our guide to lincoln’s trails page 20
COVER SPONSOR
celebrating one year of BElevé Dance Company page 6
p p l i c ati o ns
for the 2024-2025 school year
Toddlers, infants, expecting parents, are eligible for Head Start, including families receiving SNAP benefits! Call (402) 875-9328 or scan the QR code to GET STARTED!
Dear Lincoln Kids Readers,
Fall is here, bringing with it new beginnings and cooler weather. This year is especially exciting for our family as both my 4th grader and kindergartner are heading to the same school! We can’t wait to see them start this new chapter together.
As we transition to fall, we’re looking forward to new adventures and family activities. This edition is packed with plenty of ideas to keep the fun going. Discover our team’s favorite trails on page 20, explore kid-approved afterschool snacks on page 26, and get into the spooky spirit with a creative Halloween craft on page 9. Don’t miss out on all the wonderful events that happened at BElevé Dance Company this year on page 6.
Fall in the Midwest is a magical time of year. With the colors of the changing leaves, the crisp air, and community events, Lincoln offers so many opportunities for families to enjoy this special time.
Here’s to a fantastic fall filled with adventure!
Editor-in-Chief
Elizabeth
When Angela Beery founded BElevé Dance Company last year, she had high hopes and big dreams for its future. With over 30 years of teaching experience in the dance industry, she was excited to share her dreams and create a dance experience like no other. Angela is grateful for all the beautiful blessings and honors BElevé achieved in its first year of business. Her expectations were exceeded when BElevé was nominated for two Lincoln Choice Awards, winning the Cheer and Dance category. It was one of those rare moments in life where dreams materialize into reality. “We’ve come such a long way in only one year,” says Angela. “I would like to thank all of the families, dancers, and staff for bringing the Lincoln community together in such a beautiful, artistic way.” Now, BElevé looks to build on its first-year success.
BElevé Dance Company is proud of its beautiful dance home. It has four spacious studios, each with “sprung” permanent marley flooring for every dancer’s safety and comfort as well as viewing windows for parents. The dance studio is also equipped with a study area and plenty of hang-out space for those longer days. The dancers love the feeling of being at home!
BElevé is a warm, welcoming space for all. Each dancer is greeted by Maureen White, Administration Director, as soon as they walk into the studio. Maureen is ready to get them started on their dance journey, no matter their skill level or previous experience. Although BElevé is home to a highly successful competition team, the studio is rooted in dance education.
BElevé looks to welcome new dancers who will soon thrive with year-round dance training and want to take their talent to the next level.
All dancers work toward the end goal, the recital – the perfect way to showcase what they learned, worked for, and put their passion into over the year. In the most recent recital, Act I was a full-length ballet, Anastasia. Act II featured outstanding performances in various styles of dance. It ended with magical performances by tiniest dancers, ages 2-4, with the Little Movers and Dance With Me class. As Angela says, “The recital is just the biggest, greatest, most magical event!”
BElevé offers a wide variety of classes for all ages and experience levels, from two-year-olds to adults, and numerous genres beyond the typical. Instructors are dedicated to educating students in all forms of dance, resulting in well-rounded, technical dancers. Of course, their talent in teaching the classics like ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and musical theatre is tremendous, but they also teach classes like yoga, Pilates, Movement Lab (teaching improvisation), Leaps and Turns, and Acro for Dancers through their partnership with Brigata. This past summer, BElevé offered complimentary classes to all registered students in Elevated Mindset (a sports psychology class) and Nutrition for Dancers as part of their devotion to the dancers’ health, art, and future. Every dancer can find what they are looking for at BElevé to make their dance dreams come true.
The staff’s enthusiasm for dance is reflected in their love of teaching their students. With thoroughly trained dancers, teachers, and mentors, each instructor has specialized in multiple genres of dance and has a deep desire to teach their knowledge to the next generation. Every ballet class is taught by Angela, allowing her to make personal connections with every dancer. The staff tracks their students’ progress is through Achievement Cards. Each dancer writes a goal for the year, and the staff does whatever it takes to help them reach their goal.
BElevé believes in how dance can impact a life; they want to see dancers dedicate their lives to what they love. It celebrates graduating seniors’ dedication to dance by highlighting them through photoshoots, social media spotlights, senior solos at the recital, and the Beyond BElevé Senior Scholarship. The latter rewards all dancers for every year of participation at BElevé and recognizes their dedication. All dancers will receive the Beyond BElevé cash scholarship at their final performance at the annual recital. Angela and her staff are honored to see these amazing dancers grow up and be a part of their dance journey and beyond.
