped with live-streaming capabilities, along with a full-service coffee shop, a bar, and lounge areas. MPC is the home for pickleballers of any level due to our wide range of offerings including lessons, open play, leagues, and tournaments. Come see us on March 7th for our grand opening! Check midwest pickleballclub.com for more updates!
Empowering women through strength, community, and fitness
“For the most part, women don’t think they’re strong enough to lift, or lifting is not for them, and I think one of the things that we want to instill in the community is strength training is good for everyone.” – Leslie Le
Chris and Leslie Le are bringing a unique fitness experience with the new Victress MVMT Papillion-La Vista, an all-women’s fitness facility located off 84th and Giles.
“We’re very welcoming. It’s not an aggressively competitive environment; it’s all about being better than you were yesterday,” says Leslie, who has been a member at Victress Elkhorn gym for the past four years, describing the movement as a different kind of energy. “I had never experienced this type of energy anywhere else, and I’m excited to bring that to the Papillion-La Vista area.”
The Les chose the location due to their appreciation of the unique feel Papillion-La Vista provides.
“We are originally from Los Angeles, and we’re used to driving,” Chris says. “We drive all around the Metro Area, and the Papillion-La Vista area just has this good, family-friendly feeling that drew us to the location.”
Victress focuses primarily on barbell work, dumbbells, and strength training tailored to women’s unique physiology. Their programs align with life stages, offering adolescence, prenatal, postnatal, and peri/ post menopause options.
“For the most part, women don’t think they’re strong enough to lift, or lifting is not for them, and I think one of the things that we want to instill in the community is strength training is good for everyone throughout your life. It’s important to start yesterday,” says Leslie. “I think it just makes you a better person, a better mom. It gives you ‘me-time’ per say.”
Chris explains that while the free weights are central, cardio is available, and members can choose between guided programs or independent workouts. “We have enough space to train 11 racks, and a coach will often be able to rotate stations.”
Multiple membership options are available, including options with 24/7 access and unlimited fitness classes. Victress also offers private training, on-site massage therapists, and an off-site registered dietitian at a discounted rate. Free childcare is included in all memberships, ensuring accessibility for busy moms. Coming from a military family, Chris and Leslie also offer military and healthcare worker discounts.
victressmvmtplv.com | 402.881.0153
Glamping at Kimberly Creek Retreat is about more than glamorous camping
Most people think of glamping as glamorous camping. Chris Peterson says glamping at Kimberly Creek Retreat near Ashland, Nebraska, is something more. It’s an experience.
All the cabins and domes have heat, air-conditioning, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and luxurious beds. But Kimberly Creek also has trails to hike, birds to watch, legends to learn, treasures to find, an escape room to master, and a creek to explore.
They even offer fancy S’mores in waffle cones.
Kimberly Creek was born in 2018 when Peterson decided to do something with the land his family had enjoyed for years. That’s when he met Mike Kennedy.
“Mike was the younger man with the drive,” Peterson says, “and he wanted to build.”
Together, they mapped out a place where guests could experience nature while enjoying the comforts of a nice hotel. Lots of hard work followed with research, zoning, and infrastructure.
The first cabin arrived as an empty shell. Peterson and Kennedy designed and built the interior, added a deck, and named it The Homestead. Peterson’s wife insisted on a modern bathroom with a private indoor shower, which became the standard.
Next, they ordered glamping pods designed in Norway and shipped from Missouri. The Nook and The Cranny came finished and ready to go, each with a snug bathroom, kitchen, and living space.
They kept looking for ideas and soon added the first two geodomes in Nebraska. The domes arrived in kits like a giant Tinker Toy set, which made construction and design interesting. The result is elegant.
Peterson and Kennedy wanted Kimberly Creek to be a place families enjoyed together. So, they created a scavenger hunt with small children in mind.
“It’s a pretty easy hunt,” Peterson says, “but Mom can send the kids out to look for clues while she gets settled and unpacked.”
Opposite Top: “The Nook” Euro Style Glamping Pod.
Opposite Bottom Left: “The Bin” Glamping Cabin.
Opposite Bottom Right: On-Site Scavenger Hunt.
Above: Hot Tub Gazebo at “The Sundowner”.
“MOST PEOPLE THINK OF GLAMPING AS GLAMOROUS CAMPING. GLAMPING AT KIMBERLY CREEK
SOMETHING MORE. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE.”
