March 18, 2020
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Celebrate
Sarpy County 2020
EntErtainmEnt • Growth • history • rEcrEation March 18, 2020 | Suburban newSpaperS
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SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS INC.
March 18, 2020
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More than 30,000 people make Bellevue’s riverfront their destination for the annual two-day RiverFest celebration that combines music, food and plenty of fun. This year’s RiverFest will be June 26 and 27.
Let’s Celebrate!
Parades, carnivals, music and food set the tone for many area celebrations across Sarpy County each year. Thousands of people gather each year to celebrate their hometown. Whether it’s the duck races at Springfield Days or the live music at RiverFest in Bellevue, there’s something for everybody.
Sarpy County Fair
One of the crown jewels of Sarpy County, the fair draws thousands of people each year to the fairgrounds, and this year’s celebration is July 29 to Aug. 2. Animals are also a part of the showcase as the 4-H competition brings in dozens of horses, cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits and chickens that are on display. Those who enjoy motorized entertainment won’t be disappointed as truck and tractor pulls as well as a demolition derby attract large crowds. The two-day rodeo event has become a highlight for the Sarpy County Fair and the carnival helps provide fun for young and old. There’s also live music along with dozens of food options and many other forms of free entertainment.
Salute to Summer Festival
La Vista is mixing up its Memorial Day weekend celebration this year and including activities to celebrate the city’s 60th birthday. The city will host the event May 22 and 23 on the City Hall campus instead of at Central Park, and the first day features a car show, a community cookout, live music and fireworks. Day two will begin with a parade and will be followed by yard games, a food truck rally, live music, including performances from U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band, and a cake war featuring local bakeries. That will be followed by a birthday party celebrating the city. The second day will also include a service project for the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home. Community members can assemble hygiene kits that will be donated to the veterans home.
More Celebrations on Page 7
March 18, 2020
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March 18, 2020
SumTur happening here Three Dog Night was one of several national acts to perform in 2019 at SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion. SumTur Amphitheater, located south of Highway 370 on 108th Street, is home to numerous national and local events throughout the summer. File photo
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March 18, 2020
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It’s Business is Usual
Existing businesses and businesses looking to locate in Sarpy County have allies to reach their goals - including a handful of chamber of commerce. Contact these business resources for more information
Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce gretnachamber.com 789 Village Square, Gretna 402-332-3535
Greater Omaha Chamber omahachamber.org 808 Conagra Drive Suite 400, Omaha 402-346-5000
Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce sarpychamber.org 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion 402-339-3050
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Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation omahachamber.org/economic-development/ sarpy-county-economic-development-corporation 808 Conagra Drive Suite 400, Omaha 402-346-5000
Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce bellevuenebraska.com 1036 Bruin Blvd., Bellevue 420-898-3000
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March 18, 2020
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Let’s Celebrate! Springfield Days
Springfield may consider itself a small town, but it knows how to throw a big party. On June 12 and 13, the community will show off everything it has to offer during its annual two-day celebration. Live music and a movie kick off the celebration, which leads to a jam-packed Saturday. There’s both a kiddie parade and the grand parade while attendees can test their skills during the ice cream and Runza-eating competitions or the bubble gum-blowing contest. But nothing tops the annual duck races as Main
Street is flooded to make way for hundreds of rubber ducks to float down the road with prizes awaiting the winners. Live music, a beer garden and fireworks conclude the celebration.
Papillion Days
For more than 70 years, Papillion has been celebrating in style with its annual Papillion Days celebration in mid-June. Papillion Days runs June 17-21 and kicks off with a free concert at SumTur Amphitheater and ends five
days later with another free concert at SumTur. In between, there’s no shortage of things to do. Youths can test their singing skills at the annual Papillion Idol contest, and people of all ages can enjoy someone else singing at one of the many live music performances throughout the weekend. You won’t go hungry. There are food vendors in City Park for whatever your appetite seeks. The Breath of Life Car Show brings classic cars from near and far while the free ice cream social is pleasing to all. The Papillion Days parade is one of the largest in the area, and the three-day Beer Fest features suds and sounds.
RiverFest
Bellevue is the place to be in the summer as the annual RiverFest celebration takes over American Heroes Park June 26 and 27. More than 30,000 people will visit Bellevue for the two-day event, which is a combination of music, food and plenty of fun. Numerous live music performances will hit the stage while the two-day carnival provides plenty of entertainment for young and old. A classic car and truck show provides another highlight to the festival while a beer garden and fireworks show is more reason to celebrate.