Other BElevé scholarships include the Beery Legacy Scholarships, each awarded to a dancer who encapsulates the values and characteristics of one of Angela’s three children, who all dedicated their lives to dance, honoring their journey and giving back to three deserving dancers annually – Jack Beery Scholarship for Entertainment Excellence, Hudson Beery Scholarship for Versatility Excellence, and the Paxton Beery Scholarship for Artistry Excellence.
These scholarships are announced at the recital to celebrate the importance of each of these values and celebrate the accomplishments of the deserving dancers.
The first competitive year was an absolute success for the members of The Company at BElevé! “It’s amazing to see how much the team has grown in one year. I am so proud of every one of the dancers,” says Angela. With 36 dancers on the competitive dance team last season and 60 competition numbers, the season was beyond what they had imagined. BElevé won top honors and awards throughout the season and had an amazing time dancing and making memories. The Company was proud to compete at nationals this summer in Orlando, Florida, and it was a huge success.
BElevé won top scores at every event they participated in, most notably the ‘Impact Award’ at The Movement Dance Competition for earning the highest average dance score among all the participating studios.
The BElevé Elite Production Team, composed of 36 dancers from ages 10 to 18, showcased a ten-minute production of Hercules that won first overall at every regional competition attended. Angela talks about how Hercules was a celebration of top talent at BElevé. “Congratulations to the competition team on their wonderful year!”!
It is never too late to get started. BElevé can be your opportunity to learn something new and allow your talent to SHINE! BElevé wants to facilitate an environment where you feel welcomed and confident in your dance journey. Enroll in fall classes and learn more at belevedance.com or call (402) 673-2623.
Come visit our facility and meet the wonderful BElevé staff at our “Welcome and Registration” event on August 10 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. or August 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 1340 N. 66th Street in Lincoln.
This past year has been a whirlwind of success, and everyone at BElevé is excited to see where the next year will lead. -Angela Beery
From pediatrics and obstetrics to well-child checks and immunizations, we o er comprehensive healthcare to monitor growth and early-age development. We personalize your care, going above and beyond with extra support like chronic disease and care management services to educate you on healthy lifestyle choices and treatments.
StarTran | Nex t Stop Marketing Campaign
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Le Quar tier | Social Media Campaign
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Obstetrics
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Chocolate Lovers Fantasy | Vir tual Event
TMCO | Print Collateral
These spooky spiderwebs are easy, festive, and fun for the Halloween season. Use them as a decoration or just a fun activity to keep your little ghouls and boos busy!
Popsicle sticks
Glue or hot glue gun
Tempera paint Scissors Yarn in white, black, or orange Plastic spiders or stickers (optional)
Glue three popsicle sticks together at the center.
popsicle sticks and allow them to dry.
Tie your yarn to one end of the popsicle stick, and begin wrapping it around each stick.
When you have finished wrapping the yarn around the popsicle sticks, tie off the yarn. Make sure to leave a long tail of string, which will allow you to hang up your spider web.
Hang up your spooky creation!
Book review with Easton a 9-year-old Lincoln kid who loves dirt bike racing and playing outside in the neighborhood.
What is your favorite book?
Calendar Mysteries November Night.
Tell us about the book.
It’s kind of about fall, and they’re scared because there’s a big dog and a tree, and one guy left his money by it. There’s a spot he had his money in the backyard. The neighbor just moved in there, and they were making a spaceship. The kids didn’t know what they were making, so they wanted to get into the backyard to get the money, but they couldn’t because the dog was scaring them.
Is it a chapter book?
It’s kind of a chapter book, but it’s also a picture book because it has some pictures. It’s 67 pages.
Tell us about the characters in the book.
The main characters are Lucy, Nate, Bradley, and Brian. They’re trying to get their money back but they can’t because new neighbors moved in and they’re scared of the dog.
Do you have a favorite character?
Yes! I like Nate the best. He talks way more than the other three people.
Do you think everyone should read this book?
Sure. If they like it and it sounds good for them.
Book review with Vivienne, an 11-year-old Lincoln kid who loves drawing, swimming, dancing, and playing tennis.
What book are you reading?
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter by Aaron Reynolds.
What is the book about?
Rex and his best friend Darvish are solving a murder mystery about dead pets.
Who’s your favorite character?
The chicken, Drumstick, because he is a funny animal.
