October 2022 Momaha

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2022

editor in chief

KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

consulting editor

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK cbclark@owh.com 402-444-3118

assistant editor

MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

contributors RACHEL GEORGE KORI RADLOFF BOYS TOWN PEDIATRICS THE BOOKWORM designer EMILY SHULLAW

cover photo

ADOBE STOCK custom publishing sales coordinator

NICK CAVALLARO nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2022 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

KILEY CRUSE

“I SPY LITTLE LETTERS” by Jean Marzollo

Simple picture clues and rhyming riddles guide the youngest readers through 14 interactive, fun- lled spreads. For children already familiar with the alphabet, this book is a great way to reinforce letter recognition while also supporting the development of visual discrimination skills.

“SHIVER ME LETTERS: A PIRATE ABC”

by June Sobel

The captain of this brave and bumbling pirate crew has ordered them to capture the entire alphabet — and they’ll walk the plank if they’re missing a single letter. Now these swashbuckling mateys are embarking on an alphabet adventure unlike any other, and they won’t rest until they’ve found an A, a Z, and everything in between.

“LMNO PEAS” by Keith Baker

bright, colorful illustrations, cute plot line, a fun rhyme. Check! A bonus is that it also focuses on lowercase letters, which kids will see much more than capitals when they start reading independently.

“B IS FOR BABY”

by Atinuke, illustrated by Anglea Brooksbank

An alliterative adventure, “LMNO Peas” uses tiny peas to explore the alphabet and lists the many jobs, hobbies and activities someone can “do” with each letter of the

alphabet. The letters are front and center, with delightful details of peas playing throughout the illustrations. It’s a fun book to engage your children, as you help them discover something new in the illustrations with each read.

“CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM” by Bill Martin Jr.

In this lively alphabet rhyme, the letters of the alphabet race up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no! This classic has everything you want in a children’s book:

One morning after breakfast, Baby’s big brother is getting ready to take the basket of bananas all the way to Baba’s bungalow

in the next village. But what he doesn’t realize is that his very cute, very curious baby sibling has stowed away on his bicycle. Little ones learning about language will love sounding out the words in this playful, vibrantly illustrated story set in West Africa.

“C IS FOR CORNHUSKER: A NEBRASKA ALPHABET”

by Rajean Luebs Shepherd, illustrated by Sandy Appleoff Arbor Day, Boys Town, and Kool-Aid are just a few of the marks the Great Plains state

of Nebraska has made on American culture. From the state’s eastern border along the Missouri River, where Lewis and Clark embarked on the Corps of Discovery expedition, to the towering geologic landmarks of the west, chronicled in pioneers’ journals, there are treasures to explore on each page of “C is for Cornhusker.”

“H IS FOR HAWKEYE: AN IOWA ALPHABET”

by Patricia A. Pierce, illustrated by Bruce Langton

Did you know the Hawkeye State got its nickname from Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk tribe? Or that D is for Des Moines, the capital with the golden dome? Or that Iowa is bordered on each side by navigable rivers, the Missouri marks the western border and the Mississippi forms its eastern border. “H is for Hawkeye” presents these and many other interesting facts about the great state of Iowa.

“ALPHABET FAMILY BAND” by Sarah Jones

Grab your congas, utes, and xylophones — it’s an “Alphabet Family Band!” Bright, colorful illustrations feature members of a family playing a host of different musical instruments in a warm island setting. Harmoniously combining two concepts (letters and music), this lively board book will soon become a family favorite!

that are perfect for family movie nights in October FILMSHa oween

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK World-Herald Sta Writer

October is the perfect time for Halloween-themed family movie nights. “Hocus Pocus,” “Halloweentown” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are always favorites this time of year, but when you break out the popcorn and snacks, consider these fun lms as well.

‘THE HAUNTED MANSION’

2003, Rated PG

Based on the famous Disney attraction, “The Haunted Mansion” features a family of four, led by Eddie Murphy, who are invited to visit an old mansion under the ruse of a real estate sale. Once they arrive, the family quickly nd out that everything is not always what they seem. As they attempt to escape, they meet up with the mansion’s resident

ghosts and ghouls. This is a fun, colorful Halloween lm that has laughs and a few nonscary jump scares. Parental warning: The lm’s plot includes some adult themes, including brief mentions of murder and suicide.

