Omaha Magazine - The Bob Issue - Nov/Dec 2021 by Omaha Magazine

J. CRUM • REDEMPTION AFTER GANG LIFE • KAEL LAURIDSEN • TIMBER WOOD FIRE BISTRO

FROM

the Fire

ROBERT NELSON AND THE PHOENIX

U.S. $4.95

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

FROM THE EDITOR // LETTER BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

PHOENIXES, GANGS, AND FOOD N ov e m b e r /D e c e m b e r I s s u e W r e s t l e s Many Subjects

ormer Omaha Magazine editor Robert Nelson emailed me this past summer and wrote that he had a biography coming out in late fall this year, and that was all I needed to hear to know a magazine story was staring me in the face. Although he has left the flatlands of Nebraska for the Appalachias of Virginia, Bob is one of our favorite people around here—he’s caring, zany, funny, and an extraordinary writer. He’s also led an interesting life. That’s why he is the subject of our main feature.

The other feature is about gang violence in Omaha. Johnny Waller Jr. was involved in a Westroads Mall shooting in the 1990s and subsequently moved to Kansas City and turned his life around. Other gang members, or former gang members, are not so lucky. Teresa Negron, executive director of YouTurn Omaha, helps explains some of the reasons why young people turn to gangs. The Good Life Charcuterie is the subject of our dining feature this month. The cheeses, nuts, olives, and other non-meat nibbles on charcuterie boards have long been favorite snacks of mine. A great night, in my mind, is one spent with friends chatting over a bottle of wine and a plate of cheese, and this is a popular pastime for many others in the area. The Good Life Charcuterie even extends this pastime to people’s canine friends with their barkuterie. The winter holidays are often a time when people indulge in special foods, including going out for a nice dinner with family or friends. Our new dining reviewer chose Timber in Countryside Village to review this round, and found lots to love in this smoke-infused steakhouse. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a reported uptick in people reading about pandemics and the apocalypse, Tosca Lee was writing, and publishing books, about them. This Nebraska-based author has written New York Times bestsellers and is the subject of one of our A+C stories this issue. My family isn’t much into sports, but when I was a teenager, we would attend the University of Iowa vs. Iowa State University wrestling matches. I don’t profess to know a lot about the sport, but I know that it requires technical skill and speed, a duality that can be difficult for athletes to achieve. Bennington High School student Kael Lauridsen is one of those athletes who uses this combination. He traveled to the Pan-American Games in Oaxtepec, Mexico, this summer, and came home with two gold medals. The story of how he became an international-level wrestler is in this issue. Another favorite article of mine this round was that of Drew Gerken. He is a firefighter who has created a nonprofit to help bring furniture to those in need. The Furniture Project nonprofit attracted the attention of Mike Rowe, the former host of Dirty Jobs and the Facebook series Returning the Favor. There are a lot of great articles in this issue. I hope you enjoy them all.

* Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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2021

TAB L E of CON T E N T S THE USUAL SUSPECTS 03

From the Editor Phoenixes, Gangs, and Food

Between the Lines

Calendar of Events

042 History

The Hayden Family

065 Obviously Omaha Toys and Joys

082 Explore! 087 Instagram 088 Not Funny

Stream of Shoppingness

A R T S + C U LT U R E 014 Music

J. Crum

018 Visual

Valerie Leighton

020 Author

Tosca Lee

022 Entertainment

The Weisenheimers

PE O P L E

028

F E AT U R E S

028 UP FROM THE FIRE

Robert Nelson and the Phoenix Developer-Turned-Governor and Convicted Pardoned Felon

036 // 4 //

BETTER CHOICES LEAD TO BETTER DAYS Redemption After the Gang Life

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

026 Gen O

Megan Stackhouse

034 Adventure

Amber Johnson

044 Profile

Miss Nebraskas

054 Sports

Kael Lauridsen

GIVING 048 Profile

Drew Gerken

050 Calendar

read online at omahamagazine.com J. CRUM • REDEMPTION AFTER GANG LIFE • KAEL LAURIDSEN • TIMBER WOOD FIRE BISTRO

FROM

the Fire

ROBERT NELSON AND THE PHOENIX

U.S. $4.95

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

A B O U T T HE COV ER

60PLUS

014

Former Omaha Magazine editor Robert Nelson has gone from award-winning journalist to alcoholism, stroke victim, and depression, and back to award-winning writer—much as his subject John Fife Symington III went from revered businessman to felon to a pardoned man.

058 Nostalgia

Brandeis at Holiday-Time

060 Profile

Ruth Ciemnoczolowski

062 Active Living

Mike and Cheryl Sisk

DINING 066 Feature

The Good Life Charcuterie

070 Profile

Katina Talley

072 Review

Timber Wood Fire Bistro

076 Dining Guide

072

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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OMAHA’S

T HE L I NE S Between

MAGAZINE

A LOOK AT TWO OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS

JD AVANT—Freelance Writer My Life, At the Moment Eagerly anticipating marriage to the love of my life. Dobies and Danes are calming, hectic, happy parts of my life. My life, my life in the sunshine. You wake up every day, but you die just one time. I’m an enigma to all but a few women and men, And all the many blows I’ve been dealt have forged a man of now and then. Filled with joy, empathy, fortitude. Dark-skinned with glasses also known as “hey you’re that dude!” A great grin, strong chin Ruler of the House of Friends. And don’t forget to mention quite handy with his Pen.

SANDY MATSON—Contributing Editor Matson was born in Iowa and is a farm girl through and through. This November marks her 10th anniversary at Omaha Magazine. Initially hired as a member of the sales team, Matson soon moved into roles as a contributing editor for OmahaHome as well as an assistant to the publisher. She loves creating DIYs and coming up with new ideas for the magazine, as well as living at the lake with husband Rich and their sweet dachshund, Hinkley. Matson has three grown children and two grandchildren. In the winter months, she can often be found on a beach in Mexico.

THE

FUTURE

OF BUSINESS OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM/PAGES/SUBSCRIBE

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 39 // ISSUE 7

le n Sa

! No w

Sal

e No

EDITORIAL Managing Editor

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor

TARA SPENCER Associate Editor

LINDA PERSIGEHL Editorial Intern

HANNAH HESER Contributing Writers

JD AVANT · KAMRIN BAKER · KIM CARPENTER · DAWN GONZALES CHRIS HATCH · HANNAH HESER · GREG JERRETT · JEFF LACEY SARA LOCKE · JOSEFINA LOZA · DOUG MEIGS · SEAN ROBINSON CARIELLE SEDERSTEN · KARA SCHWEISS · WENDY TOWNLEY DOUGLAS “OTIS TWELVE” WESSELMANN

CREATIVE Creative Director

MATT WIECZOREK

Nov. 19–Dec. 23

Nov. 26–Dec. 23

Hawk Mainstage Theatre

Howard Drew Theatre

Senior Graphic Designer

DEREK JOY Graphic Designer II

(402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com

MADY BESCH Contributing Photographers

JUSTIN BARNES · KEITH BINDER · COLIN CONCES SCOTT DRICKEY · JOSHUA FOO · WILLIAM HESS · SARAH LEMKE

Presenting Sponsor:

Orchestra Sponsor:

Presenting Sponsor:

SALES Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing

Artistic Team Sponsor:

Effects Sponsor:

Counting House Sponsor:

Cast Dinner Sponsor:

GIL COHEN Publisher’s Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor

FACES from the INTERIOR

SANDY MATSON Senior Sales Coordinator

ALICIA HOLLINS Branding Specialists

DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN

The North American Portraits of Karl Bodmer

Contributing Branding Specialists

JILLIAN DUNN · MARY HIATT · TIM McCORMACK

OPERATIONS Accounting/Operations Manager

KYLE FISHER Ad Traffic Manager

DAVID TROUBA

October 2, 2021 through May 1, 2022

Digital Manager

Faces from the Interior features over 60 recently conserved watercolor portraits of individuals from Omaha, Yankton, Lakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Assiniboine, and Blackfoot tribes, among many Native communities encountered by Prince Maximilian of Wied and Swiss artist Karl Bodmer during their 1833-34 travels along the Missouri River from Saint Louis to Fort McKenzie, in present-day Montana.

MEGAN BARTHOLOMEW Digital Assistant

JULIUS FREDRICK Distribution Manager

DAMIAN INGERSOLL

EXECUTIVE Executive Publisher

TODD LEMKE Vice President

Exhibition organized by the Margre H. Durham Center for Western Studies, Joslyn Art Museum, in association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

GREG BRUNS IMAGE: Karl Bodmer (Swiss, 1809–1893), Chan-Chä-Uiá-Te-Üinn, Lakota Sioux Woman, 1833, watercolor and graphite on paper, 17 1/8 × 11 7/8 in., Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation, 1986.49.246, Photograph © Bruce M. White, 2019

Associate Publisher

BILL SITZMANN For Advertising & Subscription Information:

402.884.2000 Omaha Magazine Vol 39 Issue VII, publishes monthly except February, April, August, November, December, totaling 8 issues by Omaha Magazine, LTD, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137. Periodical postage at Omaha, NE, and additional offices and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omaha Magazine, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137

Presenting Sponsor

Major Sponsors Annette and Paul Smith

Contributing Sponsors Susan and Mike Lebens

Supporting Sponsors John K. and Lynne D. Boyer Family Foundation Gerry and Bruce Lauritzen

Additional support provided by Judy and Robert Bates, Dawn and Sid Dinsdale, The Bill and Leona Kernen Family, Barbara and Ronald Schaefer, Phyllis and Del Toebben, Wiesman Development

2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE | (402) 342-3300 | www.joslyn.org NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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C A L E N D A R 8

EVENTS

» Exhibits « CONJURE

Through Nov. 19 at Union for Contemporary Arts, 2423 N. 24th St. Printmaker Delita Martin works

primarily from oral traditions, along with vintage and family photographs to explore the power of the narrative impulse. 1-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission: free. 402.933.3161. –u-ca.org

40 CHANCES: FINDING HOPE IN A HUNGRY WORLD EXHIBITION

Through Jan. 30, 2022, at Durham Museum 801 S. 10th St. This exhibit features the 40 images by

Howard G. Buﬀett to document the world hunger crisis. Noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for members and children 2 and under. 402.444.5071. –durhammuseum.org

AMERICAN IMPRESSIONIST SOCIETY—22ND ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION

Through Dec. 12 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. Th is exhibit will feature 200 impres-

sionist artworks by artists across the country. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, by appointment only. Admission: free. 402.305.1510. –gallery1516.org

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

COLIN C. SMITH, SOFT GEOMETRY PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE

Through Nov. 22 at Creighton University Lied Art Gallery, 2500 California Plaza. Smith’s

wall pieces reference minimal painting and expressionism, while his floor sculptures are playful and casual. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission: free. 402.280.2290. –creighton.edu

NEIL GRIESS EXHIBITION

Through Dec. 21 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Neil Griess is a visual artist currently

living and working in Omaha. He has 10 paintings of surreal, abstracted landscapes of strong perspectives. By appointment only, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Admission: free. 402.595.2122. –artscouncil.nebraska.gov

INNA KULAGINA AND NICKI BYRUM

Nov. 5 - 28 at Artists’ Co-op, 405 S 11th St.

Kulagina expresses her aesthetic through the creation of wearable art and painting with textiles. Byrum works with bold colors and flowing lines in acrylic paintings and weaving. 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission: free. 402.342.9617. –artistscoopomaha.com

GAME ON!

HOLIDAY ART SHOW

dren’s exhibit brings well-known board games and video games into real life adventures. Tuesdays through Fridays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: kids 2-15 and adults $14, seniors 60+ $13. 402.342.6164. –ocm.org

exhibition showcases individual works from 10 local artists for purchase day of event. Nov.12 from 5-9 p.m. and Nov 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: free. 402.415.7095 –split.gallery

Through Jan. 2, 2022 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. This interactive chil-

FORM

Through Feb. 25, 2022 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. In honor of receiving the Lifetime Achieve-

ment Award from the International Sculpture Center, Kaneko has installed an exhibit in the KANEKO Bow Truss Gallery featuring pieces from his permanent collection. 1-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 402.341.3800.

FACES FROM THE INTERIOR: THE NORTH AMERICAN PORTRAITS OF KARL BODMER

Through May 1, 2022, at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Joslyn’s first exhibit focusing on

Bodmer’s watercolor portraits of Native Americans features 64 recently conserved watercolors, including portraits of individuals from Omaha tribes. Tickets: $10 general admission, $5 college students with ID, free for Joslyn members and youth ages 17 and younger. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. 402.342.3300. –joslyn.org

November 12-13, Split Gallery, 2561 Leavenworth St. Th is multidisciplinary holiday art

HOLIDAY AT SUGAR HILL: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY DANTZIC

Dec. 4 – Feb. 27, 2022, at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. In April 1957, photojournalist

Jerry Dantzic gained special access to Billie Holiday during a week-long run of performances at New Jersey nightclub, Sugar Hill. What unfolded was an unexpected and intimate journey into her world. Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays: noon-4 p.m. 402.444.5071. –durhammuseum.org

UNO 1820: WATERCOLOUR WORKS FROM ALUMNI AND CURRENT STUDENTS

Dec. 4-5 at Split Gallery, 2561 Leavenworth St.

Works of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s advanced watercolour class focus on the beautiful qualities found in this media. December 4 from 4-8 p.m. and December 5 from 3-6 p.m. Admission: free. 402.415.7095. –split.gallery

Five venues, five unique celebration experiences. Hosting events for 100 - 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week. Schedule a consultation with our team of experts today. hello@omahaeventgroup.com | 402.819.8792 | omahaeventgroup.com Omaha Design Center | The Downtown Club | Empire Room | Omaha Palazzo | Anderson O'Brien Fine Art Gallery

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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» Concerts « REMO DRIVE

PRESENTED BY

Nov. 2 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Remo

Drive’s third LP A Portrait of an Ugly Man is in many ways a return to form for the Minnesota-based indie-rock duo. Their latest album is both spontaneous and buoyant. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 advance, $20 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

ABSINTHE ALLIE

Nov. 3 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Absinthe Allie is one of Omaha’s newest

bands. They describe themselves as Omaha attic indie. 7 p.m. Tickets: $10 advance, $13 DOS. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

EARTH GROANS

Nov. 4 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

This South Dakota group’s previous EP’s, Renovate and Rehab, cemented them as a band worthy of notice. Their play on song structure and metaphor highlights their creativity. 7 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $12 DOS. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

PERT NEAR SANDSTONE

Nov. 4 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St.

Co-founders of the Blue Ox Music Festival, Pert Near's song craft melds old-time sensibilities with a unique brand of modern string band music. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 advance, $18 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

ALEXIS ARAI Y SU GRUPO LATINO

Nov. 6 at The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave. Arai’s

four-octave vocal range and eclectic style have led to appearances on the stages of The Voice, American Idol, and Tengo Talento Mucho Talento. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. 917.748.4337. –jewellomaha.com

I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME

Nov. 6 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St.

iDKHOW is a new project who have yet to release their debut album, but they already have an impressive string of hit singles. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 DOS. –theslowdown.com

DOPAPOD

Nov. 9 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. The band and each of its seven albums sports

a palindromic name. The group took a break in 2018, but they are returning with renewed energy. 8 p.m. Tickets: $18 advance, $20 DOS. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

MATT WHIPKEY

Nov. 12 at The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave. Omaha-based singer-songwriter Whipkey will oﬀer a full band performance featuring local musicians at this album release celebration. Whipkey has traveled as a touring support act for Dwight Yoakam, Heart, and America. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. 917.748.4337. –jewellomaha.com

VIDEO AGE + SHY BOYS

Nov. 17 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Video Age is the project of Ross Farbe and Ray Micarelli, longtime friends who came up in New Orleans’ DIY scene. They use vintage synthesizers to craft music that taps into a vein of early ’80s synth-pop. 7p.m. Tickets: $13 advance, $15 DOS. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

REVOLUCIÓN DE AMOR (MANÁ TRIBUTE)

TENNIS

de Amor and it was this fan favorite album and title that ultimately inspired this group. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

mer is an album composed during Tennis artists’ darkest days, it is a deeply personal album that carried Tennis through their grief. 7 p.m. Tickets: $18 advance. $20 DOS.402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

Nov. 12 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. In 2002 Mana released the album Revolución

VOLUMES

Nov. 12 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

After four years apart, the group reconvenes with original vocalist Michael Barr. Their total stream tally has exceeded 40 million, drawing recognition from Alternative Press, New Noise Magazine, Rock Sound, and more. 6 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

DAN + SHAY THE (ARENA) TOUR

Nov. 12 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. This is the fifth concert tour by country

music duo Dan + Shay, supporting the release of their fourth studio album. Supporting acts include The Band Camino, Ingrid Andress, and Runaway June. 6 p.m. Tickets: $36.50-$96. 402.341.1500 –chihealth.com

PHASEONE

Nov. 13 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Phase-

One is an Australian legend, emerging onto the scene in 2013 with strong skills in music production, forming his own distinctive style by mixing heavy metal elements with heavy-duty bass. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

CHUCK PROPHET AND THE MISSION EXPRESS

Nov.14 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. For almost 30 years, Prophet has delivered a familiar sound, oﬀering a blend of ’50s country, ’60s pop, and pure rock 'n' roll. 5 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

THE FIXX/THE ENGLISH BEAT

Nov. 16 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. The Fixx are joining up with fellow early '80s

vets The English Beat for this fall tour. 8 p.m. $32 advance, $35 DOS. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

Nov. 17 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Swim-

THE DRIFTERS, CORNELL GUNTER’S COASTERS, AND THE PLATTERS

Nov. 19. at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Spend a nostalgic evening with

three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame groups who were instrumental in creating the Rock & Roll/Doo Wop sound: The Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, and The Platters. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $39.50$69.50. 402.345.0202. –o-pa-org

MATT WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA

Nov. 19 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Wilson has been writing music nonstop since childhood and is currently performing with a harp, banjo, and electric bass combo he calls an orchestra. In addition to original music, the group play upbeat songs from all eras. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

AN EVENING WITH BODEANS

Nov. 21 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Those who have followed BoDeans’ remarkable

30-year musical career know that their blend of compelling songs and high energy performances have retained a loyal following like no other. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 DOS. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

TINY MOVING PARTS

Nov. 22 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. This American rock band was formed by brothers William and Matthew Chevalier and cousin Dylan Mattheisen. They have released seven studio albums since their 2008 formation in junior high.

6:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 advance, $22 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

KALEIDO

Nov. 23 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Formed in late 2011, Kaliedo pairs a heavy rock sound with a strong melodic pop sense. They’ve appeared on Warp Tour and opened for artists like Aerosmith, Evanescence, and Twenty One Pilots. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12 advance, $16 DOS. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

GRAYSCALE

Nov. 23 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. This

group takes intimate urban stories of broken hearts, bad drugs, blissful sex, and busted dreams and turns them into one alternative rock cult favorite after another. 6 p.m. Tickets: $18 advance, $22 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART: A CONCERT FEATURING CAMILLE METOYER MOTEN

Nov. 26-Dec. 23. at Howard Drew Theatre, 6915 Cass St. OCP legend Camille Metoyer

Moten makes her highly anticipated return to the stage for an intimate holiday aﬀair. Christmas in My Heart is all the wonder and magic of the season in concert. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35. 402.553.0800. –omahaplayhouse.com,

YESTERDAY AND TODAY: THE INTERACTIVE BEATLES EXPERIENCE

Nov.26-Dec. 31 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. This is the nation’s most innovative and unique

show utilizing the works of the Beatles. This amazing six-piece band, anchored by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan, perform as themselves and leave the song choices in the hands of the audience. Various times. Tickets: $20-$60. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE IN CONCERT OMAHA SYMPHONY

Nov. 27-28. Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Experience the fourth fi lm in

the Harry Potter™ film series in high definition on the big screen while Patrick Doyle’s unforgettable music is performed live-to-picture. 7:30 p.m. Sat. Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sun. Nov. 28. Tickets: $20-$89. 402.345.0202. –o-pa-org

MONOPHONICS

Dec. 1 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Mono-

phonics have risen from their California studio Transistor Sound to oﬀer the world a new album, entitled It’s Only Us, due this year. It reflects what they see as the current direction in the world. 7 p.m. Tickets $15 advance, $18 DOS. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

ERIN RAE

TURKUAZ

As a reflection of her Tennessee upbringing, Rae’s songs fuse musical genres and influences to create fresh new sounds. She has been compared to artists such as Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne. 8 p.m. Tickets $10. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

Balancing male-female harmonies, strutting guitars, wild horn arrangements, and interminable grooves, a spirit takes shape on stage nightly for Turkuaz via larger-than-life performances. 8 p.m. Tickets: $22 advance, $25 DOS. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

Dec. 2 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

LESLIE ODOM JR.

The Christmas Tour, Dec. 1. at Holland Performing ArtsCenter, 1200 Douglas St. Odom,

Jr. is a multifaceted, award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author, and actor. His holiday show will feature music from his newest Christmas album with both original songs and holiday tunes. Tickets: $35-65. 402.345.0202 –o-pa-org

SEEYOUSPACECOWBOY

Dec. 3 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. A

Los Angles-based group who blend heavy hardcore and politically minded art-punk, SeeYouSpaceCowboy released their new EP A Sure Disaster in 2021. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

JAMES TAYLOR WITH SPECIAL GUEST JACKSON BROWNE

December 7 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Six-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor and his All-Star Band are joined by Songwriter Hall of Fame winner Jackson Browne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $59-$119.50.402.341.1500 –chihealth.com

ANDERSON EAST

Dec. 7 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Maybe We Never Die, East’s third release for Elektra/ Low Country Sound, takes the Alabama-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter’s seductively vintage voice in a decidedly fresh direction. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$89. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

“HOLIDAY STOMP” WITH THE HOT SARDINES AND THE SHAWN BELL TRIO

Dec. 10 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Full of brass and dazzle, this hot jazz band will infuse yuletide classics with their unique and swinging sound. 7:30 p.m Tickets: $20-$48. 402.345.0202. –o-pa-org

JASON MRAZ WITH TOCA RIVERA WITH SPECIAL GUEST GREGORY PAGE

Dec. 10 Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. To

celebrate the 20th anniversary and re-release of his first album Live & Acoustic, Mraz is hitting the road with longtime collaborator Toca Rivera. 8 p.m. Tickets: $36.50-$80.50. 402.345.0606. –o-pa.org

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Dec. 10 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St.

DAVID BENOIT CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE BROWN

Dec. 11 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a tra-

dition enjoyed around the world. David Benoit, along with acclaimed singer and songwriter Courtney Fortune, is paying tribute to this incredible piece of entertainment history. 7.30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$39. –o-pa-org

» Performances « HAMILTON

Through Nov. 14, Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop,

jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton returns to Omaha bringing the story of America then, as told by America now. Tickets: $59-$179. 402.345.0606. –o-pa.org

MARY MACK

Nov. 3 at Omaha Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St. Mack is an American comedian, musician,

and writer currently starring as Jesse in the animated sitcom Solar Opposites. She has released five albums of her stand-up. Times vary. Tickets: $20. 402.493.8036. –omaha.funnybone.com

FLATLAND CAVALRY

THE FUN TOUR: JIM GAFFIGAN

album, Homeland Insecurity, Texas’ Flatland Cavalry wants to stop and smell the roses. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402.884.5353. –waitingroomlounge.com

brand of comedy, award winning Jim Gaffigan recently released his eighth stand-up special. 7 p.m. Tickets $41-$46.75. 402.341.1500 –chihealth.com

Dec. 11 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. With their highly anticipated sophomore

Nov. 4 at CHI Health Center Omaha. 455 N 10th St. Known around the world for his unique

JIM BRICKMAN: THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

JIM BREUER

The multiple Grammy-nominated songwriter and piano sensation is back this festive season with his annual holiday tour “The Gift of Christmas.” 7 p.m. Tickets $49.50-$79.50. 402.345.0606. –o-pa.org

the ‘90s and starred in the movie Half-Baked. Times vary. Tickets: $35. 402.493.8036. –omaha.funnybone.com

Dec. 12 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

ARLO MCKINLEY

Dec. 14 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Mckinley is an American country singer-songwriter with concert covers that range from Johnny Paycheck and The Misfits to Rihanna and Post Malone. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 advance, $18 DOS. 402.884.5707. –reverblounge.com

OMAHA SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Dec. 16 through 19 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Ernest Richardson, the

Omaha Symphony, and a stellar cast of singers and dancers send your spirits soaring with festive favorites and Christmas classics. Dec. 16-19 7 p.m., Dec. 18-19 2 p.m. Tickets: $20-$89. 402.345.0202 –o-pa-org

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

Dec. 22 - 23 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Celebrate the magic of Mannheim Steamroller during their annual holiday tour. While 2020 was the first year the group was unable to tour in 35 years, 2021 will reunite the group with its legion of longtime fans. 7.30 p.m. Tickets: $39$59. 402.345.0606. –o-pa.org

Nov. 11-13 at Omaha Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St. Breuer was on Saturday Night Live in

THE WEISENHEIMERS— THE MAKE UP SHOW

Nov 12. at Howard Drew Theatre, 6915 Cass St. The Weisenheimers are back at the Omaha

Community Playhouse. The Midwest’s premier improv comedy group returns for one night only. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402.553.0800. –omahaplayhouse.com

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nov. 19 through Dec. 23 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Filled with stunning

Victorian costumes, festive music and crisp, wintry sets, A Christmas Carol is a reminder of the power of redemption and generosity. Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets:$40-$45. 402.553.0800. –omahaplayhouse.com

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE: TIME BUBBLE TOUR

Nov. 24 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Audiences can experience the cult classic live, sitting in the same theater as their favorite characters. 7 p.m. Tickets: $35-$55. 402.345.0606. –ticketomaha.com

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS

VETERANS SHINE ON

LIGHTS OF AKSARBEN

Christmas movies ever, A Very Die Hard Christmas pits hero John McClane against the nemesis Hans Gruber once again. Times vary. Tickets: TBA. 402.345.1576. —bluebarn.org

Speakers, special guests, hot cocoa, and music will contribute to this night for honoring veterans. 6-7 p.m. Admission: free. 402.444.5900. –parks.cityofomaha.edu

the tree lighting and includes community activities (in a heated tent). 6-8 p.m. Admission: free. 402.496.1616. –aksarbenvillage.com

Nov. 26-Dec. 19 at BlueBarn Theater, 1106 S 10th St. Based on one of the most argued about

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER

With Aaron Derell, at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Nov. 28. A holiday mash-up for the whole

family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. 2 p.m. Tickets: $20-$60. 402.345.0606. –ticketomaha.com

Nov. 4 at Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave. The lighting of the World War II Colonnade.

STAR WARS FAMILY FUN WEEKEND

WINTER WONDERLAND

characters, activities and crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Included with regular museum admission: $14 children and adults ages 2-59, $13 seniors, free for members and children under 2. 402.342.6164. –ocm.org

carriage rides, hot chocolate, s’mores, and more. 5-9 p.m. Admission: free. 402.331.3917. –papillionfoundation.org

November 12-14 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. This event will include Star Wars

TRAILER PARK BOYS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SUNNYVALE CHRISTMAS

BRIGHT NIGHTS

Sunnyvale trailer park continue with the Trailer Park Boys’ 20th Anniversary Sunnyvale Xmas. 8 p.m. Tickets $27.50-$39.50. 402.345.0202 –o-pa-org

that glow and shine, showcasing nature in a new light. Open from 5-8 p.m. Adults: $10, Children ages 3 to 12: $5, Children 2 and under and garden members: free.

THE NUTCRACKER: AMERICA MIDWEST BALLET

OLD MARKET LIGHTS

Dec. 2 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The hilarious misadventures of the

Dec. 4 - 5 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Set to one of composer Tchaikovsky’s most famous works, The Nutcracker returns with the visual splendor and charming story that make it a family favorite. Saturday at 2 and 7:30, Sunday at 2. Tickets $27-$67. 402.345.0606. –ticketomaha.com

A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS

Dec 5 at The Slowdown 729 N. 14th St. Like a nut-

case St. Nick for Christmas crazies, John Waters, “gutter” filmmaker, tawdry stand-up comedian, and author of many appalling books, is on tour with a whole new bag of holiday fi lth. 7 p.m. $40-$125. 402.345.7569. –theslowdown.com

November 20-21, 24, and 26-28, December 3-5, 11-23, 26-30, January 2-3 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. View festive installations

Nov. 22-Jan. 3 in the Old Market. A festive light-

ing display will illuminate the streets during Holidays in the Old Market, blanketing the market and surrounding streets with white lights, garland, snowflakes, and more. 402.345.5401. –holidaylightsfestival.org

NORTH & SOUTH OMAHA LIGHTS

Nov. 22 -Jan. 3 on 24th St., Various locations.

Festive lighting displays will illuminate North Omaha along a six-block area around 24th and Lake streets and South Omaha along 24th St. between L and Q streets. Special lighting ceremonies and events take place in each area. 402.345.5401. –holidaylightsfestival.org

CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION

BOB SAGET

Dec. 17-18 at Omaha Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St. This Full House star’s standup is a far cry

from the squeaky clean Danny Tanner he played on the show. He was also the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos and now has his own podcast. Times vary. Tickets: $30-$40. 402.493.8036. –omaha.funnybone.com

Family & More AUTUMN FESTIVAL: ARTS AND CRAFTS AFFAIR

Nov. 4-7 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Art from

hundreds of the best crafters and artists in the country plus food and drinks makes for an excellent family event. Thur.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $9 adults, $8 seniors (62+), free for children under 10. 402.934.9966. –ralstonarena.com

Nov.26, and Dec. 3, 10, 17 at Stinson Park, 2285 S. 67th St. Th is annual event starts with

Nov. 26 through Jan. 9 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Omaha’s largest indoor Christmas

tree will once again light up Union Station. Check online for details on related events. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for members children 2 years and under. 402.444.5071 –durhammuseaum.org

HOLIDAYS EVENTS AT OCM

Nov. 26-Dec. 23 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. The Omaha Children’s Museum

will host a variety of special events during the holiday season. Admission: $14 children and adults, $13 seniors ages 60+, and free for members and children under 24 months. 402.342.6164. –ocm.org

Nov. 30 in Downtown Papillion, 122 E. Third St. This small-town festival includes festive lights,

HOT SHOPS WINTER OPEN HOUSE

Dec. 4-5 at Hot Shops, 1301 Nicholas St., and online. Hot Shops hosts its annual event

with demonstrations and talks from current artists. Admission: free. Donations are accepted. 402.342.6452. –hotshopsartcenter.com

HOLIDAY LIGHTS FAMILY FESTIVAL

Dec. 5, The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.

Enjoy an afternoon of free fun, including crafts, holiday-themed activities, entertainment and more. 402.345.5401. –holidaylightsfestival.org

MILK & COOKIES WITH SANTA

Dec. 10-12, at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Admission: $14 adults and children,

$13 seniors ages (60+), and free to members and children under 2. 402.342.6164. –ocm.org

BUBBLY NEW YEAR’S EVE

Dec. 31 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Ring in the New Year with a celebration

of bubbles including a bubble wrap stomp and bubble experiments. The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included with regular museum admission: $14 children and adults, $13 seniors ages 60+, and free for members and children under 2. 402.342.6164. –ocm.org

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

Dec. 31 in downtown Omaha. This dazzling show

will fill the sky with bursts of color choreographed to explode on cue to a unique musical score. 7 p.m. 402.345.5401. –holidaylightsfestival.org Event times and details are correct as of presstime, but are subject to change. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, many events are canceling and/or changing dates/time/places as needed. Omaha Magazine encourages readers to visit venues' websites and/or calling ahead before attending an event or visiting a museum. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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J .

C R U M ’ S

M U S I C A+C MUSIC

G I F T

G I V E S

STORY BY JOSEFINA E. LOZA

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H O P E

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

O F

DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

J. CRUM AT MAKE BELIEVE STUDIOS

“I’M A FAN, NOT JUST OF HIS MUSIC, BUT OF WHO HE IS AS A PERSON. I LOVE HOW HE’S USING HIS CRAFT FOR THE GREATER GOOD. TO ELEVATE HIS COMMUNITY, INSPIRE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT HE ISN’T AFRAID TO SHARE HIS FAITH IN CHRIST.” -CHRISNA CLARK

{ A+C SIC } oshua Crum pours it all out for the sake of Christ. “My music is eclectic, soulful, and transparent,” said the 33-year-old independent artist known as J. Crum. “I talk about everything that is important to me. My marriage. Mental health. My faith.” The Detroit-born musician was raised in a group home at Boys Town, where his parents worked as house parents. At 7, the family left the group home to live in Omaha proper. His parents split up three years later, and Crum and his mother moved into their own place. While a sophomore at Omaha Northwest High School, Crum suﬀered a subdural empyema, an intracranial infection. “I almost died,” he said. “It was scary when it happened. It got to the point where I couldn’t put sentences together. I couldn’t communicate that there was something wrong with me.” Crum was placed in a medically induced coma to protect him from severe seizures triggered by the brain infection. “My whole family thought I was going to die.” Crum said he was thankful for the tutor Omaha Public Schools provided to help him keep up on his studies while he was hospital-bound. When he returned to school, he was actually ahead. Instead of an early graduation, he took several study halls. During those hours, he picked up a new hobby—writing music. “Out of boredom, I started rapping because I had all of this time to fi gure out what I wanted to do,” he said. Shortly after graduating in 2006, he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he studied psychology. In 2008, he switched gears and attended Global University, graduating with a degree in biblical studies. At 24, he ran a group home for boys as a family care associate. He felt he could have a lasting impact on other young impressionable men.

“I just want to help people in whatever situation they might be in,” he said. “To show them that the choices that they’ve been making…there is always an out.” After running the home for nearly five years, Crum decided to put all of his energy toward making music full time. Around that time, he met his wife, Jessica, who is also a singer. He said it was the second time in his life he wasn’t able to put sentences together,. “She’s pretty dope,” he swooned. “I met her at an event. When I saw her, I just knew I needed to speak to her.” On that day, he couldn’t muster up the words to approach her beyond a simple “hi” and an awkward wave. Eventually, though, the two dated and married. “She’s extremely supportive,” Crum said. “You’ll fi nd her at each and every show. She’s probably the loudest person in the room.” Fellow musician Chrisna Clark is also a supporter. “I’m a fan, not just of his music, but of who he is as a person,” she said. “I love how he’s using his craft for the greater good. To elevate his community, inspire…and I absolutely love that he isn’t afraid to share his faith in Christ.” Crum said of his listeners, “Anybody from any walk of life can fi nd something that resonates with them in my music. Music is like therapy for me. It’s not a replacement for therapy, but it has been a [way] for me to have a voice.” And that’s what makes him authentic. “He has mad grit and determination, and is dedicated to his craft,” said Nadira Ford Robbins, who has followed his music. “He’s transparent and there’s a rare quality of realness in his music.” Those sentiments were also felt and shared by founder of Culxr House Marcey Yates. “What I love about my brother J. Crum is his dedication…I love his showmanship and representation. He has a great sense of humor as a person,” Yates said, adding that he has known Crum for about six years. “He always shows up and puts his heart in it. As a hip-hop-to-death guy, I appreciate authentic and real rap when I hear his music. He has made an obvious transition with faith and he speaks on it. Th at’s authentic.”

Crum said he writes for people who feel like they may be struggling to fi nd their place. “It’s for the people who feel like maybe people don’t see them. When I’m writing my music, I always keep them in mind.” Crum has been honored with 15 nominations for the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, winning the Best in Hip-Hop category in 2018 and 2020. He is also the founder of Streetlight Sounds, which provides services such as consulting, management, social media management, mixing and mastering, and graphic design for independent artists. A recent collaboration with artist nobigdyl resulted in the song “Made For Th is,” which was regularly played by the Seattle Seahawks and the University of Michigan football teams as a game-day song. “A lot of people think you have to have millions of streams to make money,” he said. “Really you don’t need all of that— just a passionate fan base.” Crum’s fans have followed his journey and continue to root for him. Mars Nevada, who lived in Omaha for a brief stint, said Crum “was actually one of the fi rst musicians and artists I ever saw when I moved to Omaha. Th at was my intro to the creative community and energy of Omaha. It didn’t just make me want to move to the music, it made me want to create.” Crum’s personal connection with his listeners is inspiring. Many of his fans supported his performances during both Maha's 2020 virtual event and their in-person 2021 concert. “It was really dope,” he said. “It’s really special for our band…especially to see the fans who had been rocking with us since day one. They’re part of the team.” Visit jcrummusic.com for more information.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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alerie Leighton has been nailing it as a stained glass artisan for nearly 30 years. Those who don’t know her can find her pieces—such as custom one-of-a-kind windows and installations to smaller pieces such as suncatchers and jewelry—all around Omaha. Operating out of a studio in north downtown’s Hot Shops, she commonly works with homeowners and businesses to create lasting pieces that are scattered throughout the metro area. She considers this her legacy. Beautifully designed, assembled, and painted by her, there are windows with "wow" factor peppered across this city—work that can be simultaneously enjoyed by those inside and others driving by. “I love working with my hands, and I love creating. Plus, I’m very inspired by glass,” Leighton said. “It looks a certain way on a table then you lift it up and it’s entirely diﬀerent. There’s a magic to glass.”

“A lot of my designs are influenced by my photography background as far as composition, shapes, and color,” Leighton said. “Abstract is my go-to. When clients say, ‘I have no idea what I want,’ that’s when I get to really have fun.” Several of Leighton's pieces are showcased in Andrea Zink’s 111-year-old Dundee home. The minute someone steps inside, they’re greeted with the color and character of Leighton’s work. It’s in the entryway, the living room, the dining room, and even the bathroom. Zink can’t seem to get enough.