Is this book part of a series?
Yes, there are three books, and this is the first.
Who would you recommend this book to?
Kids from ages 8-11.
Where do you like to read?
On my trampoline outside.
You can find Calendar Mysteries November Night and The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter at local bookstores or you can check them out from the Lincoln City Library. Happy reading!
Do you have a book you’d love to talk about? Send us your review at hello@lnkkids.com!
WITH CHRISTINE WEEKS, PUBLISHER
It’s been six years since I became a bonus mom to Michael. He was only two-years-old when he and his dad moved into my home that was filled with tweens and teens. I knew this was a big adjustment for all of our kids but especially for Michael. His little world was changing with a new place to live and four added siblings.
My priority was that Michael knew he was loved, that my home was his home, that his mother, Kate, was always “Mom” and that I would never undermine their relationship.
Here are some things that helped foster a loving environment for Michael and our family over the years:
I eliminated the “step” word and replaced it with “bonus.”
Step mom and step kid has always felt off to me. Bonus feels positive and joyful. I definitely want Michael to have positive memories of me and not equate me to Cinderella’s wicked step mother. ;-)
I prioritize his relationship with his mom.
I FaceTime her, send her pictures, and talk about how much she loves him. I always tell him how lucky he is to have her as a mom.
We try to do holidays together as “families.”
I realize this doesn’t work for every blended family, but I never want to spend a holiday without my kids. I don’t want any of our kids to feel like they have to choose one parent over the other.
As a family, we avoid the “my kids - his kids” language.
I think this helps make everyone feel equally loved.
I try to do special things with just Michael.
We love to go to the movies, play card games, and read-read-read.
I feel lucky to get to love Michael and be a part of his world, and if you are a bonus parent, I hope you feel the same!
BY ANDREA ATKINSON, TEAMMATES MENTOR AND LINCOLN KIDS LAYOUT DESIGNER
In March of 2023, I had spent just over a year as a full-time graphic designer at Eleanor Creative. It had been exciting and fulfilling to focus on my career, but I felt it was time to dedicate myself to a cause outside of work. I began searching for volunteer opportunities, and I found just the place: TeamMates, a mentoring program founded in 1991 by Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. The TeamMates mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring.
When I inquired about signing up, TeamMates made it clear that this is no typical volunteer gig that you can drop anytime if you lose interest. I knew it would be a big commitment to mentor a student all the way through high school, but I was ready to make a difference. I got matched with my fourth grade mentee, took some training courses, and I was ready to begin our weekly meetings.
Our sessions began…quietly. It took time for my mentee to open up. I was patient because I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to meet someone new. I was a shy kid myself, so I knew that, like me, she would open up with time - and she did just that. After a month or so, she became much more chatty, and now we never run out of things to talk about! We meet during her lunch and recess hour and we do anything from making friendship bracelets, to doing fun crafts, to talking about what is going on in her life. Most of all, we play Connect 4 and UNO (LOTS of Connect 4 and UNO)! Not only has she opened up with me, but she has also blossomed as a student performer. This spring, I cheered her on from the audience at her school play.
I joke about our games and conversations, but I have seen just how meaningful these little things can be. One of the most rewarding things about being a mentor is being there for my mentee when she has had a rough day at school. Sometimes, she just needs her mentor to be there for her. And sometimes, she just needs an hour to be a kid and crush me at UNO!
Just as my mentee has shared her life with me, I have also shared my life with her. I got engaged this past year and when I told my mentee, she told me she could NOT wait to meet my “bi-ancee.” She also loved giving me input on which wedding dress I should get. It has been so fun sharing our life experiences with each other, and being years apart in age has made me reflect on my own 5th grade experience – oh, to be a kid again!
At the end of the school year, to celebrate all they have accomplished, TeamMates and the school district take us to the zoo. It’s my mentee’s most favorite day of the year. She loves to walk around, see all the animals, and most importantly, she likes to eat ice cream! Each year we take a break for the summer, and when the school year starts back up again she is already counting down the days until we get to return to the zoo. It’s special to see her light up when she is around her peers or sees some of her favorite animals.
Being a TeamMate isn’t just a weekly commitment – it is a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The kids connect and build relationships with you, and they expect you to be there every week as they grow up. My mentee always makes comments like “Will you always be my mentor?” and “I can’t believe you will be my mentor until I graduate!” with a big smile on her face. Her excitement and joy truly warms my heart and it reminds me why I am doing what I’m doing: to make kids’ lives better, by simply showing up for them.