‘HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA’

2012, Rated PG

Where do monsters go when they want to get away and escape the stress of hiding from humans? With an all-star vocal cast including Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Andy Samberg and Fran Drescher, “Hotel Transylvania” is an animated hit that gives you all of Halloween’s traditional cast (Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, Frankenstein, etc.). It’s as much a buddy-comedy as it is a story about family, acceptance and trying new things. Parental warning: There is a scene that eludes to the lynching and murder of Dracula’s wife.

‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’

1991, Rated PG13; 2019, Rated PG They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. And there are two different versions that are equally perfect for the Halloween season. The 1991 version is a live-action lm that features Raul Julia, Angelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci. This movie features all the fun antics of one of America’s most beloved television families on the big screen as Gomez Addams (Julia) is reunited with his long-lost brother, Fester (Lloyd). The 2019 version is animated and features the voices of Charlize Theron, Oscar Isaac, Bette Midler, Snoop Dogg and more. It tells the backstory of the Addams Family and pits them against their largest foe ever — suburbanites. Parental warning: Both lms have dark and macabre themes, but they are done humorously.

The adventures of the ghoulish Addams family are revived in the 1991 film, which acts as a continuation of the original 1964 TV series. Christina Ricci, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd and Anjelica Houston play the monstrous clan who must outwit a loan shark in order to keep their family home and fortune.

ORION

“Coco”

‘HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE’

2001, Rated PG

The first in the “Harry Potter” series, “The Sorcerer’s Stone” is probably the most family friendly of them all. The movie introduces Harry Potter to his magical world. Under the direction of Chris Columbus, the film uses vibrant, warm colors in its cg, sets and costuming, which gives the film a lighter, more comfortable feel for younger viewers. This film is the perfect way to end a day of apple and/or pumpkin picking. Parental warning: Some slightly scary scenes and mild language.

‘COCO’

2017, Rated PG

This Disney movie is rich and beautiful in so many ways (culture, music, family, etc.), yet it is a perfect fit for Halloweentime. It tells the story of young Miguel, an aspiring musician who is confronted with his family’s hatred music (based on an old family scandal). In an attempt to embrace his love of music and perform at a local concert, he inadvertently enters the Land of the Dead, and sets out to find the man he believes is his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. He meets up with his deceased family members and makes friends along the way. This movie features amazing animation and wonderful music. Parental warning: There are some thematic elements and a short scene depicting a murder, but it is not graphic.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” debuted on TV in 1966.

‘IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN’ 1966, Not rated

While technically not a movie, this animated, half-hour special is a timeless, Halloween classic that has been embraced by generations. In it, the Peanuts gang

ABC

— Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy — all prepare for Halloween with pumpkin carving, costume picking and trickor-treating, all while Linus and Sally sit in a pumpkin patch awaiting the arrival of The Great Pumpkin. For children, this is a funny and light-hearted cartoon. For parents and grandparents, it’s a memory from Halloween seasons past. Parental warning: None.

Harry, Ron and Hermione in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

AHOWLING GOOD TIME

HAUNTED HAYRIDES

The Ranch of Terror Haunted Hayrides are offered on Friday and Saturday nights at Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Patch, 11001 S. 48th St. The hayride is less scary, compared to the haunted house and other nighttime attractions, and is suitable for kids, but can still be scary at times. Cost is $15 per person on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. A noscare night will be offered, but dates have not yet been announced. Visit bellevueberryfarm.com/ ranch-of-terror for more information.

RACHEL GEORGE

T here are family-friendly Halloween events happening all month long.

COBWEB CASTLE

Meet members of the Cobweb Court this October in the Omaha Children’s Museum Cobweb Castle. You will learn all about spiders and their awesome secrets! Find out how spiders help humans, how incredibly strong (and beautiful) their webs are and why we should be nice to these spindly creatures. The Omaha Children’s Museum is located at 500 S. 20th St. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily admission is $15 each for ages 2 and older; memberships are available.

GHOULS & GLOW

Experience a light-time adventure for the whole family this Halloween at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St. This fun event is light-time adventure for the whole family. The event features more than 400 larger-than-life lantern displays, as well as trick-or-treating. These zero-fright nights will be held Oct. 7-9, 14-16, and 21-30, Sundays through Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit omahazoo.com.