STORY BY SEAN ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

Displayed on the shower wall is a Leighton original featuring flowing shapes pieced together to mimic the look of a rushing waterfall.

Before glass was her muse, there was photography. Leighton called the dark room at Central High School her second home as a teenager, spending hours developing photos for the yearbook and newspaper.

“When she created that waterfall, that was all her design.” Zink said. “Valerie just nailed it.”

“I wanted to be a photographer for as long as I can remember,” Leighton said. “I thrived in the dark room experience, but then everything went digital. I just didn’t transition well.” It wasn’t until she relocated to Tucson, Arizona, after graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in anthropology that she was once again bitten by the creative bug. There she discovered stained glass.

VALERIE LEIGHTON TURNS WINDOWS INTO WORKS OF ART

While working as a receptionist for a custom homebuilder, Leighton took a stained-glass art class in a funky little studio she would drive by on her commute. Harkening back to her days snapping and shooting, she finally got to work with her hands again. Almost instantly, she was hooked. “I started doing it as a hobby at my kitchen table. Turns out, that’s the worst place to make stained glass. You know, because of lead exposure in the paint,” Leighton said. “We didn’t think of things like that back then. But I knew this was something I was passionate about…something where I could make beautiful things.” When she moved back to Omaha in 1996, Leighton had a business plan and was honing her craft through workshops, stained glass conferences, and self-training. Her company, // 18 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

“Valerie pays attention to detail and tries to fit [each] piece to where it’s going to live,” Zink said. “She’s got an incredible eye for what she’s doing. Her heart is just totally in this.”

Painted Light Stained Glass, first operated out of her bedroom and has since flourished in Hot Shops. Though she’s decades away from her days in the Central High dark room, her first creative love is still represented in today’s work.

“I LOVE WORKING WITH MY HANDS, AND I LOVE CREATING. PLUS, I’M VERY INSPIRED BY GLASS. IT LOOKS A CERTAIN WAY ON A TABLE THEN YOU LIFT IT UP AND IT’S ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. THERE’S A MAGIC TO GLASS.” -VALERIE LEIGHTON

Leighton now handles one to two commissions per month, mostly residential. The labor-intensive process to create each custom stainedglass window totals about 30 hours. There’s meeting with the client, drafting a design, editing it to full size, cutting glass, puzzling it together, soldering, cementing, and painting. However, not everything she makes starts from scratch. Leighton also handles repairs.

“Stained glass is often very personal to the client—those projects especially,” Leighton said. “I’ll have people bring in a window their grandfather made years ago that suddenly shattered. To be able to bring that back to life for them, that feeling is why I do what I do.” While Leighton always finds opportunities to evolve as an artist—more recently, she also began operating a studio out of a barn in Oregon—her people-focused approach is as permanent as the paint she uses. “I want to bring joy to others with my work,” Leighton said. “I don’t want to overcomplicate things or try to make some grand statement. It’s more about the beauty of it and creating something that makes others happy.” Visit paintedlightglass.com for more information.

A+C VISUAL

A+C AUTHOR STORY BY KIM CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

N E B R A S K A

L E E ’ S A pandemic causes global sickness and mass death with rapid tests administered to find out who’s infected. Power grid failures put scores of people at risk and plunge the country into chaos. That’s the basis for Tosca Lee’s bestselling The Line Between duology. It sounds like the Nebraska-based author was piggybacking oﬀ the COVID-19 pandemic, however, she published the first book in 2019, when most would have found the plot far-fetched. But Lee, born in Roanoke, Virginia, and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, has always had a vivid imagination, and it’s something that’s launched her to the New York Times bestseller list. From the biblically based Iscariot to thrillers such as Forbidden, Lee writes gripping books that have cultivated a loyal fanbase. Named after the Puccini opera by her father, Sang Lee, an opera-loving emeritus business professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lee, 51, has a rich background. She’s a classically trained pianist and ballet dancer, and almost became a ballerina until injury sidelined her. She then went to Smith College and studied economics at Oxford University. Reading, though, was always her first love. She adored getting lost in books like The Mists of Avalon. Lee often compares novels to roller coasters, and said a conversation with her father changed her career trajectory. In summer 1989, she was supposed to start working as a bank teller. Talking to her father about how great novels were like roller coasters with their twists and turns, she said. “I think I’d like to write one. Maybe I could build a roller coaster for someone else to enjoy.” Her father made her a deal: if she treated writing a book like a full-time job, he would pay her the same amount she would have made at the bank.

A U T H O R

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Lee jumped at the chance and wrote her first novel, which was immediately rejected by literary agents. One labeled it “strangely reminiscent of The Clan of the Cave Bear,” a comparison that thrilled her. “I failed miserably,” she laughed. “That book will never see the light of day, but the only way to learn something is to do it.” She kept learning. After graduating from college, she wrote for SmartComputing magazine, co-authored two computer books, and did other freelancing. She worked on another novel for nine years, although she never finished it. She also took an unexpected detour. During her first marriage in the 1990s, she competed on the beauty pageant circuit. She became Mrs. Nebraska America in 1996 and Mrs. Nebraska United States—and the first runner-up to Mrs. United States—in 1998. “It was a really cool experience,” she said. “I learned so much.” Around the same time, she got the idea for the book that launched her career: Demon, the story of a fallen angel, which was published in 2007. “I was driving on long straight roads where your mind just wanders. ‘What would it be like to tell your story as a demon?’ I ended up writing it in about six weeks, mostly in a notebook, but it took six years to find a publisher.” She spent that time continuing to write while working as a senior consultant at Gallup, where she conducted workshops and speaking engagements from 2003 to 2011. The job involved a great deal of travel, which meant ample time for writing. Since that first book, she’s written 10 more and is currently working on her 12th. Lee has also had time to focus on her personal life. She divorced her first husband in 2006 and didn’t plan on remarrying. Then she met Bryan Ritthaler, a farmer south of Fremont, in 2013. She saw him while at a restaurant with a friend and slipped him her business card. “He was NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 21 //

the most handsome man I had ever seen, and I thought it was the dumbest plan I’d ever had. He asked, ‘Is this how people are dating now?’” Her “dumb” plan worked. They married three years later, and Lee is now stepmother to three sons and a daughter. Her new life isn’t slowing her down. Several of her books have been optioned for television and films. “It’s a little weird,” Lee confessed. Michael Napoliello, a producer with Radar Pictures, is excited to showcase Lee’s work. “She reminds me of authors of previous centuries. It’s heady stuﬀ and heads and heels above other books.” Radar is currently working on the TV pilot script for Lee's The Progeny, with two other books deep in development. Napoliello feels they tap into the current zeitgeist. “Tosca writes incredible characters on a hero’s journey set in a world rich in history and detail.” Fellow writer Nicole Baart, author of Little Broken Things, first met Lee about 14 years ago at a book expo. She said she understands why the author is enjoying such success. “Tosca is brilliant and writes breathtaking prose. She has snappy, exciting plots that are just riveting,” Baart said. “I’d have to hate her a little if I didn’t love her so much.” Baart added that even though Lee is established as a writer, readers can expect more great works. “I don’t know how she’ll top her last one, but she always does. Tosca is a classic—and she’s someone to watch.” Lee was flattered. “I’ve been really fortunate. I’m incredibly grateful I get to do this for a living.” For more information about Lee and her books, visit toscalee.com.

“The best are when we start in front of a group that is part apathetic and part confused and end with an audience having a great time with us. I am proud to say that happens a lot.” -Monty Eich

A†C entertainment story by Greg Jerrett photography by bill sitzmann design by Derek Joy

9 7 ' e c in S s e a N m g in Ta m provising & k I When one thinks of improv comedy, cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and even

Toronto spring to mind. But Omaha has long been the home base of one of the most popular ad-lib comedy troupes in the Great Plains—The Weisenheimers. Since 1997, The Weisenheimers have performed for diﬀerent audiences from the schoolhouse to the conference center, from the Omaha Community Playhouse to the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, where they have garnered five awards for their comedic stylings. The Weisenheimers were “born from the ashes of a teen improv group,” according to founding Weisenheimer and group historian Monty Eich. College friends Eich, Matt Geiler (featured on America’s Got Talent Season 12), Marv Pratt, and Jen Smedley (co-creator of #imomsohard) decided 27 years ago to bring their mercurial, short-form improv to Omaha. They soon went from doing primarily festivals and clubs in Omaha to performing at corporate and private gigs from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. They became road warriors early on, traveling in their minivan, The Weisenmobile, advertising “Improv Comedy for Hire” on the side. Eich said the best shows are the ones where they come out for an association gathering, a company holiday party, or a high school after-prom shindig, and exceed expectations. “The best are when we start in front of a group that is part apathetic and part confused and end with an audience having a great time with us,” Eich said. “I am proud to say that happens a lot.” Traveling to perform for everyone from those wearing suits and ties to those wearing jeans and cowboy boots makes for some odd moments, and the moments of eccentricity are what stand out. “When the group was young we got booked in a saloon in Rickets, Iowa,” Eich said. “It was an unmarked bowling alley that had flooded and should have been condemned, but a former rodeo clown bought it. Our stage consisted of three oak doors duct-taped together on cinder blocks that some dancers had used the night before. At the end of the night, the owner/ clown paid us damp cash out of a hole in the drywall he used as his safe in the office.” In another case, it turned out these improv players were not the only spontaneous ones. “We did a show once in Alliance, Nebraska, for a bank,” Eich said. “Turns out the president and pillar of the community had died a few weeks before.

« from left, Cullen Chollett, Monty Eich, and Theresa Sindelar

The new president gave a very moving and emotional eulogy, he was almost in tears. He ended his tribute by thanking the deceased man’s wife and children, promising to continue the man’s life’s work and, without any pause, introducing ‘the comedy act from Omaha.’ I am not sure who was more surprised, the audience, the widow, or us.” Fortunately, the comedians are well-trained at speaking oﬀ-the-cuﬀ. Eich learned unscripted comedy from watching it on various popular programs in his formative years and joined a teen improv troupe at 16, but he admits he never really studied acting or improv until much later in life. “I had heard about improv through interviews of Saturday Night Live cast members, Second City, and The Firesign Theatre,” said Eich, adding that the improv of Whose Line is it Anyway? was a better fit for his live-in-the-now philosophy. “I’m more of a wing-it than plan-it person.” While Eich has been doing improv ever since, he only just took his fi rst formal training in the art of improvisational comedy last year in San Jose, where he now works as a voice designer for an online bookstore that he prefers remain nameless. Eich describes these performances as an exchange of energy between the audience and comedians. “When you’re performing and making the audience laugh, it’s about energy,” Eich said. “I’m getting emotion back and forth, but it is not necessarily a conversation. And this may sound weird, but I love my audiences and I can get very vulnerable on stage. I express things about me and some sides about me.” In 2005, Smedley left the group when she moved to Los Angeles. Actress Theresa Sindelar started fi lling in from time to time, becoming a full member in 2008.

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Sindelar grew up in the Omaha metro area. Her road to ad-lib began in her high school drama department.

“I remember in drama having substitutes and they would do improv games,” said Sindelar, who was also inspired by Whose Line and Second City comedians Colin Machrie and Ryan Stiles. “Improv was such a natural fit. I loved it.” In 2008, Pratt moved to Austin, Texas. Geiler, known also as The Dancing Pumpkin Man from his video that went viral, left for Los Angeles that same year, making way for current member Cullen Chollett. Chollet recalled that he developed a taste for spontaneity in speech class in Underwood, Iowa. “Julie Larson, my high school speech teacher, asked me to compete in the improv category for speech competition my sophomore year. I did it, and I was hooked,” Chollett said. “I ended up going to the All-State Speech Competition in Des Moines my senior year.” Sindelar, Chollett, and Eich enjoy bringing laughter to the Midwest. Naturally, the COVID-19 outbreak put the kibosh on public performances for a while. The Weisenheimers powered through, shifting their focus toward their online performances via weisenheimers.com, their Facebook page, and their podcast It Could Be Worse. Eich confi rmed they will be returning to the stage at Omaha Community Playhouse in November. For more information visit weisenheimers.com.

“Our stage consisted of three oak doors duct taped together on cinder blocks that some dancers had used the night before. At the end of night, the owner/ clown paid us damp cash out of a hole in the drywall he used as his safe in the office.” -Monty Eich

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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GEN O // STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

NIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA CHILD DEVELOPMENT MAJOR MEGAN STACKHOUSE HAS A KIND FACE AND PLEASANT DEMEANOR THAT WOULD MAKE A YOUNGSTER OR AN ANXIOUS PARENT FEEL AT EASE.

SHE’S ALSO EXTRAORDINARILY COMPETITIVE AND AN AGGRESSIVE —EVEN RELENTLESS—OPPONENT. “I’ve been told I’m a different person on the court, that I’m the polar opposite of who I am off the court,” said Stackhouse, the only female player on UNO’s wheelchair basketball team. “I got a technical foul, six years old, my first tournament.” In her defense, that technical foul came after someone grabbed the youngster’s wheelchair and she slapped their hand in response. As amusing as the anecdote seems now, Stackhouse said, it was a hint of her on-court persona to come; when she is in uniform, something changes. UNO coach Mike Kult has called Stackhouse a ‘silent assassin.’ But that is praising her team-first attitude, referring to her ability to offensively block on the side of or behind a defender in order to free a teammate to take a shot or receive a pass. It’s known as ‘setting the pick’ and Stackhouse can do this without the other defender realizing it is coming. “In wheelchair basketball, setting picks is extremely important, and Megan excels in setting picks,” Kult said. “Picks will often allow one of her teammates to get open for an open or better shot.” Stackhouse was introduced to wheelchair basketball after her father saw a television news segment about the sport and took his young daughter to watch a tournament at UNO. Instantly captivated, she ended up playing over the next 13 years for the Nebraska Red Dawgs, a Nebraska Adaptive Sports team that participates in the youth division of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.

Basketball, however, continues to be her top choice as a sport. “Basketball is just a blast to play,” Stackhouse said. “I’ve been playing for 16 years now. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else, ever, if I had the choice to switch.” As a student at Millard North, Stackhouse served as a manager for the girls’ varsity basketball team.

Stackhouse made the basketball team at UNO as a freshman and started that first year. She’s relatively petite and sits lower in her chair than her male opponents, which means, as she puts it: “I’m sneaky on the court.” Getting up at 4 a.m. to make daily practices and spending hours in the weight room is only part of the effort she’s put forth, Stackhouse said.

“I started working out with them, as well as running clocks, and helping the other managers fill up waters, and pick up balls, and help out with drills. I did that my junior and senior year, and we went to state both times,” she said. “One week I took in five or six chairs and the players got in the chairs. They were like, ‘How do you do this every day?’ They had so much fun with that.”

“I had to fight, and fight hard, to prove to others and myself that I could be one of the boys and one of the top dogs on the court,” she recalled. Kult, who knew her from her time with the Red Dawgs, had confidence in her potential.

It was a precursor to a presentation she made a few years later. Cheri Dickmeyer, founder and executive director of FITGirl Inc. (an organization that focuses on fitness and empowerment for girls), invited Stackhouse to bring her “powerful message” to FITGirl participants last summer.

“Megan is coachable and willing to go the extra mile. When she first joined the team, she had trouble making shots and her endurance was suspect. But because of hard work and willingness to work with our strength coach, by lifting weights and conditioning she has improved more than anyone else on the team,” he said. “She is a great example how putting in the work on and off the court does pay off.” Stackhouse’s parents, Chadd and Laurie Stackhouse, said their daughter has always been active. She participated in programs at HETR A (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy), which provided some physical and occupational therapy for many years; played wheelchair softball with the Nebraska Junior Barons for several seasons; and attended CHI Health’s Junior Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Camp in the summers, which introduced her to sports and adaptive activities, from archery to water-skiing.

“I try to bring these incredibly strong-willed, amazing women like Megan to the program, [women] who can inspire these young girls to go out there and be themselves—face adversity and not give up—and to do what they need to do to follow their dreams,” Dickmeyer said. “I told them my story about how I got into basketball and I informed them that a girl can kick butt on a men’s team,” Stackhouse said. Aided by the Stackhouse family, FITGirl also brought in some sport wheelchairs so Stackhouse could teach the girls to maneuver through basketball drills. School is her first priority for now, Stackhouse said, but she’s ready for that next challenge, which may be the Paralympics Games. “I’ve been told I have Team USA potential,” she said. Visit UNOmaha.edu for more information.

“I’VE BEEN TOLD I’M A DIFFERENT PERSON ON THE COURT, THAT I’M THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF WHO I AM OFF THE COURT.”

-Megan Stackhouse // 26 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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FROM

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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2021

// FEATURE // STORY BY DOUG MEIGS

Robert Nelson andthe Phoenix Developer-Turned-Governor and

ConviCted Pardoned Felon

he story of the phoenix is one of rebirth. A mythical creature self-destructs in a f laming blaze. Then it rises from the ashes. The immortal mythology resurrects again and again in literature, from ancient civilization into the modern-day. Add to that symbolic tradition the new biography of John Fife Symington III: Old Money, New West: Fife Symington and the Uniquely American Landscapes That Made Him, Broke Him, and Made Him Anew, written by Robert Nelson and Dr. Jack L. August. Symington was a Phoenix real estate developer turned-neoconservative luminary whose bright political career collapsed under federal prosecution. The second-term governor of Arizona resigned and packed for prison before a federal court of appeals overturned his convictions. Even so, the possibility for ambitious attorneys to refile charges against the wealthy Symington remained—until the waning hours of Bill Clinton’s final day in the Oval Office, when a rare “preemptive” presidential pardon spared Symington from another criminal trial and risk of hard time. Nelson, a former Omaha Magazine editor and Omaha World-Herald columnist, coauthored the expansive 488-page book with August, a prolific biographer of influential Arizonans. August was the Arizona State Historian and worked at the Arizona Capitol Museum when he died in 2017. A few years earlier, the historian convinced Symington to cooperate on the biography project. August also discovered a treasure trove of his gubernatorial records, lost for 20 years in the commotion of Symington’s hasty resignation from office. Nelson took over the book after August’s death. It was an intense research effort for both men. Independently, they each spent hundreds of hours combing through archival records and conducting interviews with Symington and contemporaries. Nelson revised August’s first-draft chapters on family genealogy, and he expanded the project into a 42-chapter narrative from his current residence in the rural outskirts of Washington, D.C., with frequent work trips to Phoenix—on top of regular visits back to see family in Nebraska. The biography covers Symington’s ancestral lineage up to the present day. The great-grandson of robber baron steel magnate Henry Clay Frick grew up in a wealthy Maryland family. His father was U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago during the presidency of Richard Nixon, and his cousin was a U.S. Senator from Missouri. Arizona senator and presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (considered the “ideological godfather of the modern Republican Party”) was a close family friend.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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2021

child of East Coast privilege, Symington graduated from Harvard with a degree in Dutch art history. He received the Bronze Star in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, then reinvented himself as a hotshot commercial real estate developer in Phoenix during the booming 1980s—before the market collapsed with the Savings and Loan Crisis. In the 1990s, he ventured into politics. Symington became a conservative iconoclast advocating for government to be run like a business. As governor, he not only balanced the state’s budget but created a surplus. In the process, Symington gained nationwide prominence. That’s when errors of bookkeeping from his real estate career—or defrauding investors, depending on your legal perspective—came back to haunt him.