If you are looking to make a lifelong difference, consider signing up for TeamMates – whether it’s being there when things get hard or just laughing when your mentee plays a “Draw Four” card, you can make a huge impact on students’ lives.
Complete the drawing and color the fox!
RED LEAF
SPIDER
PUMPKIN
FLAG
PINE TREE
YELLOW LEAF
TWIG
SUNFLOWER
PINECONE
SCARECROW
SPIDERWEB
SQUIRREL
ROLLIE POLLIE
FOOTBALL
RAKE
YARD SIGN
Find a friend, take a walk around your neighborhood, and check off all you find during this fall-themed scavenger hunt!
DOG
ACORN
CORN HUSK
BIRD
FEATHER
BERRY
BIRD’S NEST
LEAF PILE
ANIMAL TRACKS
CLOUD IN A FUN SHAPE
ANTS
TREE BARK
TREE WITH CHANGING LEAVES
PUDDLE
JACK-O-LANTERN
BUTTERFLY
Explore Lincoln’s amazing trails through the eyes of our adventure experts! Discover the best parts of each trail as they share their top picks and exciting experiences along the way.
Nathan’s Favorite:
Williamsburg Trail is full of winding paths and tree canopies. This quiet trail section directly connects you with two great playgrounds, Tierra Park and Williamsburg Village Park. These are perfect places to take a break for young riders. Much of the trail follows a watershed that has become the residence of ducks and geese. We always look forward to seeing how many ducks are near the trail.
Sheena’s Favorite: Jamaica North
This trail connects almost to my backyard and I can take it all the way down to the Haymarket to work or to the farmers’ market with my kids. The best part is that we only have to cross a couple intersections the whole way, and it is almost as fast as driving. An extra bonus is all the wildlife we see along the way, from deer and foxes to birds and bunnies. It is a trail that allows you to step out of the city and connect with nature.
Mackenzie’s Favorite: MoPac Trail
Our family’s favorite trail in Lincoln has to be the MoPac Trail. We love biking to Peter Pan Park. The kids have a blast riding their bikes at the skate park and swinging at the playground. Then we continue on to Hub Cafe for a delicious brunch!
Christine’s Favorite: Homestead
I love taking the Homestead trail to Cortland, Nebraska to get my favorite cinnamon rolls at Paper Moon Pastries! The Homestead Trail is connected to the Jamaica North Trail.
Sean’s Favorite: Rock Island
Rock Island Trail holds a special place in my heart because I live right on it. I spend a lot of time wandering through the wilderness, walking to Leon’s for groceries, and biking to work along this trail. I even get to hear the monkeys when I pass by the zoo!
Emma’s Favorite: Billy Wolff
Billy Wolff Trail is the perfect Trail for Krew and me! It’s near Holmes Lake so after paying the ducks a visit, we hop on for a jog and head over to Antelope Park. We love that there’s multiple parks along the way in case we need to stop to play!
Check out Lincoln’s trails and find new paths to explore with your family at the QR code below.
These Lincoln moms are making a real impact in the Lincoln community. Not only are they doing what they love, but they embrace their kids’ unique personalities and help them find their own path forward.
Diane was born and raised in Lincoln. She is the CEO of TMCO and recently launched a new tech start up. Her new recipe app, Anchovy, is now available in IOS and Android app stores. She loves dogs, history, music, and grill outs (preferably in combination).
Bonnie grew up in central Kansas and her first love was track and field with photography as a close second. She has lived in four states since graduating high school, and dreams about being back in the mountains someday. She and her family currently live on an acreage near Branched Oak with their dog and two cats.
Stacy is a Commercial Interior Designer at Clark & Enersen, and she played a crucial role in the passage of the Nebraska Interior Design Voluntary Registration Act this spring. A Lincoln native, she’s a wife and proud mother of two kids and two cats.
Tell us about your kiddos.
Archer is 3 and Savannah is 10.
What do you love about being a mom?
My favorite thing to do as a mom is to spy on my kids when they’re playing make-believe by themselves because their imaginations are so incredible.
What do you like about your career?
I’ve been in love with photography since I was 15-years-old, so I consider myself incredibly lucky that it’s my job. What I love most is taking an idea in my head and turning it into a tangible product. It’s the only form of art I’ve ever been good at.
What’s the most encouraging piece of advice someone has given you about motherhood?