Gretna Days
For four days in July, Gretna is the celebration capital of Nebraska. Gretna Days (July 23-26) is event-packed and allows visitors to get active or let others entertain them. For those wanting to be active, there is golf, softball, dodgeball, innertube races and the Resurrection Run. For those wanting to be a little more laid-back, a cornhole tournament and beer garden may be more your speed. It wouldn’t be Gretna Days without the annual Kiddie Parade and Gretna Days Parade while a community picnic is one of the highlights of the final day. Of course, there’s plenty of food, refreshments and music that will keep everyone entertained for four days.
Arrows to Aerospace
Residents from Bellevue to Gretna celebrate annually each summer at the Sarpy County Fair in Springfield with 4-H competitions, tractor pulls, live music and, of course, a rodeo.
For nearly 30 years, the Bellevue-Offutt Kiwanis Club has been providing a premier celebration to the community. There are dozens of free activities during the celebration, which is Aug. 14 and 15 and is highlighted by the annual Arrows to Aerospace parade. Washington Park is the home for games, food and other activities.
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March 18, 2020
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March 18, 2020
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Splishin’ and a splashin’
Looking for a place to cool down this summer? There are plenty of options throughout Sarpy County. Whether it’s an aquatic center, a swimming pool or a splash pad, Sarpy County has your answer to beat the heat. BELLEVUE Cascio Pool, 1500 Lawrence Lane Dowding Pool, 1500 Washington St. Gilbert Pool, 498, 414 W. 30th Ave. Sun Valley Pool, 52nd and Aspen Drive Hastings Banner Park splash pad 50th and Virginia streets Everett Park splash pad Betz Road and Greensboro Avenue GRETNA Gretna City Pool Highway 6/31 and W. Angus Road
LA VISTA La Vista Municipal Swimming Pool 7529 S. 85th St. SPRINGFIELD Buffalo Park splash pad, Sixth and Vine streets PAPILLION Papio Bay Aquatic Center 815 E. Halleck St. Eagle Ridge Splash Pad, 66th Street and Ashwood Avenue Schwer Park Splash Pad, 800 W. Centennial Road First Street Plaza Splash Pad, First and Washington streets
Administrative Office Platteview High School Platteview Central Jr High Springfield Elementary Westmont Elementary File photo
The splash pad at Buffalo Park in Springfield is one of many places to cool off in the summer.
Gretna Gret a Public P b c ing Tomor row ’s Sc oo s “Educat Schools Le aders Today” Gretna Elementary ..............402-332-3341 Palisades Elementary...........402-895-2194 Thomas Elementary .............402-332-5578 Whitetail Creek Elementary ..402-895-3388 Aspen Creek Elementary.......402-332-5617
Aspen Creek Middle School ...402-332-3866 Middle School .....................402-332-3048 High School ........................402-332-3936 Administration Office ...........402-332-3265
11717 S 216th ST. GRETNA, NE 68028
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March 18, 2020
Werner Park Baseball . . . and so much more By Brody Hilgenkamp Staff Writer
A decade ago, Werner Park celebrated its opening in Sarpy County in what can be described as a magical year. Rosenblatt Stadium, the longtime home of the College World Series, was shuttered after the 2010 series and the Greatest Show on Dirt moved to a new stadium north of downtown Omaha. Rosenblatt’s other tenant, the Omaha Royals, also found a new home just west of Papillion. The Royals, in 2011, became the Omaha Storm Chasers, and Martie Cordaro, the team’s president, knew the Storm Chasers would be be a hit because the Triple A franchise of the Kansas City Royals was stocked with big league talent. “There was so much talent on that team, winning our first league title since 1990, it was great, satisfying,” he said. “It was the perfect storm — pun intended.” It wasn’t the only highlight as Selena Gomez held a concert at Werner Park that August. At times, things were hectic, but it was a banner first year for what has become a thriving entertainment venue in the county. Around 4 million people have attended events at Werner Park since it opened, ranging from Storm Chasers, high school and collegiate baseball games to concerts, fundraisers and 5K runs. Baseball, of course, is the reason the stadium exists, and the trophy case is quite full as the Storm Chasers head into their 10th season at the ballpark. The team won four straight division titles from 2011 to 2014, won the Pacific Coast League championship three of those years and the Triple-A national titles in 2013 and 2014. Several of the players from that 2011 team — Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer — went on to win the World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015, which exemplifies the allure minor league baseball brings to communities around the country: the chance to see baseball’s future stars. “We had and fans had a chance to come watch those players and they have gone on to have major success in the big leagues,” Cordaro said. Werner Park also got to host two games of a Cuba-Team USA series in 2013 and the Triple-A All-Star game in 2015, but the venue is not solely for baseball. In fact, more non-baseball events are held each year than baseball games, and that was the intention all along, Cordaro said. “We wanted, No. 1, to have a home for Triple-A baseball, and No. 2, we wanted to have a venue that we controlled and that we used,” he said. “And that was why it was important to be at a size-right, amenity-right facility that we could manage and operate on a day-by-day basis.” Hops for Harmony, a fundraiser to provide support for abused and neglected children, is Cordaro’s favorite event and one he makes sure to attend each year. The stadium hosts a movie night every September. The area’s ALS Association chapter holds its annual walk at Werner Park. There are roughly 180 scheduled events planned for 2020, Cordaro said. Seventy of those are Storm Chasers games and more than 90 are for special events. The other 16 are home games for Werner Park’s newest tenant, Union Omaha, a professional soccer team that will play in League One of the United Soccer League. “The time is right for professional soccer to come to the metro area and we’re eager to kick things off and we’re humbled that we’re the organization that can usher a new era of professional sports here to the metro area and Sarpy County,” Codaro said. The Storm Chasers’ home opener is April 14 and Union Omaha will have its opener April 25. For more information — including schedule, ticket prices and promotions — about the Omaha Storm Chasers, visit milb.com/omaha. For information about Union Omaha home contests, visit unionomaha.com.