In 1996, Symington faced 21 federal charges of extortion, making false financial statements, and bank fraud. Was he really guilty of all seven convicted counts of bank fraud (overturned on appeal)? Or was he a scapegoat for deeper systemic problems in federal regulation of thrift banking institutions? Symington always pled innocence, and in cases of uncertainty, the authors let facts speak for themselves. Former President Bill Clinton read the entire book in final-proof stage over a single weekend as the manuscript approached a September printing deadline with Texas Christian University Press. Clinton had already written one introduction for the manuscript several months prior, but he scrapped it for a new draft days before the press run. The final draft detailed how he met Symington in college. They became friends despite religious, political, and socioeconomic differences: “In today’s culture, where disagreement so often seems to require personal disapproval and distancing, we might not have gotten to know each other. But I liked him. He was neither affected nor arrogant, and seemed as curious about my life as I was about his,” Clinton wrote. In their next encounter, Symington saved Clinton’s life. He jumped into the Nantucket Sound to rescue the future president from drowning in a riptide. Their years in political office later overlapped, and they had amicable interactions despite widely divergent political beliefs. “I’m sure more than one Republican told him he should have let me drown. I used to kid him about it, too,” Clinton wrote in the book’s introduction. “When Fife’s legal troubles derailed his life and led to the loss of the governorship, he applied for a pardon and I decided to grant it. Not because of the long-ago rescue, but because the court of appeals had reversed his conviction due to the improper dismissal of a juror.” In a Sept. 5 text message to Nelson, Clinton described the book as “a master class in old fashioned journalism, stating the facts as you know them without resorting to the clickbait of shooting the wounded while presuming moral superiority.” Along with Clinton and Goldwater, there are several high-profile cameos in the book’s pages. Cult filmmaker John Waters of Pink Flamingos fame was a childhood friend in Maryland, and self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” Roger Stone schemed against Symington’s first foray into gubernatorial politics. Three decades later, Stone—who has President Nixon’s smiling face tattooed on his upper back—was convicted of obstruction, making false statements, and witness tampering during Donald Trump’s impeachment investigation. President Trump issued a full pardon of Stone before leaving office in 2020. As a work of modern political scholarship, Symington’s biography offers key insights to the Republican Party’s transformation during the Gingrich Revolution of 1994. The historic midterm election year saw Republicans gain majority control of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, state legislatures, and state governorships—that included Symington, who succeeded as incumbent to his second term as Republican governor of Arizona.

IN 1996, SYMINGTON FACED 21 FEDERAL CHARGES ... WAS HE REALLY GUILTY OF ALL SEVEN CONVICTED COUNTS ... OR WAS HE A SCAPEGOAT FOR DEEPER SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN FEDERAL REGULATION OF THRIFT BANKING INSTITUTIONS? // 30 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

IN THEIR NEXT ENCOUNTER, SYMINGTON SAVED CLINTON’S LIFE. HE JUMPED INTO THE NANTUCKET SOUND TO RESCUE THE FUTURE PRESIDENT FROM DROWNING IN A RIPTIDE. Symington’s fall from grace and personal recovery follows a story arc similar to Nelson’s own struggles. Rather than legal or financial trouble, however, the Nebraskan writer fell into a downward spiral of worsening health: chronic pain, depression, a crippling stroke, and alcoholism. “It felt like I was broken in most every way you can be broken,” Nelson said, speaking via Zoom video call from his home office in northern Virginia. “At the bottom there, about a decade ago, I was pretty sure I’d never write a coherent sentence again, let alone some big-ass book.” The walls surrounding his desk look like a weird autobiographical assemblage. There is a black custom-made guitar from Vietnam with Abraham Lincoln’s face; a funky portrait of Nelson painted by a Bulgarian artist; an original cartoon by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening; a certificate confirming his status as Admiral in the Great Navy of Nebraska; a University of Kentucky baseball calendar featuring his oldest son on the pitcher’s mound; and a cover proof of Symington’s biography. If he has lingering brain damage—and he has seen the post-stroke MRI scans that offer proof—it doesn’t show in conversation. He talks fast with characteristic wit and often-deviant humor that longtime Omaha readers would recall from his award-winning newspaper columns in the WorldHerald, published between 2007 and 2012. No overt references to mythical phoenixes appear in Symington’s biography—aside from the eponymous Arizona city where much of the book takes place. As a matter of historical fact, American settlers developed the modern metropolis over abandoned

FEATURE // UP FROM THE FIRE remnants of the ancient indigenous Hohokam civilization, which had long before used the Salt River to irrigate the valley around 300-1500 A.D. Symington’s real estate career contributed landmark structures to the city, with the luxurious Camelback Esplanade a prime example. The development went on the market as the Savings and Loan Crisis collapsed rental rates, leading to millions of dollars lost (contributing to the governor’s later legal woes).

Returning to Omaha initiated a hard lesson: Be careful what you wish for. “As a kid in Falls City who used to deliver the World-Herald, I read the paper’s columns, and to be seen like that, to be a columnist for the biggest paper in the state seemed like the coolest job. And it really was the ideal job, half of the time. The other half of the job drove me literally nuts,” he said.

A true journalist, Nelson doesn’t interject his personal narrative in the book. In fact, he has never written about the circumstances surrounding the end of his thrice-weekly World-Herald column. It remains a tender subject in his memory. But he did discuss personal struggles with Symington over the course of their interviews. “We talked about issues of overcoming adversity and, maybe more important, powering through times of adversity,” Nelson said. “I crumbled in self-pity when faced with a portion of the troubles he waltzed through. I’m much, much more of a chin-up, grind-it-out tough guy now.”

His critical gaze turned inward to churn out first-person columns, hindered by an increasing dependence on alcohol (alcoholism runs in his family) compounded by worsening pain and depression. The newspaper’s circulation was plummeting. His online trolls seemed to be getting meaner, and he was getting angrier and more defensive.

Nelson grew up in the southeast Nebraska town of Falls City, which his firebrand abolitionist great-great-great-grandparents helped to establish in 1857 amid the chaotic days of Bleeding Kansas. “It’s surely a fantasy, but I’d like to imagine I’m channeling their fight-the-good-fight attitude with some of the rougher stories I’ve written over the years,” he said.

World-Herald reporter Bob Glissmann edited his column. The two maintained regular contact and friendship over the years. Glissmann did not see Nelson’s time as columnist as any sort of steep decline, professionally or personally. “He always was highly productive, creative, and easy to work with,” Glissmann recalled via email with Omaha Magazine. “Maybe I was oblivious, or maybe I didn’t know him all that well, but I don’t see his trajectory as up then way down then up again. He obviously has had struggles, but from what I can tell, he always has been able to do the work.”

“PHOENIX WAS A MAGNET FOR THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO DANCE AROUND THE LAW—OR MAYBE EXPLOIT LOOSE REGULATIONS— AND SEEMED LIKE A GOOD PLACE TO DO JOURNALISM.” —BOB NELSON A summer job at the Falls City Journal inspired Nelson’s undergrad studies. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism in 1991, then he took a writing job at the El Paso Times. He married wife Denise in Texas, where they had the first of three sons. Their growing family moved back to Nebraska for his first stint at the World-Herald on the features desk (19942000), before they relocated to Arizona for a long-form features job at Phoenix New Times. Nelson had family living in Phoenix, and he had been watching the news there with fascination for years. “The governor had been indicted, there is a crazy sheriff running Maricopa County, and the smarmiest real estate people I knew from Omaha had moved down there,” he said. “Phoenix was a magnet for the type of people who wanted to dance around the law—or maybe exploit loose regulations—and seemed like a good place to do journalism.” He dove headlong into muckraking features: for example, an exposé on the Phoenix Diocese’s protection of pedophile priests. Nelson also started connecting the dots between the abolitionist history of his native southeast Nebraska and early Arizona statehood. August, the state historian and future collaborator, became a go-to source. A few years later, August connected Nelson with Arcadia Publishing to write Early Yuma in 2006. It was Nelson’s first book. The next year, the World-Herald came calling with a columnist job offer and a promise to put his face on a billboard. Nelson’s ego answered, to the dismay of his wife and kids. They did not want to move. Even so, their Phoenix home sold as the real estate market collapsed with the subprime mortgage crisis. Nelson appeared on billboards over Dodge Street and Interstate 80, on newspaper delivery trucks, and other promo ads.

The current World-Herald staffer fondly recalled classic Nelson columns like his skewering of Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting attendees, or his critique of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton as “an awful human being and arguably the worst inf luence on the soul of this state in our history” more than a decade before the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Congress removed its statue of the famously racist Nebraskan. “All you had to do was plant a seed and he would water and tend to the plant and harvest it. On deadline. And he came up with plenty of good ideas on his own,” Glissmann wrote. At the time, Nelson tried to keep his problems private. Chronic pain led to major spinal surgery in 2011 with the fusing of his C5-C7 vertebrae. All of his joints were swollen a month later. “The pain was pushing unbearable,” he said. “I was struggling to walk. There was burning in my fingers, wrists, elbows, spine, knees, and ankles.” Then came a diagnosis of severe Lofgren’s syndrome, which may or may not have been accurate. “I was taking large doses of medicines on top of Percocet. By the winter of 2012, I was sometimes drinking a fifth of vodka a day.” Then came a stroke. It partially incapacitated his left side. Nelson said he struggled to read even simple sentences; memory went from bad to horrible; he developed a heavy stutter. Only Denise knew the full extent of his health problems. When Nelson finally went to a neurologist, tests showed significant cognitive impairment. “Writing the column became nearly impossible,” he said.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

FEATURE // UP FROM THE FIRE

elson got in a fight with newsroom leadership, quit, and started driving to Arizona. He changed course and withdrew his resignation. Back in Omaha, he walked into a local treatment center to seek help. Without his permission, someone from the center called a friend at the newspaper to share the gossip—a likely HIPAA violation. Rumors spread up to World-Herald management, who then confronted Nelson. Furious at the invasion of privacy, he hung up the phone. Vacation leave became short-term disability, which turned into long-term disability. Already separated on-and-off from his wife, he stayed with friends for weeks and months at a time. After wearing out his welcome, he camped in his car. Anti-depression and anxiety meds only went so far. He went to a friend’s ranch in Colorado to chop down trees killed by pine beetles and “drank the whole time.” Upon returning to Nebraska, he moved into a friend’s cabin near Fremont. An extended binge followed, and the memories go fuzzy.

“I had passed out in my car one afternoon in late April,” Nelson said. “A deputy knocked on the window, and I end up with a DUI because my keys were within reach. After spending the night in a Saunders County jail in Wahoo, Denise bailed me out. I didn’t think she would. It was a big enough shock to get me to fight the alcoholism. My brother drove me up to the Valley Hope facility in O’Neill the following Monday. Was there for a month. It was as awful as it was transformative.” Nelson began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, even serving on a district board. “I went from the Rotary circuit to the AA circuit,” he said with a laugh. He started exercising more, coaching baseball again, healing with his family. The mental fog began to clear. Sober a few years, he got off disability and started pursuing a teaching degree. That’s when he noticed a managing editor job opening at Omaha Magazine. So, he called up publisher Todd Lemke. “He was very up front about his past problems,” Lemke said, recalling Nelson’s job application. “He promised that it was behind him and he was looking forward to continuing his passion for journalism.” The publisher had enjoyed reading Nelson’s newspaper column and was unaware of the circumstances surrounding his departure. “It took me aback. I thought about it, then gave him a call to say let’s give it a try.”

HE STARTED EXERCISING MORE, COACHING BASEBALL AGAIN, HEALING WITH HIS FAMILY. THE MENTAL FOG BEGAN TO CLEAR. SOBER A FEW YEARS, HE GOT OFF DISABILITY AND STARTED PURSUING A TEACHING DEGREE. After two years and a slew of awards from the Great Plains Journalism Awards, Nelson left the magazine in 2015 (though he briefly returned as the interim executive editor during a 2016 editorial leadership transition). Lemke and team were sad to see him go. But his wife, Denise, had a once-in-a-lifetime job promotion in the National Park Service. “Guarding more than 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail for Americans was something she couldn’t pass up,” Nelson said. “And she had suffered so much with me, honestly, moving three times. It was her turn.” Their youngest was in eighth grade, their middle child was studying engineering in college, and their oldest was playing NCAA Division I baseball. Nelson started writing for Virginia Living Magazine, and he launched a new publishing company, Legacy West Publishing (unrelated to the Symington biography), with his longtime Arizona history collaborator, August. “I became Mr. Mom” and loved every minute of it, he said. Then his autoimmune dysfunction resurrected. Joint swelling returned. He had to sleep sitting up or his hands would go numb and start burning. A new diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis. Self-medication with alcohol was not part of treatment this time. New meds and a strict exercise regimen facilitated a return to normalcy. On top of daily weight-lifting, he volunteered axe-swinging muscle to clearing fallen trees from the Appalachian Trail near their home. “I have to exercise now. Otherwise, it is too painful to write,” he said.

Photos from his personal Facebook feed reveal chiseled shoulders, pecs, and biceps on his lean 50-something-year-old frame. Yet he jokes about his “misshapen body” with self-deprecating modesty, attributing the veins bulging from his muscles to prescribed prednisone. After settling into his new routine, Nelson received a phone call from August. The historian was struggling with several major projects, including the Symington biography (financed by the Southwest Center for History and Public Policy, a nonprofit that August had established with an independent board and rigorous peer-review protocols). Nelson started flying out to Phoenix to assist. He soon noticed his brilliant friend and mentor seemed to be drinking more than in years past. On a few occasions, Nelson discussed his own battle with alcohol; the sober writer still regrets not suggesting his former drinking buddy seek help. In early 2017, Nelson received a call from a mutual friend: August had passed away due to liver failure. August’s wife and the nonprofit center’s board of directors knew of Nelson working with the historian. They hired him to complete the mostly unwritten Symington biography. Nelson proposed coauthorship for the book’s cover and will split royalties with August’s widow. In the finished book, Symington’s post-pardon rehabilitation features an admission to witnessing the UFO event known as the Phoenix Lights. There is also Symington’s rebirth as an acclaimed pastry chef and culinary entrepreneur (with his baked goods on sale in the luxurious Camelback Esplanade, a development so prominent in his misfortunes). More recently, there is also the irony of a famously tough-on-crime governor (who once threatened to overturn a successful voter petition approving the legalization of medical marijuana) becoming a major investor in his son’s industrial-scale marijuana farm. Nelson finished writing the book amid the pandemic. Symington caught COVID-19 and recovered. The immunocompromised Nelson was quick to be vaccinated. But that didn’t stop pandemic closure of the Phoenix archive where the writer made a last-minute trip to gather photos for publication. What was Symington’s feedback on the book? Defensive at first. But he called in early September before heading on a trip to Alaska to voice a more favorable opinion. “He was feeling pretty beat up when we walked through it the first time,” Nelson said. “[Symington] really did come to terms with the idea that once I’m detailing his time in the public sphere, his detractors needed equal time to present their counter arguments.” continued on pg. 53 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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ADVENTURE // STORY BY HANNAH HESER

F lying High for Scholastics AMBER JOHNSON’S INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Amber Johnson vividly remembers f lying alone as a teenager to visit extended family in Arizona. She had visited the state before, but always with immediate family members. “Johnson definitely has an adventurous spirit for traveling,” said Emily Krueger, her academic adviser at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This adventurous spirit came alive during Johnson’s years at UNO. “I just really wanted to see somewhere else in the world,” she said. That somewhere ended up being 23 countries. Of the eight semesters she was enrolled in UNO’s international studies program, she spent most of them abroad. “One of my favorite countries I have traveled to was Ljubljana, Slovenia, because it was the first country I studied abroad in,” Johnson said. It was an adventure that was assisted by the Benjamin A. Gilman and the UNO Mal and Millie Hansen Award scholarships. “I needed a country where I could find an affordable cost of living, one that was an official UNO partner university, and I was intrigued by countries off the beaten path,” Johnson said. “A fellow UNO student shared about their time in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and it seemed perfect.”

“I’ve really enjoyed helping students put all of the pieces together for studying abroad, such as finances, figuring out where they want to go, what classes they will take, etc.,” said Krueger, who herself traveled to Russia for 10 days as a UNO student. That helped Johnson a lot, especially as she was also trying to find accommodations while in different countries.

“The scariest part of traveling to a new place is figuring out housing,” Johnson said. “It is a difficult task to do on your own because you’re going to meet some people who are willing to help and some people who do not care.” Once she got that figured out, Johnson was ready to explore. “My favorite part was finding new cafes around each town and go from there,” she said. In fall 2017, she studied at the University of Tartu in Estonia, aided by the UNO International Studies Outstanding Senior Nancy Keegan Miller Memorial Scholarship. Her final year as an undergraduate was spent in an intensive language program in the city of Qingdao, China, on a full-ride scholarship. She was in this city for a full year, taking classes taught in Chinese for six hours a day. “I remember a few sentences that will allow me to get around and do stuff; however, I would like to continue working on it, and hopefully I will again soon.”

UNO partner universities provide reciprocal exchange opportunities in which a student can travel to another country and pay UNO tuition.

Being in this area of the world enabled her to travel through China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea during 2019 Lunar New Year holidays.

As she was already in Europe, Johnson took advantage of the close proximity of other countries and toured the Balkans, including Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia. She went backpacking with two friends, specifically targeting countries in the Balkans and Western Europe. She also visited Albania, Montenegro, and Spain.

She isn’t done yet. Johnson won a full-ride Erasmus Mundus scholarship in order to continue traveling while studying for a European Masters in Tourism Management program. This program is offered in three European countries: Denmark, Slovenia, and Spain. This Masters Program focused more on sustainability.

Having enjoyed Ljubljana, Slovenia, Johnson came back to UNO before taking off again in summer 2017, this time as a cultural ambassador with the Taiwan U.S. Alliance Global Ambassador Program. She especially enjoyed experiencing things in a non-European culture. “I loved how there were so many modern buildings that had skyscrapers and old temples,” Johnson said. “It had a very modern, yet ancient vibe; the food was amazing; and the people were very friendly. My level of Chinese when I went to Taiwan was very low, but I got to learn it more throughout my journey there.” This pattern continued throughout her undergraduate career. She was so committed to spending as much time as possible studying abroad that she carefully researched scholarship opportunities, often filling out forms while living in other countries. “What helps with this is her ability to plan and put in a lot of extra time to make sure she understands exactly where she is going,” Krueger said. It’s a journey in which Krueger was glad to assist, stating that she liked watching Johnson dive into the local culture of each country she was interested in.