None of us know what we’re doing. I think this is really helpful when you’re struggling as a parent at every stage of your child’s life. We never feel like we’ve done “enough” or “the right thing,” but the truth is that we’re all just winging it. Every child is so different that there’s never a one-size-fits-all approach.
What is something that you enjoy watching?
I spend most of my “consumption” time with podcasts, but my favorite TV show that’s still running is Shark Tank
What are cute things that your kids are saying or doing?
Our 3-year old son got a stuffed otter from the Lincoln Children’s Zoo a couple months ago that he’s completely attached to. He’s named the otter “Clink,” and he does everything with it, including eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom. Thankfully, we haven’t had to fish Clink out of the toilet yet!
Tell us about your kiddos. Naomi is 4 and Charlotte is 17 months.
What do you love about being a mom?
Things you say to your kids that in other contexts would be wildly inappropriate, i.e. “Why aren’t you wearing any pants?!”
What do you like about your career?
I hope I’m making a difference in people’s lives and creating opportunities. For me, it’s about positive change and using my platform to advocate for others.
What’s been the most encouraging piece of advice someone has given you about motherhood?
Little birds fly from the nest. Hold them close and give them a safe place to come back to.
What is something that you are reading or watching right now?
Da Vinci’s Demons. I’m a sucker for pseudo-historical period drama. After the kids fall asleep, I grab a cup of tea and watch my episode.
What are cute things that your kids are saying or doing?
Charlotte is starting a toddler program in the fall at the same school Naomi attends and Naomi said she can take her to her classroom. I asked her if she could also pick Charlotte up from school. Naomi looked thoughtful and said, “Yes I can… mom, can you show me how to use the car?”
Tell us about your kiddos.
Roslyn, age 8, is a theater kid and loves performing and singing. Carson, age 11, loves golf and karate. Both kids are on a swim team, and as a former swimmer, it’s extra special to watch their continual improvement.
What do you love about being a mom?
I love watching my kids find their own passions, and in turn, develop their unique personalities.
What do you like about your career?
As a commercial interior designer, I’m always excited about the chance to transform or create space responding to real human needs. Design is part art and part science; the decisions I make every day need to balance style and aesthetics with technical aspects such as safety, function, accessibility, and sustainability.
What’s the most encouraging piece of advice someone has given you about motherhood?
There’s not a perfect way to be a parent, but there are thousands of ways to be the parent your kid needs.
What are cute things that your kids are saying or doing?
Roslyn wrote her first piece of fan mail to Taylor Swift, and I love her perspective and memory of Volleyball Day at Memorial Stadium!
“Dear Taylor Swift, I am your biggest fan, Roslyn. I live in Lincoln and there is a big volleyball stadium and it is perfect for the Eras Tour. It can hold up to 92,003 people. Can you please, please, please, please, come play there?”
Book t he st udi o onl i ne by t he hour a nd bri ng your phot ogra pher or your own ca mera . We provi de t he el a bora t e Chri st ma s set s f or your perf ect hol i da y phot os. 2279 South Street
“The librarians at all the branches are there to help anyone that walks in or calls the library Their enthusiasm to help and give suggestions has been so helpful to not only me, but my children
We moved here when my oldest daughter was two, and one of the first things we did was sign up for library cards We are the typical family who visits the library weekly to get books for our family We all have our favorite sections and will not only use the hold system, but also travel to different branches to find different materials
A few years ago, I had to take a college class It has been about 20 years since I completed my graduate degree I was a little behind on all of the resources I could utilize for my research and how to easily attain them I called the Eiseley Library and was connected with Jill She was so helpful in guiding me to several resources and even gave me tricks on how to notate the sources in my bibliography This help was invaluable to me ”
Heather
What’s a parent to do when kiddos are hungry and dinner time is hours away? When it comes to hunger in our house, we don’t waste any time in finding solutions that satisfy. Here are some new ideas to help you chase away that “hangry” feeling in your household!
Lincoln Kids Designer and Mother of Three
Keep it balanced. You can offer the healthiest snacks possible but if your kid refuses to eat it, it’s not really doing anyone any good. Striking a balance between serving healthy options and serving foods your kids will actually eat is possible. Giving a range of options can help.
Aim for variety. Don’t serve the same snacks every day. If you can plan a balance of protein, healthy carbs and some fat or fiber, that will help keep them happy and satisfied until their next meal.
Make it easy. Keep snacks within reach in easy to open containers, especially if your kids are younger or shorter. Slice or cut veggies when possible and consider keeping them easily accessible such as in the refrigerator door.