HAUNTED FARMHOUSE, TRAIL & GRAVEYARD

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard, 12102 S. 180th St., Gretna, offers tons of not-so-scary family fun, including the classic haunted farmhouse. Admission prices vary. The farm is open daily through Oct. 31. Find more information at valaspumpkinpatch.com.

HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS

The House of Illusions is open all day along with more than 45 attractions at the Roca Berry Farm, 16531 S. 38th St., in Roca, Nebraska. Open daily through Oct. 31, admission prices vary. Visit rocaberryfarm.com for more information.

This year’s Zombie Walk will be Oct. 22 in Benson.

JIM O’KEEFE

Cobweb Castle at the Omaha Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday throughout October.

KENT SIEVERS , THE WORLD-HERALD

FULL MOON HIKE

Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. North, Bellevue, will host a Full Moon Hike on Oct. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Find out what forest life comes out after dark. Hikes will begin no later than 30 minutes after the event start time, so prompt arrival is advised. All hikes include an educational discussion of nocturnal animals around the forest and a brief talk into the lore of full moons. The event includes a bonfire and s’mores. Cost is $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Find more information at fontenelleforest.org.

CARS N’ COSPLAY

Lokul Car Club present the Halloween Cars N’ Cosplay Car Show on Oct. 8 at Shadow Lake Towne Center, 7775 Olson Drive, Papillion. The event offers free entry, music, food and awards, as well as a trunk or treat. Opens from 3 to 7 p.m.

QUAKER STEAK TRUNK OR TREAT

Join Quaker Steak and Lube, 3320 MidAmerica Drive, Council Bluffs, for a Trunk or Treat on Oct. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. Live music, beer garden, costume contest for children under 18 — with four prizes to hand out. There will also be a contest for the best decorated car or trunk, with one prize to be awarded.

DOUBLE FEATURE

A double feature of “Hotel Transylvania” and “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is set for 7:30 p.m. both Oct. 14 and 15, at Quasar Drive-In Theater, 13427 N. 300th St., Valley. For tickets and more information, visit quasardrivein.com.

CB TRUNK OR TREAT

Join the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment and Iowa Army National Guard for their second Trunk or Treat event Oct. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the 2415 E. Kanesville Blvd., Council Bluffs. The event is open to the community and features

a trunk-or-treating, bounce houses, military vehicles, games, costume contest and more.

CASS STREET TRICK OR TREAT

Omaha Conservatory of Music, Omaha Community Playhouse and Omaha Academy of Ballet will turn Cass Street into the spookiest street in Omaha on Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. Shriek with delight at the free family-friendly carnival at 7023 Cass St. Play games, win candy and get your ghastly groove on to the zombie orchestra. Dress up if you dare — costumes are encouraged. While not required, RSVPs can help organizers get a head count: omahacm.org/ calendar/cass-street-trick-r-treat.

OMAHA ZOMBIE WALK

Join Benson in the annual Zombie Walk at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22. Dress up, show up and enjoy. Visit facebook.com/ZombieWalkOmaha for more information.

FAIRVIEW CEMETERY TOURS

Nestled in the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River Valley, Fairview Cemetery is home to many Council Bluffs settlers, business entrepreneurs, and a scurry of black squirrels. This tour explores the majesty of this historic memorial garden, the lives of some who rest there and the art erected to memorialize them. Tickets start at $25 and can be found at historywalksnebraska.com. Tours will be offered Oct. 27 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 30 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; and Oct. 31 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at 308 Lafayette Ave., Council Bluffs.

SPOOKY SPRINT

The Spooky Sprint, a Halloween-themed run that is perfect for the whole family, will be held Oct. 29, at Lake Zorinsky. Event incudes swag, chip timing, live results and awards, free photos, costumes, free kids’ dash, post-race food and plenty of other activities. For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/NE/Omaha/ SpookySprint5k10kOmaha.

Ghouls & Glow nights return to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium this year. HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM

SPONSOREDBY:

Stir up appetites with

CAULDRON BROWNIES

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Staff Writer

BUBBLING WITCH’S CAULDRON BROWNIES

This is a yummy Halloween treat that’s easy for kids to help with.