Johnson completed her first of her two years in this program this spring. According to the eacea.ec.europa.eu website, “an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is a prestigious, integrated, International study program that is delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions. Students at master’s level from all over the world are able to apply for this program.” After Johnson completes the master’s program, she hopes to start a career in destination management or heritage. “Right now I am very interested in doing a lot of work in courses related to destination management. It’s looking at the organizations that focus on branding or marketing with other local enterprises to get people to travel to a certain destination,” she said. Visit unomaha.edu for more information on their travel abroad programs.

I JUST REALLY WANTED TO SEE SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. THAT SOME WHERE ENDED UP BEING 2 3 COUNTRIE S . -Amber Johnson NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

Stewart Giddings is the operations director at YouTurn Omaha.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

BETTER CHOICES REDEMPTION LEAD TO AFTER THE BETTER Gang DAYS Life

FEATURE // STORY BY J.D. AVANT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

HE STREETS OF OMAHA ARE NO STR ANGER TO GANG C U LT U R E . T H ROUG HOU T THE ’80S AND ’90S, THE CITY WA S O N E OF M A N Y M I DW E S T LOC AT IONS SU BJEC T ED TO A N UNEX PECTED INFLUX OF MIGR A NT G A NG M E M BE R S F ROM PL AC E S LIK E CA LIFOR NI A A ND CHICAGO. THEIR INFLUENCE WAS SO POTENT T H AT M A N Y R E SIDE N TS DON’T REMEMBER A TIME WHEN MONIKERS SUCH A S BLOODS, CR IPS, A ND GANGSTER DISCIPLES WERE ONLY HEARD ON THE EV ENING NEWS.

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FEATURE // BETTER CHOICES

he days when entire swaths of streets were dedicated to different gang sets such as Crips at 40th Avenue and Bloods at 16th Street are not as prevalent, but the impact gang culture had on Omaha seems unending.

New gang members have upgraded with the times, and the days of tagging rival neighborhood walls with graffiti are replaced by disrespectful posts and comments on Instagram and Facebook.

Instead of Crips and Bloods roaming the streets, the prominent clique nowadays is N.I.K.E. gang (N**** I Kill Everything.) With such a moniker, it’s no wonder violence attributed to gangs is on the rise after a long respite. “I think now it’s just a bunch of kids lost,” said Johnny Waller, Jr., founder and executive director of Second Chance Organized People Empowered, based in Kansas City, Missouri. “You don’t have to beef with someone from different [gang] sets anymore, the violence is engrained.”

Fortunately for Waller, his gunfire didn’t cause any casualties. The negative branding by the media, on top of his charges, did have a lifelong effect that he fought hard to overcome. Despite the adversity, when a former gang member works toward redemption their efforts are rarely talked about.

A former Omaha resident, Waller is a business owner with a master’s degree in organizational leadership and development from Rockhurst University. He has held multiple honors since moving to Missouri, including recognition as “Kansas City Champion” by the Kansas City Health Department, and being named “Mr. Kindness” by Kansas City Magazine.

A deeper dive into Waller’s incident reveals a young man’s questionable morals and misguided decisions that can shine a light on the bigger issue of youth violence. His father was drug-addicted and abusive. By age 14, Waller was homeless and alone, turning to gangs and drugs. At 16, he was playing Russian roulette and selling drugs. As a gang member, he was involved in

By age 14, Waller was homeless and alone, turning to gangs and drugs. At 16, he was playing Russian Roulette and selling drugs. As a gang member, he was involved in many shootouts, including one that lead to him being shot in the head at point blank range. He was also the perpetrator of a shooting outside Westroads Mall in 1995 during an autograph signing for Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith.

many shootouts, including one that led to him being shot in the head at point blank range. The incident at Westroads was a spillover from school hostilities.

“I didn’t know how to resolve conflict. Some stuff I didn’t really want to do,” Waller said when asked about that fateful day. “I was a kid that had to make adult decisions that would affect the rest of my life.”

“My intentions to go there wasn’t on any gang stuff,” Waller said. “I was there as an Emmitt Smith and Dallas Cowboys fan.”

Regrettably, Westroads has become a location tinged by gun violence over the years. A recent incident in April 2021 resulted in the death of 21-year-old Trequez Swift, or “Juice from Facebook” as identified by 16-year old shooter Makhi Woolridge-Jones. Waller and Woolridge-Jones’ events share the warranted label of gang violence.

// 38 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

He remembered standing in the long line of people waiting for autographs when the friend he was with said it was almost time to start his very first job, and he didn’t want to be late. They stepped out of the line and Waller saw some guys walking towards them he recognized from Northwest High.

He knew a fight was coming when he heard one of them say, “There goes Johnny, Blood!” Northwest High was divided by rival Crips and Bloods gangs at the time, and Waller’s reputation as the former preceded him. When one of the teens stepped on Waller’s shoe his friend initially lost his cool but was knocked to the ground by a hard punch before the larger group attacked Waller. “There were eight of them and two of us,” he recalled. They slammed Waller through the AMC Movie Theatre entrance, located on the northeast side of the mall at the time. As he was being punched and kicked by older and bigger guys, Waller pulled a .380 handgun from his pocket and shot in the air. His assailants scattered. Discombobulated, Waller quickly ran through the parking lot towards his car in an attempt to flee, but just as he pulled his car out of the spot a female security guard blocked his way. “I put the car in reverse, but by that time seven [to] eight police officers had arrived,” he said. Waller was arrested and charged with discharging a weapon within city limits, disorderly conduct, and other misdemeanors, but the Ithaca-37 sawed-off rifle found in his trunk garnered a felony charge. He was held on a $500,000 bond for around a month before his mother posted bail. “I never asked Mama how she came up with that bond money,” Waller said. For people in Omaha, that’s the end of Waller’s story, which was, at the time, so big Ernie Chambers got involved with his case to make sure Waller was not made an example of as a black teen firing a weapon in a predominantly white area. The news quit reporting on the case, so how would most people know he avoided doing extended time for the mall shooting? Unfortunately, two years later, in 1997, he would face criminal charges for possession and possession with intent. He was ordered to serve 2 ½ to 5 years and 18 months in Lincoln Correctional Center.

Teresa Negron is executive director at YouTurn Omaha.

A term of his subsequent parole was to leave the state of Nebraska. This unusual situation came about because Waller’s best option was living with mother, who had moved to Kansas City to escape an abusive relationship. After having 24 hours to settle his affairs, Waller relocated to Missouri. He worked with a parole office there, and, from that point, had no documented gang-related incidents. Waller worked his way to esteemed opportunities like fighting for six years with state legislature to reverse a lifetime ban on food stamps for people with drug convictions in the state of Missouri. Retired police officer and executive director of nonprofit organization YouTurn Omaha Teresa Negron wishes more disillusioned youths would realize success is possible after making life-altering mistakes. “Young men involved in these instances of violence, many of them haven’t really seen opportunity,” she said.

Negron calls her work at YouTurn her passion. Along with Operations Director Stewart Giddings and a host of dedicated employees, their organization approaches the issue of gang violence in Omaha through a health lens in an effort to suppress issues at their core. “Violence is a learned behavior and spreads like a disease,” Giddings quoted epidemiologist Gary Slutkin, creator of the Cure Violence health model, which uses a public health approach to prevent violence. The innovative system was suggested when YouTurn was created in 2016 and implemented in 2017. Cure Violence already had a proven model of success, experiencing a reduction of violence up to 72% in larger cities like Chicago and internationally. YouTurn’s goal was to implement the model in a target area of north Omaha and reach 365 days without a homicide. While

there were still instances of violence, they accomplished their goal in an area including North 24th Street and 42nd Street and Redick Avenue between August 2018 and August 2019. “Behavior change will ultimately remove you from that space,” Giddings said. “Our approach isn’t to tell any individual to denounce a gang. That can be like walking away from blood relatives—family history, not just the notion that gangs are family.” YouTurn embraced the Cure Violence methods by introducing “credible messengers”— including former gang members and people who were involved and understand what it takes to walk away from the gangster lifestyle—to high-risk adolescents and young adults to act as violence interrupters. Their access to the community is empowered by holding events and making their presence known, allowing them to mobilize neighborhoods to stand up against violence.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 39 //

FEATURE // BETTER CHOICES

“W

hen we all become upset when a shooting occurs, not just when it involves my loved one, we begin to change. And we’re not there yet,” Giddings said.

He continued, “We engage the same way you attack a disease: first, understand the cluster and where it happens at the highest rate. See who’s affected the most and then work to change their societal norms. You begin to dissect and educate them on how to move different and not resort to violence as the only way to handle conflict.” Negron asks the public to support their efforts to help people involved in the gangster lifestyle turn things around.

“The people you see involved in these instances of violence are human beings,” Negron said. “They have circumstances that are behind them being in this space. YouTurn gets to the core of what those circumstances are and works alongside young people to work through that process. We ask people to volunteer, talk to legislatures, anything to help this community-based organization doing this heavy-lifting.”

“I felt embarrassed, uncomfortable, and had a f lood of emotions,” Waller recalled. “It felt like stepping back in time, reliving a memory of a not-so-good period in my life.”

Rallying their communities against youth violence despite gang influences are passions Waller and the team at YouTurn share despite their distance. Waller hopes to return to Omaha in the near future to act as a credible messenger in his hometown. Recently, he went back to Westroads after 30 years.

“I understand, people are judgmental about the lifestyle, but I get it because I did it,” he said. “You’ll eventually realize life is more than just day-to-day. When people talked to me about the future I couldn’t understand it. The way I was going about getting the things I wanted wasn’t the way to get them.”

“You’ll eventually realize life is more than just day to day. When people talked to me about the future I couldn’t understand it. The way I was going about getting the things I wanted wasn’t the way to get them.” -Johnny Waller, Jr.

// 40 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

He was once told to never return to Westroads Mall, but those representatives didn’t foresee his eventual transformation into a respected member of society.

Visit Youturnomaha.org for more information regarding the organization. Visit jwallerjr.com to learn more about Waller’s story.

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// 41 //

The Hayden House on the UNO Campus was commissioned in 1926 by Ophelia Hayden.

HISTORY // Story by Wendy Townley

Brothers to

Businesswoman

THE HISTORY OF THE HAYDEN FAMILY IN OMAHA

he retail shopping experience in downtown Omaha has certainly changed over the years. Department stores, locally owned boutiques, and the like have long been a part of the downtown experience for both residents and visitors.

One such store—the Hayden Brothers General Store—opened its doors along South 16th Street between Douglas and Dodge streets in the late 1880s. The space was small: a single room with six employees. // 42 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

The namesakes of the store, Irish immigrants and brothers Edward and William Hayden, first opened Hayden Brothers in Chicago in 1885. Following advice from friends paired with aspirations to continue seeking the dream of American prosperity, the brothers moved to Omaha. Success soon followed and a third Hayden brother—Joseph—joined the family business.

A variety of goods, paired with strong community ties, signaled growth for the small general store. Following a handful of years in business, Hayden Brothers moved a stone’s throw away to a 40-thousand-square-foot space that became part of Omaha’s downtown history.

UPON HER DEATH IN FEBRUARY 1972, AT AGE 83, OPHELIA LEFT HER HOME TO HER ALMA MATER, DUCHESNE COLLEGE CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART. A YEAR LATER, UNO PURCHASED THE HOME. IT WAS FIRST KNOWN ON CAMPUS AS ANNEX 24.

She joined the Christ Child Society Board of Directors. Working alongside other community volunteers, Ophelia distributed items and gifts to Omaha’s poorest children. Her interests in family preservation also led Ophelia to the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR). WONPR was created to help families and communities who were negatively impacted by prohibition. Ophelia’s generosity extended to religious causes, too. She was an early supporter of St. Margaret Mary Parish, which opened its doors in 1919. The church, located at 61st and Dodge streets, was just a few blocks east of Ophelia’s future home. Ophelia and her mother built their spacious home in 1926 at an estimated cost of $80,000, according to archives at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The archives also mentioned that the revivialist-era Hayden House retains some of its distinct residential features, including a hitching post outside the entrance, a safe in one of the walls, and other hidden panels. The large brick structure includes dark wood, arches between rooms, and lots of built-in storage. Located on the west end of UNO’s Dodge Street campus, the sprawling historic house still stands today. Its original address was 200 South Elmwood Road. (Also worth noting: Ophelia’s sister, Mary—who would become the wife of Adolph Storz—lived for years in the nearby Storz mansion.)

Photography contributed // Design by Matt Wieczorek

Researches and records show that the store, at its height, boasted nearly 80 departments: from household items to fashion, groceries, and even coal. Business upon opening was brisk, matching the foot traffic and sales of another well-known and historic downtown Omaha retailer, Brandeis. In October 1935, when the store celebrated its 50th anniversary, it was reported in The True Voice newspaper (today known as The Catholic Voice) that the doggedness and determination of the three Hayden brothers contributed greatly to the store’s success: “Despite their limited capital, their untiring efforts and keen foresight enabled them not only to carry on but to increase the size and importance of the store until it had become one of Omaha’s leading retail institutions. The slogan of the store ‘Try Hayden’s First’ has helped make the institution known from coast to coast.”

The Hayden name was quickly recognizable and became a jewel of Omaha. Such recognition and notoriety would continue for several decades, thanks to philanthropy and community efforts by Edward’s daughter, Ophelia. Born in 1889 to Edward and Mary Hayden, Ophelia would come to work in the family store. Success of the Hayden Brothers General Store continued well into Ophelia’s teen and young adult years. Ophelia became active in Omaha’s charitable causes and high society events. She even ventured into the role of activist when she traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1913 with a group known as the Omaha Equal Franchise Society. Their goal: march in the National Suffrage parade and attend the inauguration ceremony of America’s 28th president, Woodrow Wilson.

Ophelia’s father passed away in 1909. When his brother, William, later died, Ophelia was named president of Hayden Brothers. She oversaw all operations of Hayden Brothers, which had become one of the largest department stores west of Chicago. In 1938, Hayden Brothers closed and became a J.C. Penny’s. Ophelia retained ownership of the building, leasing the retail space for years. Throughout much of her adult life, Ophelia remained committed to Omaha and its people. She neither married nor had any children. Upon her death in February 1972, at age 83, Ophelia left her home to her alma mater, Duchesne College Convent of the Sacred Heart. A year later, UNO purchased the home. It was first known on campus as Annex 24. Through the years, Hayden House served as the dean’s office for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, a welcome center for new and prospective students, and a central hub for learning groups such as Project Achieve, and the Success Academy. Visit unomaha.edu for more information.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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H 8) 8 i 9 1 d Jo raska

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// 44 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n e l o nH 1)

g a raska 202 r o M eb N (Miss

PROFILE // STORY BY DAWN GONZALES PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

T H E R E S HE I S , MI S S ...

Miss America has been a disrupter for 99 years. Although frequently seen as old-fashioned, the crown has often been worn by high-achieving women. In 1943, Jean Bartel of California won, in part, by selling $2.5 million worth of war bonds. 1971 Miss America Phyllis George was an entrepreneur, and several Miss Americas have gone into national broadcasting or acting.

Jodi Holen was a girl with lots of energy. Tired of watching her tumble off the couches, Jodi’s parents sought dance lessons for their daughter in hopes of channeling her energy into more creative activities. They chose the Kitty Lee Dance Studio and like many young girls, dance lessons were part of growing up. Jodi, 1988 Miss Omaha and 1988 Miss Nebraska, credits the late Kitty Lee for introducing her to the opportunity to participate in her first pageant. “Miss Kitty was always supportive of the Miss Nebraska program and talked about it as we grew up,” Jodi said of the life lessons she learned through dance. “I desperately needed the scholarship money,” Jodi said, continuing that it was the No. 1 reason for participating in the Miss Omaha pageant. The second reason was the training she received in preparing for the pageant. “Miss Kitty would always talk about how participating in the pageant grows you as a person,” Jodi said. “I know I received interviews that I may not have had because of having Miss Nebraska on my resume.” She sold herself in those interviews based on the skills she had learned, such as speaking in front of an audience and relating to all different age groups. “I learned how to keep them engaged, learned how to read the audience and relate to them,” Jodi said. Those skills learned more than 30 years ago helped her launch a successful career in pharmaceutical sales as the senior sales director of the Alzheimer’s Division for Biogen. Jodi found value in the Miss America pageant program, so much so that she continued to choreograph and volunteer for the organization as a young professional and mom to two. She remains involved today. Her daughters participated in the little sister program, but no one could have predicted that her youngest daughter, Morgan, would follow in Jodi’s footsteps to the Miss America stage. Crowned Miss Omaha in October 2019, Morgan prepared herself mentally for the Miss Nebraska competition. Then COVID-19 happened, and the world changed. She continued her studies in broadcast journalism, advertising, and public relations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was involved in Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society. This is the National Leadership Honor Society that recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character.

Gone are the swimsuit and beauty competition, the focus is now on scholarship, interview technique, and leadership.

//45

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// PROFILE //

All my life I have been surrounded by strong women. My greatgrandma, grandma and mom worked fulltime. Grandma was a vice president of her business. She always had her lipstick on, dressing fabulous and running the business.

-Morgan Holen “The day before graduation in May 2020, I learned that being Miss Omaha would be a two-year commitment,” Morgan said. “It drove the decision for me to take the GRE and then I got into the master’s program at Lincoln,” she said. Morgan began studying for her Master of Business Administration degree at UNL that fall. This former captain of the Husker Scarlet Dance Team continued her studies during the pandemic instead of preparing for the canceled 2020 state pageant. On June 12, 2021, Morgan won the Miss Nebraska crown in North Platte. As the organization prepares to crown the 100th Miss America in December in Connecticut, much has changed, and yet so much remains the same. Gone are the swimsuit and beauty competition, the focus is now on scholarship, interview technique, and leadership. Women competing today are representing more than their state. They are ambassadors for a multitude of causes and are frequently called upon for speaking engagements with local schools to the halls of government.

Morgan’s platform is one that she developed after earning her Gallup Certified Strengths Coaching certificate. “Lead With Your Strengths: The Power of Strengths Based Mentoring” focuses on mentoring youth. As an ambassador for the TeamMates mentoring program, she has gained much insight and experience into the value that mentoring brings to students. She wants to help mentors focus on a child’s strengths; to focus on what they do well and why they can be leaders. “All my life I have been surrounded by strong women. My great-grandma, grandma, and mom worked full-time. Grandma was a vice president of her business. She always had her lipstick on, dressing fabulous and running the business,” Morgan said. “My mom commuted and would be on the phone from across the country calling and asking me at 5:10 p.m. how my dance practice went knowing that it was over at 5 p.m.”

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Both women agree that participating in pageants helped them to be successful in life. “It doesn’t define you, but it does change your life. There are things that I was able to do because of it,” Jodi said. More than a pretty face, the Miss America pageant is now a nonprofit. Peggy Fox, Miss Nebraska Executive Director, said that it is a great female scholarship program. “Miss America has helped young women gain friends across the country, helped them go through college debt free, and learn valuable lifelong skills. Miss America has stood the test of time for 100 years through changes and adversity.” Visit missamerica.org for more information.