Keep these easy-to-grab snacks handy for simple, healthy choices:
• Cheese sticks or cubes
• Nuts (packets are handy)
• Applesauce (cups or pouches)
• Toasted whole grain frozen waffles cut into strips and dipped in peanut butter
• Protein, nut, or granola bars
• Yogurt (greek or low-fat)
• Fresh or dried fruit
• Carrots with ranch
• Natural fruit strips
• Veggie chips or straws
• Chocolate or strawberry milk
Spice things up and try these quick and healthy recipes!
Cinnamon Banana Cereal
1 ) Slice one banana into a cereal bowl.
2) Pour milk over bananas.
3) Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
1 ) Roughly chop 1/2 cup dried strawberries.
2 ) Combine strawberries with 1/2 cup sunflower butter and 1 cu rice cereal in a medium size bowl.
3 ) Scoop 1 Tbsp of mixture, roll into a ball, chill truffles in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Place in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Add 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 sliced banana, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1 cup milk to your blender.
Blend until smooth. If your blender struggles to process the mixture, add more liquid! Keep in mind, adding liquid will dilute the flavor slightly, so use as little as possible.
Serve right away and enjoy!
your child's love of reading with Dolly Pa rton's Imagination Library
If you have a child from 0-5 years old, register them today for free monthly books.
It Works:
Enroll your child online at linked2literacy.org
In 6-8 weeks, your child will receive their first book in the mail, 'The Little Engine That Could'. Books arrive in the mail monthly until your child's 5th birthday.
Scan this code to enroll your child in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. It's easy!
www.Linked2Literacy.org
Let Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra take you on a journey with music evoking time, place, heritage, and seasons. Music Director Edward Polochick will lead the orchestra and internationally renowned soloists through several LSO premieres, timeless classics, and music that explores a wide range of emotions from love and loss to elation and celebration.
For a complete season program, visit lincolnsymphony.com.
TUESDAY: 1 PM - 7 PM
WEDNESDAY: 11 AM - 7 PM
THURSDAY: 11 AM - 7 PM
FRIDAY: 11 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAY: 10 AM - 6 PM
The kids from Spark Summer Learning ventured to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, sparking their imaginations and inspiring these fantastic animal artworks. Based on their research through videos and photos, these masterpieces showcase the kids’ unique perspectives and creativity. Have an amazing drawing you’d love to share? Snap a picture and send it to hello@lnkkids.com! We can’t wait to see your wild creations!
ARTICLE BY SHAY K. FLOWERDAY
Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling once you drop it in the bin? Whether you have curbside recycling at home or take your recyclables to a community collection site, these resources go through a fascinating journey to be recovered and made into something new!
All recyclables are taken to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Once unloaded from the truck, they are laid on the floor of the MRF. A front-end loader then scoops and loads them onto a conveyor belt.
The first step along the conveyor is presorting. Here, employees remove items that cannot be recycled.
Remember, these items do not belong in the curbside recycling bin: plastic films/bags, holiday lights, electronics, and anything with batteries!
Next, machines help sort two-dimensional items such as cardboard, newspaper, paperboard, and paper using an optical screen. Flat cardboard boxes are considered two-dimensional, while unflattened boxes are three-dimensional and won’t be sorted correctly.
Three-dimensional items continue down the conveyor belt. This includes plastic and cans. Plastics are sorted by type using computer and robotic technology, while aluminum is separated from tin cans using a large magnet.
Once the recyclables have been sorted, they are baled and sold to end markets, which will reprocess the materials.
Are you a proud recycler? Let’s take the next step to support recovered resources by purchasing products made from recycled materials! Items with recycled content will indicate how much recycled content they contain (e.g., 100% post-consumer paper, made with recycled plastic).
Want to see what we’re talking about? Visit this QR code for a video on where your local recycling goes.
Can you find the 10 differences between the two pictures?
Search for these fun spots in Lincoln! The words can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or backwards.