If that isn’t enough to keep kids busy, the retreat also has a children’s playhouse and a natural playground with logs to walk and spots to explore.
A recent addition is the escape room based on local legend Dynamite Pete which comes with a complete history and a mystery to solve.
One perk of Kimberly Creek is the lack of screens. Although every cabin has electricity and plumbing, they don’t come with Wi-Fi. That’s done on purpose, so guests
have a true getaway. But Peterson and Kennedy knew they needed something to introduce teenagers to the great outdoors.
“They can use their phones,” Peterson said, “so we created a scavenger hunt that uses GPS coordinates.” This hunt is based on a real-life UFO experience by an Ashland police officer in 1967.
The focus is on the experience: a family weekend, a private retreat, a friends’ getaway, or a corporate group looking for team-building time.
“We don’t promote ourselves as a wedding venue,” Peterson says, “but we’ve had some small weddings here.” Families rent out the whole retreat, so everyone has a place to stay. Then they have an outdoor ceremony under the pavilion or along Pawnee Creek.
After welcoming its first guest in 2019, the retreat has continued to grow. Today it features eleven units with decks and fire pits. Several cabins have a private hot tub surrounded by twinkle lights and cedar trees.
The largest unit includes three private bedrooms and a blue-tooth-enabled jukebox in the living room. The towel rack is a motorcycle.
When it’s time to eat, guests can bring groceries or visit a nearby steakhouse. They can also order the handy glamping
meals available at the retreat. Don’t forget the fancy S’mores.
If you are looking for a unique experience with family or friends – or if you want a private retreat – consider this short drive from Papillion.
It is easy to find your place at Kimberly Creek. You can visit the website to reserve online or give them a call. You can even purchase a gift certificate.
When you arrive, someone will personally greet you at your cabin and ensure you have everything you need. At the end of your stay, remember to add your name to one of the picket fences around the retreat. You’ll want to revisit that spot every time you come back to glamp again.
Your child can avoid the math learning loss that typically happens over the break by attending summer sessions at Mathnasium. And the benefits don’t stop there!
• Faster progress is possible without the distraction of other academic commitments
• We’re vacation-friendly, with live face-to-face instruction, both in-center and online
• Kids can start the new school year with confidence Mathnasium of Papillion (844) 984-MATH (6284) • mathnasium.com/papillion 304 Olson Drive #113, Papillion
ARTICLE BY AMY HENDRICKSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH SAAID
Holly Schneidewind, owner of Eagle Mortgage, has been helping clients buy and refinance their homes for over 32 years. After beginning her career in banking, Schneidewind transitioned into the mortgage business with a desire to learn something new. She was then mentored by the previous owner of Eagle Mortgage, eventually leading to the opportunity to purchase the company in 2000. At the time, Schneidewind recalls, “I was on maternity leave with a new baby, but after discussing with my husband, we decided to take the leap.” That leap has led to a fulfilling career driven by a passion to help others achieve homeownership.
Schneidewind takes pride in guiding clients through the mortgage process and believes real estate is one of the most important investments a person can make. She encourages younger generations to buy property early to help build long-term financial success. At Eagle Mortgage, Schneidewind and her team treat every client like family, always striving to provide the best solutions, even if that means guiding them to another option.
“The most important thing is how clients feel at the end of the process. I want them to feel like they are our number one priority.”
Here, Schneidewind answers common questions asked by current and future homeowners.
What are some important things to consider when buying a home?
When buying a home, it’s important to talk to a mortgage loan officer who will review the numbers with you to determine your budget, educate you on the process, and help you get pre-approved.
If you already own a home, there are additional items to consider. Will you need to sell your current home first? Can you sell it later or turn it into a rental property? When combining households, it’s also important to discuss what to do with each property. These are questions we talk through together to find the right solution for your needs.
What about refinancing? How do you know when it is worthwhile?
Homeowners with a higher loan balance tend to benefit more from a small interest rate change. To determine if refinancing makes sense, we look at factors such as how long you’ll be in the house, your current interest rate, how much you owe, the value of your home, and your credit score. From there, we can monitor interest rates, watching for the right time to act.
What does it mean to be a mortgage broker?
As a mortgage broker, we work with multiple lenders, allowing us to shop the market for the best interest rate. Lenders compete for your business, and we pass those savings along to you.