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// 47 //

“I’ve seen, personally, the smile, the look on these kids’ faces that have never had a brand-new bed. Him being able to bring that joy to those kids is wonderful.” -April Anderson-Bell // 48 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

GIVING PROFILE // STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

Ensuring Kids are well-rested

Delivering Community and Dignity Through Furniture Donations

rew Gerken has responded to thousands of calls for help in his years with the Omaha Fire Department, but one family’s situation in 2013 made him pause.

“This particular call was different. It was two sisters [who had] three kids, and they had nothing. They moved into this apartment with nothing and no way to get anything,” said this firefighter who works at least 40 hours per week. “I asked the little boy where they slept, and he said they opened up their suitcases and slept on their clothes on the floor and covered up with some of them.” Gerken and his colleagues were inspired to help. “We went back to the fire station and put out a call on social media, and within 24 hours we had secured everything we needed for this family,” he said. “And more.” Gerken wanted that “and more” to go to good use. He began sending messages and making calls to match the extra items to people who needed them. He discovered more people who needed furniture, and found more furniture. As he began to help bring families together around dinner tables and onto couches, he realized one piece of furniture is particularly needed—beds. Gerken estimates hundreds of local children go to sleep, uncomfortably, on the floor every night. “We expect them to go to school, and pay attention, and get along with their friends, and get their homework done,” he said. Without a good night’s sleep, “That is really a challenge.” It’s a sentiment echoed by April Anderson-Bell, a social worker at Westside 66 who has worked with Gerken by supplying him with names of those in need. “My job is to help kids be successful in school and eliminate any barriers in helping kids being able to learn,”she said. “If these kids don’t have a bed to sleep in…or other basic needs met, we can’t expect them to be successful at school.” She’s also one link in the chain known as The Furniture Project, the self-evident moniker of the organization Gerken formalized in 2019 after delivering furniture to people in need for about six years. Another link is Jenni Riffel, Omaha chapter co-president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds twin-sized beds, along with supplying mattresses and bedding. “The first time we actually met Drew I was on a delivery and we were delivering beds, and he happened to be delivering furniture to the same family,” Riffel said. She was impressed with his one-man desire to help. The organizations have continued their partnership, and, she said, “Anytime we are in the home delivering a bed, and we see more need, we get them into contact with Drew.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

While Riffel and her crew supply twin-sized beds, Gerken can supply people with cribs, larger beds, and other home goods. Without a mattress, however, a bed is just a box. The affable Gerken soon made another connection to help turn the boxes into beds. “He and I met about three years ago. He was volunteering his time to help a family member repair a boat dock. One of the other members of that family is a friend of mine,” said Mike Moore, owner of Comfortmade Mattress Factory. “We got to talking, and he found out [I] have a small family-owned mattress store.” Moore realized that Gerken had a need he could fulfill with his business, and Moore was happy to do so. “You can’t talk to him for more than a couple of minutes without realizing he is just a good person,” Moore said. “He’s as humble as they come. But he’s got a work ethic and just has a passion for doing anything he can do.” The final link in this sequence of charity is that finishing touch—handmade quilts by a group of ladies around Omaha who also believe that getting a good night’s sleep, in an actual bed, is vital to one’s health. They so believe in this idea, and the good work that is being done by Gerken, that they spend hours piecing together colorful bedding for people in need. Gerken’s hard work and humility are so inspiring that in July 2020, he was presented the Firefighter Hero Award from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Five months prior, in December 2019, Gerken was interviewed for a web series called “Returning the Favor” with Mike Rowe, which featured community do-gooders across the U.S. and had more than a million followers on Facebook. His friends at Sleep in Heavenly Peace came to assist with the surprise episode by building 100 beds to be distributed. Still, Gerken doesn’t think he’s done much. “Ultimately, we’re all in this together,” he said. “If we have people who are suffering, I think it’s our duty to help them.” And when he and his friends all come together, Anderson-Bell said, community members in need—whether refugees; formerly homeless families; or those otherwise unable to purchase dining tables, couches, or beds—have also found a new friend in Gerken. “The families, they love him, he makes them feel so comfortable,” she said. “I’ve seen, personally, the smile, the look on these kids’ faces that have never had a brand-new bed. Him being able to bring that joy to those kids is wonderful.” Visit thefurnitureproject.org for more information. // 49 //

2021

GIVING

CALENDAR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2 0 2 1

FEATURED EVENT

Nov.

30th Anniversary Gala BENEFITING: TEAMMATES

Location: Embassy Suites - La Vista

This gala is set to be spectacular, with special guest appearances from Tom Osborne and Warren Buffett along with featured speaker Alex Rodriguez. TeamMates was founded in 1991 by Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne. Since its inception, TeamMates has served more than 43,000 youth across five states. —teammates.org

Nov. 3 (virtual)

Nov. 6

Nov. 12

Benefiting: Nonprofit Association of the Midlands

Benefiting: Ollie Webb Center

Benefiting: The Durham Museum

NONPROFIT SUMMIT OF THE MIDLANDS Location: Online —nonprofitam.org

Nov. 3

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN PREVIEW GALA

Benefiting: Assistance League of Omaha Location: Champions Run —alomaha.org

Nov. 4

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN

Benefiting: Assistance League of Omaha Location: various —alomaha.org

Nov. 4

JASON AWARDS GALA

Benefiting: Children’s Square USA Location: Mid-America Center —childrenssquareusa.org

HONEY SUNDAY

Location: various —olliewebbinc.org

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

Location: The Durham Museum —durhammuseum.org

Nov. 6

Nov. 13

Benefiting: Joslyn Art Museum Association

Benefiting: United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska

JOSLYN’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Location: Joslyn Art Museum —joslyn.org

BENSON BARSTOOL OPEN

Location: participating bars and restaurants —ucpnebraska.org

Nov. 11

Nov. 13

Benefiting: Girls Inc.

Benefiting: Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

LUNCH FOR THE GIRLS

Location: CHI Health Center Omaha —girlsincomaha.org

Nov. 11 (virtual)

Nov.

SALUTE TO VETERANS

Benefiting: La Vista Community Foundation

Location: Online —lavistacommunityfoundation.org

CELEBRATE GALA

Location: CHI Health Center Omaha —childrensomaha.org

Nov. 13

COME WHINE WITH US

Benefiting: Nebraska Humane Society Location: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse —nehumanesociety.org

Nov. 4

Nov. 11

Nov. 17

Benefiting: The Kim Foundation

Benefiting: AIM Institute

Benefiting: Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands

A TIME FOR HOPE AND HEALING WITH ZAK WILLIAMS Location: Embassy Suites-La Vista —thekimfoundation.org

AIM TECH AWARDS

Location: Omaha Design Center —aimtechawards.org

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Nov. 4

Nov. 12

Location: Heider College of Business at Creighton —bgcomaha.org/youthoftheyear/

Benefiting: Together

Benefiting: Salvation Army

Nov. 18

COMING TOGETHER

Location: TBD —togetheromaha.org

TREE OF LIGHTS CAMPAIGN KICKOFF Location: 90th and Dodge streets —centralusa.salvationarmy.org

Nov. 4

Nov. 12

Benefiting: One World Community Health

Benefiting: Goodwill Omaha

MILAGRO

Location: Hilton Omaha Downtown —oneworldomaha.org

// 50 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

CELEBRATE GOOD GALA

Location: Omaha Marriott Regency —goodwillomaha.org

HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY RADIOTHON

Benefiting: Open Door Mission

Location: Virtual, tune in to 1110 KFAB —opendoormission.org

// GIVING CALENDAR //

COUNSELING CONNECTIONS & ASSOCIATES

Nov. 18

OMAHA HUNGER EXPERIENCE

Benefiting: Saving Grace and Stephen Center Location: At Home —savinggracefoodrescue. org or stephencenter.org

Nov. 18

SALUTE TO FAMILIES

Benefiting: Heartland Family Services Location: Happy Hollow Club —heartlandfamilyservice.org

Nov. 18

TOAST TO MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT

Benefiting: Merrymakers

Location: Omaha Design Center —merrymakers.org

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Nov. 18

JINGLE 2021

Benefiting: Millard Public Schools Foundation Location: Champions Run —mpsfoundation.org

Nov. 19

VISION BEYOND SIGHT

Benefiting: Outlook Nebraska Location: Embassy Suites-La Vista —outlookne.org

Nov.

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WALK AGAINST HATE

Benefiting: Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region Location: varies —adlplains.com

BLUE COLLAR BOXING

Benefiting: United Way of the Midlands and Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education Location: Ralston Arena —unitedwaymidlands.org

Nov. 25

TURKEY TROT 5K

Benefiting: Make-A-Wish of Nebraska

-6 YEARS IN A ROW-

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Kristi Tackett-Newburg, PhD, LIMHP Lucy Hancock, MA Marilyn Erickson, APRN Marty Stoltenberg, APRN-BC Mary Loftis, LMHP, CPC Michele Yanney-Wehbi, LIMHP, CPC Nicole Obrecht, LIMHP Peggy Deaver, LIMHP, CPC Salina Anderson, APRN Sarah Wenzl, LMHP, CPC

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BSA BIG GIVE & LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

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// 51 //

// GIVING CALENDAR // Dec. 2-3

ADOPT-A-FAMILY RADIOTHON

Benefiting: Salvation Army

Location: Virtual, tune in to Star 104.5 FM —centralusa.salvationarmy.org

Dec. 3

MIRACLE NIGHT FOR MADONNA

Savor the experience

Benefiting: Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals Location: TBD —madonna.org

Dec. 4

JINGLE BELL RUN

Benefiting: Arthritis Foundation Location: Papillion Landing —arthritis.org

Dec. 4 (virtual)

SPIN4CROHN’ S & COLITIS CURES HOUSE PARTY

Benefiting: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Dec.

Location: Online —crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Dec. 9

NURSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

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Dec. 11

UN REGALO DE NAVIDAD

Benefiting: Centro Latino of Iowa Location: TBD —sucentrolatino.com

Dec. 12

MAKING MEMORIES

Benefiting: Autism Action Partnership Location: Omaha Children’s Museum —ocm.org

Dec. 18

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENT

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Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

FEATURE // UP FROM THE FIRE

continued from pg. 33

RYAN WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR A MURDER-TORTURE HE WAS INVOLVED WITH WHEN HE WAS 15 YEARS OLD, CONVICTED ALONGSIDE HIS DOOMSDAY CULT LEADER FATHER.

ody Rep to B air Au

2022 First Place

1ST PLACE 17 STR AIGHT YEARS!

2022 First Place

“We’d Rather Be The Best Than Apologize for Anything Less.”

“Need an estimate? Visit Dingmans.com to schedule your estimate today.” SETTING THE STANDARD IN COLLISION REPAIR

The biography is scheduled for release in December 2021, with preorders being filled in early November. Meanwhile, Nelson has a new book project in the works, the story of another individual risen from the ashes of a former life—Dennis Ryan.

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Ryan was sentenced to life in prison for a murder-torture he was involved with when he was 15 years old, convicted alongside his Doomsday cult leader father, Michael Ryan. Nelson went camping with the younger Ryan after his release from prison in 1997, and he has written several stories about Ryan overcoming his father’s demonic shadow for publication in both the World-Herald and Omaha Magazine. Michael Ryan died on Nebraska’s death row in 2015. “This might sound a little weird to Nebraskans, but of the people in pretty close orbit in my life, it’s Symington and Dennis Ryan who have provided two of the more impactful models for how to gracefully navigate what look like insurmountable hurdles,” Nelson said. Journalist and sources alike found new life flickering, burning out of their darkest hours. Author’s note: Nelson was managing editor at Omaha Magazine when I began contributing to the publication as a freelancer. After an unexpected change in senior editorial leadership during 2016, Nelson returned to Omaha as the magazine’s interim executive editor while recruiting the next top editor. I held the position on staff at the magazine from 2016-2019. Visit tamupress.com for more information and to order a copy of the book.

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// 53 //

“ When I’m training, my motivation is getting better every day. Because I want to be a world champ. I mean, I want to succeed after college. That’s what keeps me motivated. ” -Kael Lauridsen

// 54 //

November/December 2021

SPORTS

Story by Chris Hatch

Photography by Bill Sitzmann

Design by Matt Wieczorek

LIVING UP TO A NAME

BENNINGTON GOLDEN WRESTLER KAEL LAURIDSEN

ome people walk through beaded doorways into dimly lit rooms to get their palms read. Others rely on the black plastic orb with an eight inside a white triangle to tell them what to expect from their futures. Bennington high school junior Kael Lauridsen’s prophecy started with just four letters. K. A. E. L.

Perhaps, more accurately, it started with that aforementioned “K.”

That is the singular letter difference between his first name and that of Cael Sanderson, 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, undefeated college champion, and arguably the greatest collegiate wrestler of all time. “Yeah, a lot of people did,” Kael with the K said when asked about the on-mat comparisons between the two, as well as the name similarities. “His brother is also named ‘Kylar’ so my parents kind of named us after them.” Kael’s brother also has one letter difference, an “e” instead of an “a.” “When I met him [Sanderson] I was really young, so I was in seventh grade,” he said. “Before I started doing the international tournaments.” He met the noted Olympian at a tournament that, after some prodding, Lauridsen confessed he “probably won.” When talking to the energetic, burgeoning local legend, he will casually drop insane stats and piles of victories into the conversation with a humble nature that belies the harnessed aggression lurking beneath. See, it’s one thing for a moniker to function as a preordained promise of what’s to come, but it’s entirely another to go out and earn that name, to fight for that future that each letter so boldly proclaimed you were going to seek.

“My dad has coached me pretty much my whole life, until I got to high school.” Lauridsen said, confirming the steadying hand that’s been guiding his rapid ascent has been there all along. “At the end of my freshman year, we moved to Bennington. It was only because of wrestling.” That’s because that’s where coach Alan Pokorny has been finding the uncut diamonds of young, tough boys and making them into men that win on the mat for the past 34 years. “On the mat, he is an intelligent wrestler,” Pokorny said. “He has a natural feel for wrestling, and picks up on new techniques real quick.” Pokorny is equally impressed by the heart that beats behind the singlet. “Off the mat, he treats others very well and is a good teammate to everyone, no matter what grade or how good a wrestler they are.” Although he competes in a one-on-one sport, Lauridsen is quick to share credit. One of those coaches he credits, former Bennington sensation Brett Allgood, was one of the many elite performers for the Badgers in years past. “They’ve all helped me improve a lot, helped me with a bunch of little things. He [Allgood] was a four-timer [state champion] from Bennington. He has the takedown record for Class B. He tells me, ‘hey, records are made to be broken.’” Also on Lauridsen’s team is the club known as The Best Wrestler, which focuses on the technique/speed hybrid Delchev system and is led by its founders, Olympic coach Ivan Delchev and his son, former Olympian Georgi Ivanov.

“I’ve been wrestling for as long as I remember,” he said. “I started in, like, preschool or kindergarten. My dad wrestled in high school and a little bit in college [University of Nebraska at Omaha], so he put me in the sport and I kind of fell in love with it.”

“I’ve been working with him about two-and-a-half years maybe,” Ivanov said. “A lot of people don’t know that in order for you to continue to be successful [in wrestling], you have to keep developing at a rapid pace. We’ve been able to help develop him as a whole. You’re going to continue to see results.”

At this point, after wrestling for over a decade, he’s used to winning.

At the time of the interview, Lauridsen was in a brief lull in his otherwise jam-packed schedule.

He learned that from his father, Jim Lauridsen. Part Nostradamus of names, part mentor, part coach, he has been along for the ride from the very beginning.

November/December 2021

// 55 //

SPORTS

“My offseason is pretty much three weeks,” he said, having just returned from competing internationally at a cadet level in the PanAmerican games in Oaxtepec, Mexico. He brought home a slew of hardware, replete with a sparkling 42-1 point total and a 4-0 record for the gold medal in the freestyle competition, and he also won gold in the Greco-Roman division, beating wrestlers from locales such as Brazil and Chile. Lauridsen is familiar with overseas competition, having wrestled abroad in world championships in Budapest and at mat battles in Estonia, and having trained with some of the best coaches and competition in the world in Greece. “I mean, it’s fun, it’s a great experience, I love it. But when I go there, I’m dialed in on the tournament,” he said.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

Delchev agreed, saying, “He’s a talented kid, but he’s really passionate for the sport. He’s really competitive. He’s really smart, he picks up things right away. That helps. He’s got great technique.”

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“When I’m training, my motivation is getting better every day,” Lauridsen said. “Because I want to be a world champ. I mean, I want to succeed after college. That’s what keeps me motivated.” This is more than merely lip service, as he has been training 5-to-6 days a week against all the competitors he can get his hands on, even during the COVID19 pandemic. “Kael’s future with us looks very good,” Pokorny said. “He is on track to win four state championships, and I believe he can do it if he stays healthy. He [has] also made good progress in areas that I thought he needed to improve on so far and has more to go. I feel he will get there because of the progress he has made so far.” Future predicted. Future earned. Future still to come. Lauridsen is ready to take down whatever comes next. Visit benningtonschools.org for more information.

@OmahaMagazine

// 56 //

November/December 2021

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// 57 //

They would be met by a visual wonderland, complete with trees sparkling with tinsel, great golden bells, and massive ropes of garland.