BH Media file photo
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, in which firefighters honor their fellow first responders who died during 9/11, climb the equivalent of 110 stories on the stairs at Werner Park. The event was first held at Werner Park in 2017.
BH Media file photo
The Omaha Storm Chasers’ have had great success since moving to Sarpy County in 2011, including national Triple A championships in 2013 and 2014.
March 18, 2020
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Education front and center By Cheyenne Alexis Staff Writer Sarpy County’s school districts are preparing for their growth with new schools across the county. Springfield Platteview Community Schools, Papillion-La Vista Community Schools, Gretna Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools will have new additions to their districts to ease population at different elementary schools.
Papillion La Vista Community Schools Papillion La Vista Community Schools is about to finish construction its newest elementary school, Ashbury Elementary.. Located west of 120th and north of Schram Road, Ashbury Elementary will relieve overcrowding at Prairie Queen Elementary near 126th Street and Lin-
coln Road, Ashbury will be the district’s 16th elementary schools. PLCS’ 2018 bond issue of $109.9 million was also approved to purchase land for a potential third high school. “We went through a whole high school visioning process that we were going to grow our two high schools first before we added a third,” said Annette Eyman, PLCS spokesperson. “We know in Sarpy County that if you need 70 or 80 acres of land, you need to buy it now while it’s still available. That’s why that land was purchased.” Along with a new school, the district also had construction projects at Anderson Grove Elementary, Papillion La Vista South High School, G. Stanley Hall Elementary, Papillion La Vista High School and Carriage Hill Elementary. Eyman said the district will prepare for any upcoming growth in Papillion and La Vista. “Down the road, there will be additional elementary schools, there potentially could be a fourth middle school that we need,” she said. “There’s lots of new buildings that are still on the horizon before our district is grown completely out.”
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Springfield Platteview Community Schools With two elementary and one middle school and high school, Springfield Platteview Community Schools is preparing for an upcoming bond issue election to build a new Springfield Elementary building and complete improvements at Westmont Elementary. Brett Richards, superintendent for Springfield Platteview Community Schools, said the district has around 1,160 students. Based on the inevitable growth of the community that includes the Springfield Pines development, which the district projects will give them 86 additional children in the district. The district owns 10 acres of the subdivision’s land. The current Springfield Elementary building has two sections per grade level, plus four portable class-
rooms. “Our current Springfield building was built in 1964,” Richards said. “Back then, they didn’t make a lot of room in our schools for art, special education classes, those types of things. It’s pretty cramped in there right now.” If the bond is passed May 12, the school will begin construction this fall, with an expected building completion of August 2022. The building will be north of Main Street, near the Springfield Pines subdivision. The old elementary building will be used for the district’s central administration offices, the City of Springfield administration offices and other community programming. The new school will include three sections per grade level, and new educational programs such as art, special education and reading and math interventions. “We’re looking forward to additional space for kids’ learning,” Richards said.