How have you been able to maintain such a positive client experience all these years?
The most important thing is how clients feel at the end of the process. I want them to feel like they are our number one priority. There are three of us in the office, so if one of us isn’t available when a client has a question, the others are always ready to help. Communication is key, and we make sure our clients feel informed and supported throughout the entire process.
eaglemortgagecompany.com | 402.397.7180
NMLS #2376
Holly has been in the mortgage industry and has worked for Eagle Mortgage for over 30 years. In that time, she has held many titles giving her a wide range of knowledge when it comes to mortgages, which helps to ensure that she is giving the best advice possible!
Currently, Holly is the owner/president of Eagle Mortgage and is ready to assist you with your mortgage loan. More importantly get you into the dream home or help save you money on the one you are already in. We make it easy to apply online! Our team at Eagle Mortgage have helped thousands of customers with their refinance or purchase over the years and love seeing repeat customers! Contact us today!
TRUSTED LIFE CHOICES HELPS FAMILIES LOVE AND CARE FOR SENIORS
ARTICLE BY VINCE MANCUSO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA MARIE
Life’s transitions include realizing the parents who once cared for you now need care themselves. With proper knowledge and early intervention, you can ensure your elderly loved ones receive the care they need.
“It’s always hard to sit across from the people who took care of you from infancy and say they now need some help,” says Sandra Miller, owner of Trusted Life Choices, “but the sooner you can intervene, the more likely you can help that parent to stay in their home—which is ultimately what they want to do.”
Trusted Life Choices, previously known as Key Home Care, has operated for over a decade. With Medicaid waiver contracts, private pay, and long-term care insurance options, they provide individualized care for seniors and people with disabilities.
Miller, a social worker by trade, entered the business after discovering her passion for helping the senior community. “I wanted to offer services so people can remain living in their homes as long as possible,” she says.
The company provides various services including meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands, and personal care. Services range from 24/7 in-home care to weekly visits.
Miller identifies several key indicators that show loved ones may need assistance:
• Unexplained weight loss or gain due to not fixing meals or prolonged inactivity
• Frequent falls or injuries
• Missing medication
• Signs of cognitive decline
• Difficulty managing finances
• Behavior changes, such as becoming untidy or missing mail
• Repeated use of the same outfit without laundering
• Troubles with basic self-care, such as bathing
“It’s hard, especially if you’re seeing your parents every day, because these things can happen slowly,” Miller says. She notes many won’t admit to falling until bruising becomes visible.
For those beginning this conversation about care, Miller recommends an informal introduction where potential clients can meet her, ask questions, and ease into the process. She emphasizes having these discussions early.
“There are a lot of choices out there for agencies like mine. If you know your mom and dad need care, and you have that conversation, now you have time to interview several agencies.”
This proactive approach allows families to find the best fit and build trust, enabling family members to focus on being family while the agency provides care.
Prepare your home for spring storms and summer heat with Thompson & Thompson 3rd Generation, Inc. We specialize in top-quality materials like Euroshield roof shingles, designed to withstand the toughest weather while adding style to your home.
Trust three generations of experience to keep your home safe and beautiful year-round.
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Husband and wife team Sally Jochens and Dale Kers have dedicated years to serving their community through NeighborGood, ensuring neighbors facing food insecurity receive the support they need.
Sally, a retired nurse, began volunteering more than a decade ago. She started by helping with neighbor services and then served on the board of directors for 6 years, including serving as board president during NeighborGood’s rebranding. Dale joined her efforts 7 years ago. He helps with sorting donations by date and weekly deliveries. Both are passionate about expanding NeighborGood’s reach, especially with the new location opening this spring that will allow neighbors to choose their own groceries.
Their commitment proves that small efforts can have a big impact. “You feel like you make a difference,” Dale says.
For more information on volunteer opportunities and how to get involved with NeighborGood, visit neighborgoodpantry.org.
Our Hometown Heroes section, sponsored by Debbie Meyer BHHS Realtor, honors outstanding Papillion citizens bi-monthly. Do you know someone who deserves the spotlight? Send us a message with your nomination!
Papillion Landing | 6:00 AM
Dive into the challenge! Swim a total of 17,000 yards during March for a chance to win a swim gear swag bag. Open to Papillion Landing members and paid guests, this event is perfect for swimmers of all levels. Track your progress and make a splash this month!