• 1 b ox brownie mix, plus the ingredients listed on the box

• ½ cu p butter, room temperature

• 4 oun ces cream cheese, softened

• 1 t easpoon vanilla

• 3 t o 4 cups powdered sugar

• G reen food coloring

• Yellow food coloring, optional

• L arge green nonpareil sprinkles

• S mall green nonpareil sprinkles

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the brownie mix as directed on the box.

2. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each muffin well 2/3 full with brownie batter.

3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

4. Remove from the oven and use a ½ tablespoon to create indentations in each brownie. Allow the brownies to cool completely then remove from the pan.

5. To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth, 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and mix well. Gradually add in the powered sugar, beating until incorporated. Add in a small amount of green food coloring, beat until mixed. Optional, add in a drop or two of yellow food coloring if you’d like a more yellow-green colored frosting.

6. Use a spoon to put a dollop of frosting in each brownie cauldron. Use the spoon to create wisps in the frosting.

7. Add large green nonpareils and small green nonpareils to the frosting. If you want to create the look that the cauldron is bubbling over, spread frosting down one side of the brownie and add nonpareils there too.

8. Add a pretzel stick to each cauldron as a stir spoon.

9. Serve or store store in tightly-sealed container until ready to serve.

Adapted from thefirstyearblog.com

FALL CHECKERS

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

When hosting a gathering this fall — whether it’s a Halloween party, football watch party or just hanging around the repit — an oversized checkers game can help entertain young and old alike.

For a fun fall spin, we replaced the checkers with mini pumpkins on our fall-colored board.

Don’t have tools to cut a piece of wood? Area hardware stores sell precut 24-inch square pieces of wood in different thicknesses.

OVERSIZED CHECKERS

• Square piece of wood

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Paint, in two colors

• Paintbrush

• Sandpaper

1. Sand any rough edges on the board.

2. You’ll need to decide if you want a border around the edge of the board or if you just want the 64 squares.

3. If adding a border, use the ruler to lightly mark all the way around the board.

4. Measure space inside the border (or full width of the board) and divide by 8. This will be how large your individual squares are. For example, a 24-inch board with a 1-inch border leaves 22 inches inside the border. Divide 22 by 8 and you get 2.75. Using your ruler, make marks every 2.75 inches inside your border. Use the ruler to connect the marks and draw lines to make 64 small squares.

5. Paint every other square one color. Allow it to dry. Paint the remaining squares the second color. Allow it to dry. Then paint the border.

6. Add checkers or whatever fun item you want to use in place of checkers.

kiley.cruse@owh.com; 402-444-1375

At The Rose Studios for Youth Artists it’s a growing trend among students

KORI RADLOFF

Britain’s Prince George made headlines when his father Prince William shared that the young royal loves his ballet classes, sparking conversation about boys’ dance.

The importance dance and movement can have in students’ lives came as no surprise to those at The Rose, especially for artist educator Michael James, who leads The Rose’s Boys Athletic Dance (B.A.D.) classes. The program is growing by leaps and bounds at the theater’s educational facility, The Rose Studios for Youth Artists.

“Dance training is beneficial to a student’s overall health. It increases flexibility, coordination, balance, endurance and posture,” says James. “These are all things that are not only beneficial in dance but in all aspects of life as young people grow into adults.”

James notes that the benefits of dance are not limited only to girls.

“Boys dance courses focus on building strong muscles, self-esteem, confidence and teamwork while also encouraging creativity and self-expression,” he says. “Dance is a form of exercise and requires the same amount of energy as playing a sport. It’s beneficial to the athlete who needs that coordination and flexibility to improve upon their athletic endeavors but also is great for the future dancer or Broadway star hoping to make it on the big stage.”

The Rose’s program works to erase the stigma of boys dance by providing unique, male-only classes that focus on strengthbuilding and coordination in an environment that encourages camaraderie and personal development.

“We found that boys often felt ignored in traditional courses focused on females. The boys were left to figure out which aspect of the training is for their benefit as opposed to their female counterparts,” says James. “Taking a boys-centered dance course builds that sport like camaraderie that most boys crave.”