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March 18, 2020
Education front and center
Omaha Public Schools Omaha Public Schools will add another school in Bellevue to ease population at one of its three elementary schools in Bellevue city limits. Located at Fort Crook and Childs roads, the unnamed elementary school will be completed for the 2022-23 school year. The school will ease some population at Chandler View Elementary, located just south of Chandler Road on 25th Street. The new school was part of a voter-approved bond issue. Also being completed are a new middle school at 42nd and Y streets in 2023, and a new high school at 60th and L streets in 2022. While the schools aren’t being built in Bellevue, they will help ease population growth at Bryan Middle School and Bryan High School. Casey Hughes, research staff assistant for the district, said the district needed to build schools to focus on population growth in the southeast part of the city. “For a number of years, we’ve had capacity issues in South Omaha — the population has grown for a number of years, and at this point, we’re catching up on a lot of that growth,” he said. “Building a high school, middle school and elementary schools will catch us up to all of that growth we’ve had in the past.” Hughes said he’s looking forward to the schools’ completion and easing the southeast part of the district’s overpopulation.
“I’m looking forward to making sure we have a smooth transition,” he said. “It’ll be really great to have these new schools in the community and be able to have families start new traditions at these new locations.” Jeremy Maskel, OPS’ district communications director, said the bond issue in 2014 and 2018 has helped the district reach a needed portion of the city. “The board and voter support is what allows us to do these for our students and families, so we’re thankful for that every day,” he said.
Gretna Public Schools Gretna Public Schools will prepare for two new elementary schools in fall 2020 and fall 2021. Voters approved a bond issue in 2018 for $85 million to build the new schools, as well as renovate Gretna Elementary and add onto the high school. The district currently has five elementary schools. Gretna Public Schoools has more than 5,600 students, and with the high population growth, GPS Superintendent Rich Beran said the new schools are needed. “Student enrollment has increased and our buildings are over capacity,” he said. One school will be located near the Arbor Gate/Fallen Waters housing developments near 196th Street and Cleveland Boulevard, and the other at 192nd Street and Schram Road. Beran said the schools showcase the growth of Sarpy
Photo submitted by DLR Group
An artist rendition of the new Gretna elementary school, slated to be completed by 2020. A seventh elementary will be completed in 2021. County and Gretna as a whole. “It’s a sign that people want to come to our school district,” he said. “The community’s growing and people have been very supportive of the schools.” Beran said he’s looking forward to having more space for the students. “We’re going to be able to get students back in the school — right now we have students in portables, so that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “We’re continuing to hire the best staff possible and give quality education to all students throughout the district.”
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March 18, 2020
Seeing the forest through the trees By Ashley Quintela Staff Writer
Photo by Ashley Quintela
Sally Otis, director of education at Fontenelle Forest, zip lines at the forest on Thursday. Forest staff got a chance to experience the new TreeRush Adventures addition before opening day.
Sarpy County residents got a real taste of adventure last year when TreeRush Adventures introduced a new way to experience nature. TreeRush Adventures is heading into its second season at Fontenelle Forest. The adventure park is a family-focused outdoor attraction for ages 4 through adults that allows guests to test their limits with balance, agility and height all while moving at their own pace. The courses are equipped with tightropes, bridges and zip lines that suspend over 6 acres north of the Nature Center. Kema Geroux, director of community relations at TreeRush Adventures Fontenelle Forest, said she enjoyed opening the park and appreciated the support from the community. “It was exciting being able to open it and seeing how warmly welcomed we were by the county residents. It was really a lot of fun,” Geroux said. “It’s an incredible opportunity and an incredible addition to what Fontenelle Forest has offered for so many years.” TreeRush Adventures, which opened in late June, saw a large number of eager participants despite being open for only a partial season, Geroux said. Most Saturdays and Sundays during the season were often booked to capacity. Geroux said she is expecting even more people this year as it will be the park’s first full season. TreeRush Adventures will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday for the spring season March 13 to May 17. Starting May 22, the park will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. until some time in November or whenever the weather be-
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comes too cold. “We’re going to have a very busy, happy staff this summer helping people discover and climb in the outdoors,” she said. “We’re really excited to be opening up for our first full season.” The park offers different level courses to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, can join in on the fun. There is a yellow course for beginners with platforms 10-12 feet high, a green course for intermediate participants with platforms 20 feet off the ground, a blue course for the more advanced that has platforms 35 feet high and finally a black course for those looking for a challenge with platforms 55 feet high. “You’re not just connecting with nature, you’re experiencing a sense of empowerment and you’re really creating memories with the people you love most and care about while exploring your limits,” Geroux said. Kevin Hendrix, director of development and marketing at Fontenelle Forest, said TreeRush Adventures has enhanced the forest and has provided more opportunities for its guests. “It has the potential to bring a really different audience to the forest,” Hendrix said. “When we go out to places to promote or even talk to the public, we mention TreeRush. We don’t draw a line between what we do and what they’re doing. We try to build audiences for everything.” With beautiful views and picturesque woods, Fontenelle Forest is the perfect fit for TreeRush, Geroux said. “It’s so inviting for people who want to explore the woods and just find a whole lot of nature in their backyard,” she said. “We are happy to be a new citizen of Bellevue and to provide something new to people in that area.” For more information, visit treerush.com.