MARCH 7TH
Papillion Landing | 5:00 PM
Join the 55+ Club for Painting Picassos, a fun evening of creativity, drinks, and snacks at Papillion Landing! Bring friends of all skill levels and enjoy this relaxing event. Open to anyone 21 and older, with a cost of $10 per session. Don’t miss out on this artistic night!
MARCH 11TH
Central Park East, La Vista | 5:00 PM
Enjoy an evening of sweet treats and scenic views at S’mores and Sunsets! Gather around the fire to make s’mores while soaking in a breathtaking sunset. This relaxing, family-friendly event is open to all ages, and no registration is needed. Bring your love for the outdoors and join us for a cozy night! Hosted by the City of La Vista.
MARCH 12TH
Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing
Heights Draft Room | 3:00 PM
Enjoy a unique pairing of beer flights and Girl Scout cookies, curated by Heights Draft Room! Stop by anytime to try four delicious combinations. Girl Scout Troop 48308 will also be on-site selling and taking cookie orders. Don’t miss this sweet and savory event!
MARCH 22ND
City of La Vista Bands and Brews
The Astro Theater | 5:00 PM
Enjoy a night of live music featuring The Broadways, Speck Nelson, The Ralstones, and headliners Hector Anchondo Band. This FREE all-ages event at the Astro is the perfect way to kick off spring. Grab your friends, enjoy the brews, and experience the best local talent!
APRIL 5TH 3rd Annual LibraryCon
Papillion Landing | 9:00 AM
Join the fun at LibraryCon 2025! This family-friendly event has something for all ages, including a cosplay competition, crafts, food trucks, and local vendors and artists. Whether you're a comic book fan or just love pop culture, it's a day you won’t want to miss!
Want to be featured?
The ubiquitous houseplant has long been a cautious curiosity for many. Comments such as “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I can’t keep anything alive,” have echoed through the rooms and hallways of almost every home in America. Well, it’s time to dispel all the mistruths about whether houseplants are beneficial and to lay the foundation for a little oasis of green happiness in the corner of every home!
By the way, you don’t really need a green thumb as there are plenty of hard-to-kill houseplants that can survive any level of neglect! And remember not only do houseplants look pretty, they also decrease stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and bring a sense of joy and relaxation to every room.
Houseplants make us feel better about ourselves in many ways because they allow us to care for them and we reap the rewards of that love. No one is alone when you have a houseplant, as they are our forever listeners. Yes, some people actually do talk with their houseplants all day long! There are many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment. Aside from reducing indoor air pollutants and increasing humidity in the home, house
plants have been shown to reduce mental fatigue, accelerate the healing process, as well as improve productivity and focus.
Pothos, spider plants, lady palms, yucca, and succulents are so pretty and easy to grow. It is no wonder that we have seen a revival of indoor gardening trends. Instagram is teeming with photos of incredible indoor “living green” vignettes that show us all how clever we can be when decorating with house plants! All you really need is to a pick a place in the home that has the best light and pick your plants.
ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE
Think outside of the box when it comes to decorating with houseplants. Look for underused spaces. Use mixed and matched pots of different sizes and shapes. Turn a shelf into a plant display. Go vertical with some hanging plants or an antique ladder. You can even group some of your favorite plants together into a single large decorative pot.
Signature large plant displays anchor the most well-designed rooms in America and it’s all there for us to look at, learn from, and bring into our own home. Whether combined into a single large decorative pot or clustered together in a corner, always remember the key to any house plant décor is to have a thriller, a tall plant usually with a strong color and form; filler plants that literally will fill the pot covering all the soil; and a spiller plant that trails over the edge of the pot. Try any combination of your favorite plants or a tried and true combination of a fiddle-leaf fig, a prayer plant, and a string of pearls. No matter how you look at it, houseplants improve our lives in many ways. Indoor gardens provide us an alternative way to commune with nature and to reconnect with the living world. We all benefit from the additional life that houseplants bring into our homes. In this crazy world of ours, wouldn’t be it nice to return home to your own personal indoor greenspace.
Happy gardening!
GAME DAY: TUESDAY, MAY 6TH | FIRST PITCH: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: HAWKS FIELD AT HAYMARKET PARK