Haymarket
Lied Center
Pioneers Park
The Mill
Holmes Lake
Memorial Stadium
Sunken Gardens
Ivanna Cone
Morrill Hall
The Hub Cafe
Help take the household hazardous waste to HazToGo, Lincoln’s Hazardous Waste Center
ACROSS:
3. Small, nut-like seed from oak trees, often eaten by squirrels.
4. A tall yellow plant with kernels on a cob, often found in a maze.
6. Describing a place believed to be visited by ghosts.
8. The season associated with harvest time and cooler weather.
9. Carved pumpkin with a spooky face, lit from within.
10. A figure set up to scare birds away from crops.
14. A large, round orange fruit often carved for Halloween.
15. Dried grass used for animal feed or bedding.
16. A beverage made from pressed apples, popular in fall.
17. Attached to trees and changes color in the fall.
DOWN:
1. A large, controlled outdoor fire often used for celebrations.
2. A tall yellow flower.
5. The color of pumpkins and autumn leaves.
7. The first month of fall!
11. A round fruit often picked in fall, can be red or green.
12. Sticky, sweet substance made from heated sugar; traditionally dipped with apples.
13. A baked dish often made with pumpkin or apples.
Brought to you by Lincoln Electric System & the LES ENERGIZERS
Did you know you can save energy in your home every day? Turning off or unplugging appliances and electronics that are not in use gives you the power to save energy! For example, while the sun is shining, windows can allow sunlight into your house without having to turn on a lamp or a light switch.
Unscramble the letters to reveal the names of common appliances and electronics that you should turn off or unplug when not in use. Use the pictures below for clues.
Make Goodwill your Halloween headquarters. Find everything you need for a unique and fun costume right here!
N. 27th Street Store
3910 N. 27th St Lincoln, NE 68521
402-465-4663
Sumner Store
1700 S. 17th St Lincoln, NE 68502
402-438-1109
Apples Way Store
6300 Apples Way Lincoln, NE 68516
402-421-2669
Vine Street Store
4555 Vine Street Lincoln, NE 68503
402-466-3223
York Store
512 Grant Ave York, NE 68467
402-362-6206
FREE high-quality early childhood education services for families from pregnancy to age 5. Home-based and center-based program options are available. Head Start and Early Head Start are year-round, full-day programs. Families with low income or receiving SNAP, SSI, or ADC are eligible.
1843 K St. / 2301 O St. / 2615 O St., Suite 4 (402) 875-9328 communityactionatwork.org
Providing an enriching environment for children to learn and grow in north east Lincoln. Open until 6 p.m. and accepts private pay, Title XX, and Lincoln Littles Scholarships available for those that qualify.
4005 N. 70th St. (402) 436-4005 kellyskidsldc.com
KidsPark
(1 1/2 - 11y) Trusted hourly childcare on days, evenings and weekends! No reservations required. Drop-in Mon. - Thu. 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., and Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.!
5633 S. 16th St. Ste. 100 (402) 413-8849 KidsPark.com/Lincoln
(6w - 12y) Brand new state-of-the-art learning academy with exclusive curriculum developed for each classroom, guardian-accessible cameras, ageappropriate playgrounds, an onsite chef, and more! With our “Hug First, Then Teach” principle we take a whole-child approach, strengthening each child’s emotional, intellectual, social, and physical well-being. Currently enrolling all ages – including Summer Camp!
5588 Canterbury Ln. (402) 817-4245 kidsrkids.com/southern-hills
Lincoln Parks and Recreation Preschool Programs
Little Sprouts Preschool at Calvert Recreation Center and Nature Preschool at Pioneers Park Nature Center are open to children 3 to 5 years of age. Programs are nature based, with teachers planning curriculum around children’s curiosity and wonder of the world around them.
(402) 441-8669 | lincoln.ne.gov (search: Preschool)
Prairie Hill Learning Center
(18m - 14y) Prairie Hill is a Montessori school that serves children ages 18 months through 8th grade. We are a nature-based school immersed in Montessori philosophy of education.
17705 S. 12th St., Roca, NE 68430 (402) 436-6668 admin@prairiehill.com | prairiehill.com
(All ages) Experienced, award-winning face painter. Creating smiles at all kinds of events! (402) 730-7197 | butterflykissesfacepainting.com
Your outdoor playland... indoors! Fun for all ages! Private party rooms, playsets, foam pit, inflatable jumpers, fun maze, laser maze, video games, jumping pillow, Ballocity, and snack area with yummy food and drinks! We do company parties, too! Book your next Fun-tastic party online at lostinfun.com!
8431 Cody Dr. (15th & Yankee Hill) (402) 466-8692 | LostInFun.com
Add nature to your child’s birthday! Parties include a guided hike or themed activity, special gift for birthday child, party bags for each child, and time for your own activity and refreshments. Recommended for ages 5-12.