March 18, 2020
SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS INC.
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Sarpy County influenced by a woman’s touch
In June 1913, a $50 prize was offered by Caroline Sanborn of Springfield to the winner of a debate held at Bellevue College. The topic, “Resolved that women should be allowed the right of suffrage in the United States.” Arguing in favor, Hermie Knapp and Marie Phelps were the winners. Mildred Hanna and Marguerite Nesbit lost the contest. Both winners and losers would have to wait another seven years before the debate would Ben become a practical Justman reality. Suffrage had been on the ballot in Nebraska as early as 1882 when it was crushed statewide by a margin of 66% to 33% against suffrage. It again failed in 1914 but this time by a closer margin, only roughly a 5% difference. By the time of the 1920 vote for Nebraska to decide on the 18th Amendment, the persistence of the suffrage movement further supported by national efforts of women during World War I generated enough momentum for the election to strongly swing in their favor. This time the pro suffrage movement received 80% of the vote. Before women were able to step into the voting booth, 18-year-old Cordelia Gramlich graduated from Papillion High School in 1909. Like many women of the day, she had an abundance of opportunity, so long as that opportunity existed within the confines of a teacher, housekeeper, secretary or perhaps clerk. Cordelia, as did her eight sisters, chose teaching and she soon began teaching at Frazier Rural School District
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18, only a few years older than the eldest of her students. Requirements to teach were a little different at the time. There was less concern about essential objectives and pedagogical methods and more regarding fuel sources for the schoolhouse stove and concern that a teacher remain unmarried and most certainly not with child during her term of employment. It was during her time teaching at the Frazier School that Gramlich used the income to finance her way through Nebraska State Normal School, today known as Peru State College, and in 1912 gained her Life Teaching Certificate. With teaching certificate in hand, Gramlich continued to teach and also served with Bell District 18 and Papillion District 27. We do not know what motivated her. Perhaps the women’s suffrage movement of the Progressive era which had steadily become more vocal across the country and had been heavily debated in Nebraska, but in 1916, Cordelia Gramlich entered the world of politics. It was a major feat to take that step and in doing so, she was the first woman in Sarpy County to hold public office when she was elected on the Democratic ticket as Sarpy County Superintendent of Schools. This accomplishment meant she could not even cast a vote for herself and was solely dependent upon the male vote to defeat her opponent, prominent Sarpy County businessman W.G. Kieck. Her term of office was brief but she had succeeded whereas two women who had previously tried to run for public office in Sarpy County had lost their races. Coincidently, in 1919, the same year Gramlich married, was also her last year as county school superintendent. Her successor, Bertha Bishop, held the reins
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of the position until 1930. Taking the next step from county politics to the statehouse, Mabel Gillespie further made strides by being one of the first women in Nebraska to serve in the state legislature. Gillespie taught school in Gretna before being one of three Nebraska women to be elected to the House of Representatives in 1924, prior to the Nebraska consolidating to its unicameral structure. Gillespie hoped to continue her political successes in the U.S. House of Representatives but was defeated in 1942 by incumbent Howard Buffett, father of Warren Buffett. That same year Gillespie was defeated, the production of aircraft was in full swing at the recently opened Martin Bomber Plant, located at present day Offutt Air Force Base. Forty percent of the workforce at the facility consisted of women. This would have included the more traditional roles, secretaries, clerical support and, of course, the canteen staff that provided the necessary infrastructure for the facility to keep operations running but there were also new and bold opportunities for women. These would have included crane
operator as well as drill press, lathe and other heavy equipment machinists. Naturally, there were women who served as riveters for the over 2,000 B-26 and B-29 Bombers that were constructed at Offutt between 1942 and 1945. Stories of women in local history are not exclusively political or wartime related. Nellie Tower lived to be over 100 years old and was a professional working woman for roughly 63 years of that as a title and abstract writer. She would have chronicled much of the legal sales related to the purchase of land in Papillion until her retirement in 1965. The narrative is widespread and woven into the story of schools, hospitals, women’s clubs, libraries, businesses, churches, farms and nearly every facet of society within Sarpy County. Throughout 2020, the Sarpy County Museum will highligh the history and contributions of women in our community. The efforts will culminate in an original researched exhibit in September. If you have a story to include, please contact the museum to share your tale. — Ben Justman is the executive director of the Sarpy County Museum 0000121588-01
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