// 58 //

60 PLUS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

LOOKING BACK AT HOLIDAYS IN THE BRANDEIS BUILDING NOSTALGIA // STORY BY JEFF LACEY // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED // DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

In the film A Christmas Story, in perhaps one of the most hilarious examples of rising action put on film, protagonist Ralphie Parker visits a department store Santa Claus. Parker is hoping to procure a verbal commitment from the Scarlet Saint to leave him a Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning. Tragically, Santa denies Parker’s request, sealing the rejection with a gentle boot tap to Parker’s forehead that sends him down a great red exit slide. Although Parker never obtained a commitment from Kris Kringle, the audience was treated to gorgeous scenes of midcentury department store holiday magic, complete with lights, huge drifts of synthetic snow, and elaborate window displays. The Brandeis Department store that once stood at 17th and Douglas streets in downtown Omaha was such a wonderland. At one point in the early 20th century, Brandeis stores comprised one of the biggest retail chains in the U.S., and the Brandeis name was internationally renowned. Their flagship building in Omaha, built in 1906, eventually came to include 10 stories of shopping, restaurants, offices, and even a post office facility. Although it closed in 1980, the store and its restaurants were popular holidays

destinations for Omahans for a large portion of the 20th century. Omaha native Mickie Olsen remembers the heyday of the Brandeis holiday season, and the store in general. As a child, Olsen loved The Tea Room, a restaurant on the main floor of the building. “I remember there would be a hostess walking around with a basket of porcelain figurines, and children could pick out a souvenir,” she recalled. Olsen’s aunt Mary Baratta worked in the women’s coat department. Olsen, now 72, lived around 49th and Pine streets when she was a child. She and her family would ride the city bus right down to the front door of the Brandeis building, where they would be met by a visual wonderland, complete with trees sparkling with tinsel, great golden bells, and massive ropes of garland. “The whole thing was decorated,” Olsen explained. “I loved going downtown to Brandeis at Christmas time. All the windows were decorated, and the entire store was lit up. It was gorgeous.” Once inside the building, Olsen and her family would navigate the teeming holiday shoppers, taking in the restaurants and various departments along the way. A

particular favorite event was traveling by elevator. Olsen recalled that, “the elevator had an operator, and it was a really jerky ride. The operator would announce what floor you were heading to, and the floor you were on, in kind of a canned voice that you hear automated in some elevators nowadays.” They often stopped at the eighth floor, the location of the toy department. Olsen recalled the thrill of that place, one especially acute in childhood. “There were wonderful toys,” Olsen said with a smile. According to Reader’s Digest, the most popular toys in 1957—the year Olsen was 8 years old— were Easy Bake Ovens, Etch-a-Sketches, Silly Putty, pogo sticks, and Barbie Dolls. “I liked dolls, and puzzles, and stilts. Dolls were my favorite.” Olsen would also visit the in-store Santa Claus, and, while she never got flushed down a great red exit slide, she didn’t exactly look forward to visiting with the Jolly Red One. “I always thought Santa was kind of creepy,” Olsen says with a chuckle. “I do remember seeing Santa, and I have a handicapped brother...I never really loved it, and he absolutely never wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. I remember standing in

line a long time, though.” Perhaps today’s mode of teleconferencing with the jolly elf would have relieved some of the anxiety for Olsen and her brother. The International Council of Shopping Centers estimates that, while around one in four mall visitors took a picture with a Santa in 2019, Zoom calls with Santa became more popular in 2020. The Wall Street Journal reported that websites like talktosanta.com rose in popularity, which charged around $35 for a Facetime call with the North Pole last year. The Brandeis store is no longer there, and spaces of its kind are on the wane. According to the National Retail Federation and Statista.com, while Americans spent $789.4 billion during the holiday season last year, it was increasingly spent online; mall vacancy rates grew to more than 6%. However, for many, the wild hope of childhood and the crimson pageantry of Christmas that spaces like Brandeis building can conjure from memory will undoubtedly be occupied for a long time to come. Some memories are their own species of mistletoe; when stepped beneath, they ask people, with a mischievous wink, to sidle up to joy.

60+ Profi le // story by Sara Locke // photography By Bi ll Sitzman n // design by Derek Joy

As an artist, mother, and friend,

As an artist, mother, and friend, Ruth Ciemnoczolowski has woven her life into a colorful tapestry. Each integral thread winds its way from her rural start through her world travels and home again. Her work has often been found in the spotlight, adorning starlets and Playboy Bunnies alike. Squeezing all of these wild and worldly experiences is a testament to her talent for creating something grand out of nothing, and making something grand seem like just another day at the office. The first thing people notice when meeting the 63-year-old Ciemnoczolowski is her energy. It is high, it’s frenetic, and it’s looking for something beautiful to make. “I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Western Nebraska,” Ciemnoczolowski recalled. “Living on a farm shoveling muck isn’t very stimulating, and I didn’t fit in. I went to a one-room school with an outdoor toilet, and all there was to do was read. By fifth grade, I’d read every book in the building, and through the book mobile I was reading 28 books a week.” This hunger for knowledge and engagement found Ciemnoczolowski seeking higher education at UNL, majoring in English, art, and women’s studies. After graduation, she relocated to Omaha and comfortably moved into a career in clothing alterations. She used her talents to see the world, and to create new ones with each stitch.

She’ll always add some interesting sleeve or beautiful details or trim. Even if I come to her with just a color or fabric or shape, she immediately has a million great ideas for what to do with them.

-Lindsay Pape

“After college I became a Bunny sitter for Playboy International,” Ciemnoczolowski said. “I’d learned to sew at age 4, and here I was a women’s studies major making Playboy Bunny costumes.” One bunny led to another, and soon Ciemnoczolowski was making a whole zoo of outfits for events at then-Emmy Gifford Theater. “I made a lot of animal costumes for children’s theater at that point. When you have a specific talent, people don’t understand you not being great at normal stuff. When they see me create, they think I’m brilliant, but when I try to do normal stuff…” she trailed off. Ciemnoczolowski set out on her own to find freelance styling jobs, as well as work among local film artists. She eventually landed tailoring gigs on a number of Alexander Payne pieces. “The film community is very small in Omaha—you get jobs by word of mouth.” This wordof-mouth resulted in her connection with Nic Fakler for the film Lovely, Still, for which she is credited as costume designer. “I did [the film] as I was impressed with Nic, who was so young when he wrote the script. I wanted him to have good costumes for his movie. He’s a great guy.”

She also holds an episode of HGTV’s That’s Clever under her belt. She won first place for an alternative wedding gown (a black cocktail-length gown with a cape) in the 2014 “Passion for Fashion” contest from the American Sewing Expo. Ciemnoczolowski has traveled the world on her talents, spending time living in Europe, visiting France through a 4H program, and spending her Decembers renting a home near the ocean in California to sew frantically with her long-distance friends. She has taught at National Sewing Conventions and written for the national Threads Magazine. Here, she teaches Theater Tech Appreciation, and is currently working as a cutter/ draper for Omaha Community Playhouse.

// 60 //

60 PLUS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

“I’d learned to sew at age four, and here I was a women’s studies major making Playboy Bunny costumes.”

-Ruth Ciemnoczolowski There, she finds herself just as surrounded by compassionate and creative people. As she names her many inspiring friends, mentors, and collaborators, she lingers on her admiration for her team at Omaha Community Playhouse, saying “The shop really celebrates diversity and body positivity in a way you don’t always find with fashion. And working with Lindsay Pape, I honestly really enjoy every day. I’ve never had a better boss.” Before becoming Omaha Community Playhouse’s Costume Designer, Pape spent 14 years teaching Costume Design at Creighton. As she approaches her fifth season working with Ciemnoczolowski at OCP, she returns repeatedly to one word: talented. “Ruth knows much more than I do about garment construction, every step of the way. From working out a pattern to choosing seam placement,” Pape said. “All of the details, closures, zippers, the hemming. She’ll take each of my designs and drawings, no matter how specific or vague, and bring me these beautiful, elaborate ideas to choose from. She’ll always add some interesting sleeve or beautiful details or trim. Even if I come to her with just a color or fabric or shape, she immediately has a million great ideas for what to do with them. She’s very collaborative, incredibly creative, and just terribly talented.” Ciemnoczolowski infuses love, wisdom, and inclusivity into all of her work, bringing cultures, customs, and curiosity to the stage. Visit omahaplayhouse.com for more information.

ip nning

Into a Lif

read h T a Colorful Tapestray

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • 60 PLUS

// 61 //

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

60+ ACTIVE LIVING STORY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

Mike & Cheryl Sisk ntrepreneur Wally Byam is noted for saying, in 1916, “Don’t live in the past or future… Make history.” It’s a philosophy he has helped many people realize with the recreational vehicle he invented known as the Airstream. That iconic invention that looks like a fast-food burrito wrapped in aluminum foil can often be seen rolling down the road in the Midwest during the summer, and in warmer spots during the winter. One of those aluminum RVs is the source of pride, and memories, for Omahans Mike and Cheryl Sisk. The couple are members of the local Nebraska Airstream Club, and frequently travel with fellow club members to rallies, campouts, and festivals. Mike and Cheryl have taken their 2002 Airstream to the Canadian Rockies and Arizona, and have met hundreds of enthusiasts of these classic RVs. “My parents were Airstreamers,” said Mike, although, at age 70, he did not grow up traveling by Airstream. His parents started this hobby in the late 1970s. “We did go camping when we were growing up. I’ve met some of the folks my parents Airstreamed with.” Mike and Cheryl, age 69, took their two daughters camping in non-Airstreams when they were girls, and upon retiring in 2010, the couple returned to their hobby of traveling and camping. Their friends, however, did not enjoy camping nearly as much as the Sisks. The couple joined the Nebraska Airstream club and found the members to be kindred spirits.

// 62 //

The Sisks bought a 1992 34-foot Airstream in April 2013 from a friend of Mike’s parents in Arizona. A hailstorm dented it within two weeks, and the aluminum RV was ruined. The couple bought a 1991 34-foot Airstream that July, and subsequently joined the club. While camping in their 34-foot Airstreams, they saw a 30-foot version owned by a friend that they liked, and Mike told their friend, “If you ever sell that, please let us know first.” The couple bought this 2002 Airstream Classic a few years ago, and have been happy with this purchase. “We moved everything from the [34-foot] to the 30-foot, and everything fit,” Cheryl said. “The closet is smaller, but we worked it out.” That is because this particular Airstream had one rarer feature they wanted, a slide-out panel that gives the couple extra room when the RV is parked, and this Airstream did not need much renovating. The previous owners had installed a vinyl plank floor and converted the sofa and dinette to leather, which the Sisks have retained. They have changed some colors on the inside, but prefer to spend their time camping with friends, and making new friends. “They are wonderful people,” said Jamie Scott, campground manager at the Amana Colonies. Scott got to know the Sisks as the organizers of a rally at the historic tourism spot in Iowa.

60 PLUS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

“We moved everything from the [34-foot] to the 30-foot, and everything fit.” -Cheryl Sisk

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • 60 PLUS

// 63 //

60+ Active Living

‹Wally Byam Caravan Club, International, identifies members in the Midwest as

belonging to Region 8, which encompasses the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas, and includes the following six clubs: Greater St. Louis, Iowa, Iowa North, Missouri Greater Ozarks, Missouri-Kansas, and Nebraska. People from all of these locations converged on the Amana Colonies from April 28 to May 2, 2021, for the Region 8 Spring Rally. Mike, then president of Region 8, was at the helm of the event.

“Over the course of a year it takes a fair amount of time and energy [to plan a rally],” said Greg Vadner, current president of Region 8 and a member of the Greater St. Louis club. “You need to search for sites, then you’ve gotta narrow those down to what will work. Then you’ve gotta start figuring out dates, you talk to the venue, figure out the terms of the contract. Normally by then you’ve gone to the venue. Right now I’m working on 2023. Mike would have been working on the Amana Colonies two years ago.”

“You can tell they love this. They take so much pride in it.” -Jamie Scott The Sisks saw this as a labor of love. “They took it upon themselves to learn about what we offer here in Amana so they could have give their group a great experience,” Scott said. They arranged for the Iowa North group to cater a barbecue one night, the Missouri-Kansas group to cater dinner a different night, and the Missouri Greater Ozarks group to supply ice cream for dessert each night. The ice cream likely was an accompaniment to a favorite camping treat of Cheryl’s, which the Sisks have introduced to several Airstream enthusiasts. “We roast Twinkies,” Cheryl said. “It gives them a crispy crunch. They are good, and much less messy than S’mores.” “We’ve spread the idea of Twinkie roasting around, and everyone seems to like them,” Mike agreed. // 64 //

60 PLUS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

“The gal from Amana gave us some prizes to hand out,” Mike said. “We had gold, silver, and bronze medals. Instead of putting beer in the steins, we put root beer in them. We had a plunger ring toss. One person had a plunger tied to their head. You threw pretzels and tried to get a ringer on the handle of the plunger.” The couple are often asked about their classic vehicle, and they will gladly tell people anything they want to know, even offering to let people see the inside of the camper.

The affable couple brought their enthusiasm and love of Airstreams to the Amana Colonies.

“I’d never been in one of those,” Scott said. “You can tell they love this. They take so much pride in it.”

“They were very welcoming,” Scott said. “I got to have dinner with them during the rally. They were interested in my background, in the backgrounds of the employees. That doesn’t happen with every group that comes here.”

While the Sisks are not in charge of the rallies next year, Vadner is sure that his friends will be in attendance (COVID notwithstanding, they have been to every rally since 2016) and he has been grateful that Mike has been a part of the process for the rallies he is planning.

Vadner said the event was outstanding, and he particularly enjoyed spending time with his fellow Airstreamers, including the Sisks, at the Festhalle Barn during the rally. “It was relatively hot, and we spent probably two hours in the large building,” Vadner said. “[There were] kids who were singing and dancing, so it was entertaining. We had two tables and we probably had 20 of our members there—enjoying the entertainment and telling stories. Of all the things, I probably enjoyed that the most.” Along with the club members wandering around the historic German colonies and participating in the annual Mai Fest events, the Sisks planned a multitude of events, including the “Airstream Olympics.” Mike thinks this was a first-ever event, and it included games such as stein holding, a keg roll, and a one-legged race.

“Mike been great to me [and Cheryl has, too],” Vadner said. “They’ve helped me move into the presidency. He’s been a great help to me…he’s like, ‘remember this, look for this in your contract.’ [He gives] pointers about other members that I don’t know—who’s a good candidate for this or that to volunteer for. [He’ll say] ‘Remember, at this dinner, we always have this event.’” Airstream enthusiasts have a slogan that they join the club because of the trailer and stay in the club because of the people they meet. “Some of these people have become lifelong friends,” Cheryl said. Visit nebraska.airstreamclub.net or airstreamclub.org for more information.

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA // STORY BY HANNAH HESER // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

TOYS AND JOYS

SIX CHRISTMAS DONATION DRIVES

It’s the time of year when hearts fill with the spirit of giving—giving thanks and, of course, giving gifts. Thousands around the metro and other places are impoverished or homeless, and thousands of children are in the care of foster or surrogate parents. The daily struggles of those in need leaves little, if any, room in budgets for Christmas presents. Omaha Magazine has compiled a list of six organizations from around the city that collect toys and other items to families who need support.

ANGEL TREE AT THE SALVATION ARMY 10755 Burt St. | 402.898.6007

The Salvation Army Angel Tree program has been helping local low-income families and children since they began serving the Omaha community 130 years ago. This holiday program relies heavily on generous Omahans who purchase new toys and place the unwrapped gifts in the blue donation bins at any Jensen Tire location in Omaha, Council Bluffs, Fremont, or Lincoln. In 2020, they partnered with Walmart to expand the program and provided toys for thousands of children in the area. —centralusa.salvationarmy.org

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DRIVE AT THE HOPE CENTER FOR KIDS 2201 Farnam St. | 402.342.8232

Each holiday season, members of the Hope Center for Kids have the opportunity to pick out new Christmas gifts for loved ones. Along with parents and caregivers asking for gifts for children, this is an event in which children themselves are looking to pick out gifts for loved ones, so donations of items such as skin care products or stationery are appreciated, along with donations of toys and gift cards. (Note: items need to be delivered by Dec. 7) —hopecenterforkids.com

MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION LOCATIONS VARY

210.904.5094

Toys for Tots began in fall 1947 with a handcrafted Raggedy Ann doll. The program now serves more than 600 local communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. New, unwrapped toys can be donated at collection sites around the Metro. —omaha-ne.toysfortots.org

PROJECT ELF AT NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY

4939 S. 118th St. | 402.451.0787

Project Elf has been going on for more than 20 years. Through this donation program, NCHS provides the children and families served throughout its programs across the state with gifts under their tree. This successful program annually gives thousands of gifts to those in need. —nchs.org

PROJECT SANTA AT OPEN DOOR MISSION

2205 E. Locust St. | 402.422.1111

Project Santa is a drive-thru Christmas event held by the Open Door Mission organization. Those who participate in this charity event will put a smile on a child’s face by empowering parents to have gifts under the tree this holiday season. Volunteers are always needed to help bag toys and load the presents into the parents' cars. This is an outdoor event, so dress accordingly. —opendoormission.org

TOY DRIVE FOR PINE RIDGE LOCATIONS VARY

lldunn38@msn.com

This homegrown nonprofit helps people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, known to be one of the poorest areas in the country. The drive was started in 2003 by Omaha musician Larry Dunn when he arranged a benefit concert to collect toys. Each year more concerts are added, along with events in the city and outside of Omaha. They partner with multiple schools and early childhood centers for the toy giveaways in mid-December. —toydriveforpineridge.org

06 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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CHEESE

A little

The Good Life Charcuterie Provides luxury for man and beast

DINING FEATURE // STORY BY KAMRIN BAKER

with that?

Gone are the days of last-minute meat and cheese platters from the grocery store. Jasmine Deane and Sarah O’Callaghan think charcuterie is a work of art—and a vehicle for community.

The Good Life Charcuterie is a year-old catering company devoted to a luxurious and tasteful charcuterie experience. At the time of this Omaha Magazine interview, Deane and O'Callaghan co-owned this venture. The Good Life, like many new businesses, was born of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deane is a Nebraska transplant who moved to Omaha from Virginia Beach in December 2020.

“Moving to a new place can be really scary, and this was my way of connecting with people,” Deane said. “Being stuck in the house, I was able to put my entire being into this. I love community, but I’m also not a ‘look at me’ kind of person, and this has taught me that there are ways to be a part of the community that I never had imagined before.” The Good Life Charcuterie offers grazing tables for big events, as well as individual charcuterie boxes, which can be customized based on the needs and desires of the customer. “Food is the way to the heart, and we’re able to make this luxurious, beautiful, earthy experience for our customers,” Deane said. “You’re never going to get the same grazing table twice. And each box is curated to its recipient. It says: ‘I’m sorry I can’t be there for you, but this is a gift that’s made just for you.’”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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from left, Jasmine Deane and Sarah O’Callaghan

DINING FEATURE //

In late May and early June, the duo prepared small boxes for patients at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, as well as the Omaha Fire Department. The little gifts go a long way. Deane and O’Callaghan are deeply invested in providing a unique experience while supporting other small businesses. Their vendor list is extensive, and Deane said having O’Callaghan’s strong “connector” skills has woven them into almost every corner of the tight-knit Omaha foodie community.