3201 S. Coddington Ave. | (402) 441-7895 lincoln.ne.gov (search: Pioneers Park Nature Center)
Offering 5 weeks of fun, hands-on, STEAM-infused summer learning camps for K-8th grade students. Half-day and full-day camps available on a wide variety of topics from arts and literature to robotics and cooking. More information on our camp schedule, camp locations and our Camp Assistant program is available at BrightLights.org. Registration for our Summer 2025 camps will open in early spring– please watch our social media for announcements!
5561 S. 48th St., Suite 220 (402) 420-1115 | brightlights.org
Selling new books of all kinds and original, local art. Hosting author events and book signings. #youmeetthecoolestpeopleinbookstores
130 S. 13th St, in the Old Telephone Building francieandfinch.com | (402) 781-0459
LMTA welcomes all music teachers to meet for workshops and camaraderie, to plan activities for our students, and to serve the community.
Our LMTA Music Outreach Program offers low-cost lessons, instruments and repairs, music scores and performance opportunities to children in need.
For more information or a Teacher Directory, visit www.LMTA.info. | Contact us at MOP@LMTA.info
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra presents inspiring experiences that welcome all members of our community to discover and cultivate a profound, personal connection with live orchestral music. The orchestra comprises 70 professional musicians under the baton of Maestro Edward Polochick, and the season includes many concerts and community engagement activities
233 South 13th Street, Suite 1702, Lincoln NE 68508 (402) 476-2211 | lincolnsymphony.com
Discover the music in you with private music lessons at Marble Music Studios. Music lessons don’t have to be dull to achieve great results. At Marble Music Studios, our team of teachers bring fun to every lesson with engaging, age-appropriate curriculum and repertoire. We specialize in strings, piano, guitar, ukulele and voice lessons. Now offering toddler music classes!
6201 S. 58th St. (402) 413-6355 | marblemusicne.com
(18m - 18y) Pioneer Gymnastics Academy offers gymnastics instruction, competition teams, birthday parties and special events.
3800 Old Cheney Rd. Suite A1 (402) 483-1304 info@pioneergym.com | pioneergym.com
We have two weeks of Summer Camp available. June 17 through June 21 and July 29 through August 2.
SMA Summer Camp includes martial arts training every day. Each week campers will also have a pool day, a library day, plenty of time at the park and a cool field trip on Friday. Available for rising 1st graders through rising 6th graders.
4747 Old Cheney Rd, Suite B Lincoln, NE 68516 swansonsmartialarts.com/program/ summer-camp/
Music Works Academy
We offer private music lessons and group classes in music, art, yoga, preschool, special needs, reading tutoring and classes for scout badges. All of our classes and lessons qualify for Our Military Kids! grants. Ages 7 - 12
2920 E Court Street, Beatrice, NE 402-806-4138 musicworksne.com
Dr. Emily Willett and the team at Lincoln Orthodontics can’t wait to give you a beautiful, new smile! With flexible scheduling and affordable treatment plans, achieving a smile you’re proud of has never been easier!
6825 S 27th Street, Ste 202, Lincoln, NE (402) 489-8841 lincoln-orthodontics.com
(All ages) Pediatric Dentistry, P.C. provides oral health services for toddlers, children, adolescents, and persons with special healthcare needs in a fun, comfortable, and age-appropriate setting.
3901 Pine Lake Rd,, Suite 250 (402) 423-3322 pediatricdentistrypc.net
Let’s take this party up. All the way up.
Celebrate your child’s big day inside Tree Adventure, where outdoor explorers can soar among the trees, meander through a maze of bridges, and follow the birds without ever touching the ground. Our party packages are designed to delight all guests while supporting important tree-planting projects that protect the planet.
Plan something special at arbordayfarm.org/birthday
Say your first hello at our uniquely nurturing Maternity Center.
Moms-to-be appreciate the specialized care and extra amenities offered at our full-service Maternity Center.
We know that delivering a baby is your moment. Make it uniquely yours with our team of Ob-Gyn and Midwife providers.
Three convenient locations.
CHI Health St. Elizabeth 555 S 70th Street 402-219-7070
Women’s Health
7001 A Street, Ste 200 402-484-4081
Women’s Health Midwifery
8020 O Street
4055 Yankee Hill Road 402-488-6370
Our Childbirth Classes & Tours will give you the skills and information you need to create a happy, healthy future for baby and yourself. Visit CHIhealthEvents.com to learn more. Look for “St. Elizabeth” when registering.