The male-only classroom provided in the B.A.D. program allows James to focus on the specific needs of the students, addressing the different ways that boys develop, both mentally and physically. The result is a community that allows young people a space to express themselves and embrace all sides of their personalities. “We’ve created an atmosphere at our studio that creates a

#BoysDanceToo

safe space for the boys and makes them feel included,” says James.

Over the past few years, interest in the B.A.D. program has grown from just a handful of students to more than 30 dancers, ranging in age from 6 to 18, with more on a waitlist. Their interests vary; some are focused on theater skills, but others are also using dance to enhance their abilities on the athletic field.

“I train football players, baseball players, basketball players and wrestlers,” says James.

James knows that his students all have different aspirations as participants in the B.A.D. classes. His approach to dance as a healthy way to increase stamina and flexibility allows students to benefit from a sports-like bonding with other boys that might typically be seen on the athletic field. Beyond dance skills, however, James is also teaching vital life skills: self-confidence, communication, teamwork, perseverance and standing up for what you want in life.

“A brotherhood has been formed between these boys who have grown up together under one common goal, to be themselves and do what they love,” says James. “We are developing a new generation of boys who look at dance as a skill to be learned and not a stereotype to be avoided.”

What parents should know about

REVIEWED BY CHARLES J. SPRAGUE, M.D. Boys Town Pediatrics

Organized sports teach children and adolescents how to work as a team, develop leadership, earn respect, learn discipline and stay active. Unfortunately, injury also comes with the territory. Just as a game or practice stops for a pulle d muscle, sprain or broken bone, if an athlete is suspected to have a possible concussion — it’s time to get off the eld.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury resulting from a direct hit or force to the head or neck that causes the brain to move back and forth in the skull. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contact sports are second, only to vehicle

accidents, as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among individuals ages 15 to 24.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION

Concussions in youth sports may be mild to severe, but all need to be treated by a medical professional. A common myth is that a person needs to fall unconscious or “black out” in order to have a concussion. This is not always the case. The following are signs and symptoms of a concussion:

• Headache

• Memory loss

• Behavior change

• Delayed physical responses

• Slurred or unclear speech

• Empty stare

• Blurred vision

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Sleepy or sleep problems

Serious long-term consequences may occur if a concussion is left untreated. If you suspect that your child may have a concussion or you notice that your child is showing signs or symptoms of a concussion, contact your child’s primary physician right away or take your child to the emergency room.

PREVENTION OF CONCUSSIONS

The best defense against sustaining a sports-related concussion is to make sure your child:

• Understands the rules of the game

• Learns proper training techniques

• Plays with children his/her age, size and development level

If a child does sustain a head injury during play, the child should be removed from play

and evaluated by a medical professional.

CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES in youth sports

As the parent, you can ask your child’s coach for the plan of action if a child is injured during the activity. Remember, you are the parent and if you feel your child has received any injury that should be medically evaluated, you have the authority to remove your child from play and seek medical care.

NEBRASKA LAW REGARDING CONCUSSIONS

Nebraska is one of 26 states that signed a Concussion Safety Law (LB 260), requiring schools to offer trainings to coaches on how to recognize the symptoms and to seek proper medical treatment for a concussion or brain injury. The law also requires immediate removal from the practice or game if the athlete is suspected to have a concussion or brain injury. In order to return to play, the athlete must be cleared by a licensed medical professional.

COACH CHCOA

ByRosePlaywright-in-Residence Brian Guehring

Parentsand teachersalwayssay “popularity doesn’t matter,” but for grade schoolers Cooperand Mia,itsure seems tobeimportant.Cooperisjustnot likethe sports playing,superhero-lovingboysinhis class.Mia alsofindsit challenging tobefriends withher femaleclassmates When a popular 7th gradernamed Blake offers tobetheir Popularity Coach (for a low, low price)Cooperand Mia signup, hoping maybe they’ll finallyfigure out how towin friends.But will Blake’s slick lessons on “How To BePopular” makematters better…or worse?

Playwright-in-residenceBrian Guehring’s worldpremiere playhas already received national recognitionvia NYU’s New Plays ForYoungAudiences. Itoffersa humorous lookat a heavy dilemma for young peopleeverywhere:How doyou find yourway among yourpeers and yet staytruetowho you are?