“We get our meats and cheeses from Stoysich, all produce from local farms or farmers markets, honeys from Fat Head Honey, pastries from Sweet Magnolias, and we peruse Made in Omaha for fun local goodies as well,” O’Callaghan said. “We also work with local executive chef Joel Hassanali to perfect our luxury charcuterie menus.” While the Good Life team has a passion for supporting local businesses—especially in the wake of a COVID economy—O’Callaghan is thrilled at the prospects of partnering with local vendors to expand the community and education piece of the business. “What we’re doing now is things like wine and cheese pairings and beer flights, so it’s really interesting to hear people talk about their products and exactly where [they] came from, how they brewed it, things like that,” O’Callaghan said. “We’re trying to have that farm-to-table experience and really educate people about what they’re putting into their bodies. It’s more than food. It’s togetherness.” That togetherness has gone beyond conversations around a grazing table and into the spaces where people work and live. The Good Life has found a home at Modus Coworking, a modern downtown office space transformed to house small businesses like theirs. “The Good Life Charcuterie has helped expand the Modus community by providing beautiful and delicious grazing tables at our events,” Modus Community Manager Laura Schoening said. “Once folks realize The Good Life Charcuterie is catering one of our events, they immediately flock to it. It may seem simple, but a gorgeous food spread has helped connect our members immensely.” Before The Good Life, Deane worked in nonprofits and social work, so her knack for building community comes naturally. O’Callaghan, a Nebraska native, has a huge family and said food was always the driving force for their gatherings.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

“There are dishes I look forward to at family events and holidays. Cheesy potatoes, Oreo balls, these classic casseroles. It’s like the thumbprint of a family member contributing to this bigger thing,” she said. “If someone doesn’t bring food, it’s like they’re not there because their food isn’t there.” “Food is an act of love,” Deane said. “You can make fruits and vegetables beautiful and fun. You can make simple things into spectacular things. On paper, we’re just making a cheese board, but it’s so much more than that. It’s like an ode to mother nature.” The Good Life grazing tables are elaborate and ornate, with hundreds of cold cuts folded into a river of savory indulgence, salami and specialty cheeses cascading through forests of grapes and garnishes. Deane says the intention is to wow people. “We put hours into three feet of food,” Deane says. “Most people taste with their eyes, then their mouth. We speak to that visual taste every time.” Another facet of The Good Life Charcuterie brand is its unique approach to another demographic: dogs. O’Callaghan is a lifelong dog-lover, turned French-bulldog breeder, turned dog nutrition advocate. She saw dog charcuterie boards, or “barkuterie,” popping up along the coasts and knew Omaha’s four-legged friends deserved the same sort of luxury. “Growing up, a lot of my dogs were dying of cancer or heart failure, and I knew they could have lived longer, healthier lives,” O’Callaghan said. “Kibble hasn’t changed in the last 40 years, and I started researching more into raw diets for my dog. Before we were business partners, Jasmine shared about barkuterie on social media, and I messaged her and said: ‘I’d love to do this.’” Deane calls it a “perfect storm.” O’Callaghan’s love of dog nutrition, coupled with her savvy for local animal brands, built an arm to the company that reaches even more hungry bellies. “The first response with barkuterie is usually ‘your dog eats better than me,’” O’Callaghan says. “I saw a meme recently that said: ‘Dogs are the new kids and plants are the new pets.’ It’s so true for current generations, and I think we’re finding new ways to gather and connect with people, even if you don’t have children or big families.” The Good Life sources dog delicacies from local vendors Long Dog Fat Cat, The Green Spot, and Brixtix Bakery. O’Callaghan caters to different desires here as well, offering “adventure boards” with treats such as chicken heads or rabbit ears, as well as dog-safe desserts, usually grain-free pumpkin cookies, perfect for a birthday party or Instagram post. O’Callaghan and Deane have partnered to ensure that no one gets left behind when it comes to a beautiful spread. “We want people to feel emotion,” Deane says. “We want you to be moved by this—we want this to be something you remember forever.” Whether enjoyed at the dog park or an elegant wedding venue, charcuterie can be for everyone and can include anything.

“It’s like when someone goes to the gas station and picks up your favorite soda because they were thinking of you,” O’Callaghan said. “It’s not just meat and cheese thrown on a plate; it’s making people feel loved through community, education, and emotion.” Visit thegoodlifecharcuterie.com for more information. Editor's Note: At the time of this printing, Deane and O’Callaghan’s collaboration had expired. Deane will continue to sell and create charcuterie as well as barkuterie under The Good Life Charcuterie moniker. O’Callaghan will continue to create her barkuterie under her 402 Frenchies brand, which you can find on Instagram and Facebook.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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I’ll get burnt out and then I’ll go travel for a little bit, and then I cannot wait to get back and just get in the kitchen and dream again. -Katina Talley

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

DINING PROFILE // Story by Carrielle Sedersten // Photography by Bill Sitzmann // Design by Matt Wieczorek

Katina Talley Weaves Her Way in the Pastry World

ATINA TALLEY GREW UP IN A FOOD-CENTRIC HOUSEHOLD. “MY GRANDMA WAS AN AMAZING COOK, MY DAD IS A WONDERFUL COOK AND A STAY-AT-HOME DAD AS WELL. ANY OF MY DOMESTIC SKILLS CAME FROM HIM, WHICH IS A LITTLE UNCOMMON.”

Talley was drawn to the kitchen at an early age, however, “My dad's quite territorial and has methods to his madness and has a hard time relinquishing control. So I feel like I took on baking because it was something that I could own.”

The 31-year-old owner of Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop has definitively done that, though she wasn’t always sure how it would work out. When she was heading off to college, she knew she wanted to do something food-related but wasn't sure in what capacity. “In my head, I hadn't dreamed [it] up.” Talley decided to major in agricultural journalism and minor in food science. “They promised me that I wouldn't write about pigs or cows,” she said. But, ultimately, she did. While she was attached to the idea of journalism, it took her two classes to realize food science enthralled her. “I still have a really, really romantic vision of what a life as a journalist could be,” Talley added. During her senior year, she landed a product development internship with ConAgra, later accepting a job in the bake lab. The food scientist bounced around departments for almost five years. Then they moved her to tomatoes. “I loved everything that I had done up until that point,” she said. “I really found passion for it and had been excited about it. And I just could not get on board with putting tomatoes in a can…It just wasn't my life's passion.” After a year and half of tomatoes, Talley knew she needed a change. After looking for jobs at

food startups on both coasts, she accepted a position in Chicago. Then a friend at ConAgra sent her a message about a bakery space that was for sale. Owning a bakery was Talley’s dream. She said it took her all of 2.5 seconds to email the bakery owner. “I took a look at the financials, and I was like, 'you know what, I'm gonna kick myself forever if I don't buy this,'” Talley said. Back in summer 2015, her philosophy was if she made a mistake before age 30, she had the rest of her life to correct it. “I went from thinking I was moving to Chicago to owning a business in legitimately two weeks,” Talley said. During those two weeks, she would leave work and go straight home and do recipe development. The thing she kept thinking about is the way food makes you feel. “All the development that I do now is nostalgia driven. It just like, conveys those happy memories.” Early on, she knew she wanted to give back and get involved with the local neighborhood community. “So June 2017 was our first Pride month that we were open.” In a spur-of-themoment decision, she decided to make rainbow doughnuts and posted about them on social media. “Then I was like, 'OK, well, now, I'm profiting off of this, and so what do I do with that?'” Now every June, she donates profits from Pride items to a local LGBTQ supporting organization. Talley also supports other organizations. For Women’s History Month in March, she donated profits from her unicorn bars to

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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2021

Women Who Run Nebraska and the Women’s Fund of Omaha. “What Kat is so great at is showing that, as a woman…you can still have a successful, thriving business and also be passionate and transparent and open about what you believe in,” shared Talley’s friend and fellow entrepreneur, Ariel Panowicz. The day after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, Talley donated 81% of total sales to Planned Parenthood. “I woke up from a nap…and I saw the announcement that Ruth Bader Ginsburg had passed and was just devastated.” She felt she had to do something. “My staff would tell you, that was the worst day of the pandemic, because we were so busy…It was a bad day to be a worker there, but it was such a good day for seeing how much people care.” Talley is the third owner of Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, and when the pandemic hit, she wondered if she would be the last. She quickly learned how resilient she and her staff were. “I think I very much learned the power of a positive attitude. It’s really easy to do the ‘woe is me thing,’ but I mean, all things considered, I came out unscathed. Man, if there's anything that can bond people, it's going through a pandemic together.” Five years after taking the leap, being the owner of Sweet Magnolias is “officially the thing” she’s done the longest in her life. “It's just cool to see another woman-owned, small business growing in Omaha,” Panowicz added. Pre-pandemic, Talley found inspiration through traveling. “That’s where I get my best ideas, is on airplanes,” she said. “I’ll get burnt out and then I'll go travel for a little bit, and then I cannot wait to get back and just get in the kitchen and dream again.” Visit sweetmagnoliasbakeshop.com for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

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DINING REVIEW STORY BY J.C. EVANS

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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TIMBER WOOD FIRE BISTRO 8702 PACIFIC ST. - 402.964.2227

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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Prohibition chicken is made using wood-roasted Miller’s Amish chicken and is served with grilled mixed vegetables and Yukon puree.

DINING REVIEW

owever, a strong industrial theme also stands out, with steel beams and accent pipes throughout, and a mural on one wall with steampunk elements.

Despite not living far from this area, my partner and I had not visited Timber before. We started with the jalapeño bacon shrimp skewers. There are six mediumsized shrimp wrapped in bacon and served on charred guacamole with apple butter and bourbon molasses. The jalapeño was mixed with the guacamole. There was not much heat, but the flavors hit the right notes—a little sweet, a little spice. The creaminess of the guacamole and crispness of the bacon worked well together, and it may be one of our new favorite appetizers.

My partner ordered the prohibition chicken, which is brined, then wood roasted. If there was any menu item that should be described as charred, it was the chicken. (I have seen some photos in which it didn’t look quite so dark, so this may have been a fluke.) The dish came with a leg, a wing, a thigh, and a breast and was served with chargrilled vegetables and Yukon gold potato puree. He preferred the dark pieces, and said the leg was his favorite.

egg. The server reminded me when I ordered that it came with both a sherry walnut vinaigrette and a gorgonzola dressing and asked if that was OK. Having learned years ago that vinaigrettes and blue cheese dressings can be a winning combination, I said yes. I wasn’t disappointed here, but I did wish the salad was served in a larger bowl, as trying to dismember the large hunk of lettuce without making a mess was near impossible.

While he did not care for the vegetables (they were a little mushy), I thought their flavor was good, with a sweetness that wasn’t overwhelming. We both agreed the creamy Yukon puree was a highlight for the dish.

Since timber is in the name, we felt we had to try the slow-smoked ribs. They were stacked four high, with two rib pieces per layer for a total of eight. Served with a mound of Carolina slaw, a cup of macaroni and cheese, and a large ramekin of molasses beans, it was not a small plate. The apricot Fresno Chile barbecue sauce was served on the side.

He also added the French onion soup to his meal. The small bowl was covered in melted Gruyere cheese held up by chunks of focaccia bread. Typically, a French onion soup has a darker, beefy broth. This one is made with chicken broth and white wine. The onions could have been caramelized a little longer, but overall, we liked it.

The beans were both sweet and vinegary, whereas the slaw could have used a little more of each, as it was rather bland. The fresh crispness was nice, however, and would make a good companion to a spicier dish.

I ordered the wedge salad with my meal. It was a large chunk of iceberg lettuce served with blue cheese crumbles, halved cherry tomatoes, a few red onion slices, and diced hardboiled

The mac and cheese stole the sides show for us. Topped with a swirl of house barbecue sauce, the large shells were perfect for holding mounds of gooey, creamy cheese. But the real star on the

plate was the ribs. Though not served in the typical slab style, the presentation certainly made them easier to eat without destroying clothes, napkins, and hands. They were smoky, tender, and seasoned so well they didn’t need the side of sauce. We tried it anyway, and weren’t disappointed. The tanginess cut through the smoke flavor, making it a refreshing addition. Dessert was a s’mores cake. It was a small, round chocolate cake with a marshmallow top that had been flambéed and was served with homemade caramel and a caramel gelato. We got it to go, as we were quite full by the time we got through our first three courses. It was still good, but I would recommend eating it there if you have the time and the stomach capacity. To drink, we ordered iced tea. The tea had a hint of flavor I couldn’t place, but our server informed us that it was a tropical tea. While I normally don’t like flavored teas, this one was subtle and didn’t have an overly sweet taste. I almost asked for a to-go cup. The service was excellent, and the food was good. The tab was a little more than I would normally spend on ribs, but worth it. We will go back to try the pizza—the woman seated at the next table raved about the crust— and some other dishes, specifically the beef Wellington that is only offered on Friday and Saturday nights. If they do that right, we may become regulars. Visit timberomaha.com for more information.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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xican Dining Me

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DINING GUIDE

Get a Little Get Saucy.

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Four Generations of Baking Excellence. The influence of family guarantees a robust sense of purpose. And as we fulfill our vision for growth, we continue to put the needs of our customers first.

Left to right: Alessandro Rotella Louis Rotella Sr. Louis Rotella Jr. Maria Rotella

Omaha

DINING GUIDE Breakfast

day Brunch Sun

Staff & Servi ce ait W

2022 Winner

2022 First Place

156th & Dodge • 408-1728 177th & Center • 934-9914 120th & Blondo • 991-8222 69th & Pacific • 933-2776

Thanks for Voting Us # BREAKFAST YEARS in a Row!

Drive-Thru Open (Center St. Only) Open Daily 6:30am-2:00pm Serving Breakfast & Lunch All Day!

LEPEEPOMAHA.COM | @LEPEEPOMAHA n Sandwi ube ch Re

2022 First Place

Try Omaha’s Favorite Reuben! Omaha’s largest selection of craft beers.

3578 Farnam St • 402-345-1708 www.beercornerusa.com

DINE-IN TAKE-OUT

ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE 4524 Farnam St. - 402-991-7724

FREE PARKING . LIVE MUSIC . BIER GARDEN

R AT H S K E L L E RO M A H A .C O M

Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. MondayThursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended. —pastaamore.com

SPEZIA - $$$ 3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950 Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended. —speziarestaurant.com

MEXICAN FERNANDO’S - $ 7555 Pacific St. - 402.339.8006. 380 N. 114th St. - 402.330.5707 Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. —fernandosomaha.com

STEAKS • CHOPS • SEAFOOD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES 7 private party rooms Seating up to 400 Lots of parking

PASTA AMORE - $$ 11027 Prairie Brook Rd. - 402.391.2585

h Steak ouse

2022 Winner

1620 S. 10th Street

402-345-8313

www.casciossteakhouse.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 79 //

Omaha

DINING GUIDE

MODERN COCKTAILS MIXED WITH AMERICA’S MUSIC

3825 N. 30 TH ST., OMAHA, NE @JOHNNYTSBARANDBLUES

LA MESA - $$ 158th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.557.6130 156th and Q streets - 402.763.2555 110th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.496.1101 Fort Crook Rd. and Hwy 370 - 402.733.8754 84th St. and Tara Plaza - 402.593.0983 Lake Manawa Exit - 712.256.2762 Enjoy awesom e e nchila das , fa b ulo us fajitas , seafoo d sp e cialties , mo uth wate ring margaritas , and more at L a M esa . Com e se e why L a M esa has be e n vote d O maha’s N o. 1 M exic an restaurant 1 8 years in a row. S unday-Thursday 1 1 a . m .-9 p. m . , Friday and S aturday 1 1 a . m .-1 0 p. m . — lam esaomaha .com

ROMEO’S MEXICAN FOOD AND PIZZA - $ 90th and Blondo streets - 402.391.8870 146th St. and W. Center Rd. - 402.330.4160 96th and L streets - 402.331.5656 Galvin and Avery roads - 402.292.2028 29th and Farnam steets - 402.346.1110 Romeo’s is your friendly, family Mexican food and pizza restaurant. We take real pride in serving our guests generous portions of the freshest, most flavorful dishes made with the finest ingredients available. Zesty seasonings and the freshest ingredients combine to ensure the ultimate in flavor. Our savory taco meat is prepared every morning at each location. Make sure to try our chimichangas; they’re the best in town. —romeosomaha.com

SPECIAL DINING CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $ 3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708 Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia— Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beerlover’s destination. Hours: MondaySaturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight. Closed Sunday. —beercornerusa.com

RATHSKELLER BIER HAUS-$$ 4524 Farnam Street - 402.991.7724 Rathskelle r B ie r H aus cele brates daily with G e rman be e r, wurst and many oth e r m e nu ite ms . Within arm’s reach of th e B lackston e Distric t and historic D unde e . Rathskelle r B ie r H aus is our G e rman c astle and design e d to bring th e storie d traditions of B avaria to th e beating h ear t of O maha’s m etro area . Com e e njoy our large outdoor b e e r ga rde n an d fo ur legge d f rie nds are welcom e . Prost! O pe n daily 1 1 a . m .- L ate . — rathskelle romaha .com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

// 80 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Omaha’s Riverfront Entertainment Venue

Omaha

DINING GUIDE WEDDINGS • PARTIES • EVENTS

GREEK ISLANDS - $ 3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528

JAMS OLD MARKET • 1101 Harney St • Happy Hour M-F 3pm-6pm

Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. —greekislandsomaha.com

JAMS MIDTOWN • 7814 West Dodge Road • Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm

BOOK 2022 EVENTS NOW!

402-342-7827

CASCIO’S - $$ 1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

• WEDDINGS • PARTIES • EVENTS • REUNIONS • MEETINGS 151 FREEDOM PARK ROAD • OMAHA www.rivercitystar.com

JAMS LEGACY • 17070 Wright Plaza • Party Rooms & Patios • jamseats.com

Take Out & Delivery Available Online Ordering Available at Bellevue & Millard Locations

402.505.6660

Please Check Website for Hours of Operation

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

thanks to our customers for voting us the “BEST BURGER

IN OMAHA 2022 First Place

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done. Lunch Monday- Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., cocktail hour 3-6 p.m., dinner nightly 5 p.m. —droverrestaurant.com

402.932.1944

varsityromancoinpizza.com

Hamburger

Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.com

THE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$ 2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

Sports Bar

402.339.1944

STEAKHOUSES

“Serving World Famous Hamburgers Since 1936”

106 GALVIN RD., BELLEVUE, NE • 402-291-6088 • OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY, 11 AM - 9 PM

ek Dining Gre

2022 First Place

Family Owned Since 1983 CATERING / PARTY ROOM AVAILABLE HOMEMADE, FRESH FOOD, ALWAYS.

3821 Center St. / 402.346.1528 GreekIslandsOmaha.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 81 //

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

NEBRASKA VERITAS Nov. 5 at Merryman Performing Arts Center, Kearney. Vocal quintet Veritas

CHRISTMAS AT THE MANSION Nov. 17-Dec. 22 at Lied Lodge and Conference Center, Nebraska City.

brings a dynamic twist to everything they sing. Their repertoire includes Broadway, pop hits, original settings of classical favorites, patriotic standards, and classic hymns. 308.698.8297. — kearneyconcerts.org

The historic 52-room mansion features v intage -inspired decorations and holiday-themed displays. 402.873.7222. —liedlodge.org

HOLIDAY CABARET. Dec. 3-5 at James Arthur Vineyards. The vineyards presents a fun-

filled evening of Christmas songs and holiday Broadway hits. Admission price includes one glass of wine. 402.783.5255. —jamesarthurvineyards.com

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET BLUE OYSTER CULT Nov. 20 at The Royal Dec. 4 in downtown Plattsmouth. Guests Grove, Lincoln. This group has been can listen to seasonal music, tour performing for over 50 years. They the Cass County Historical Musuem, are best known for their singles take hay rack r ides , meet Father VETERANS DAY Nov. 11 at the Strategic Air “( Don’t Fea r) The R eaper,” Nov. Christmas, and more. The official Tree Command & Aerospace Museum, Ashland. “Burnin For You,” and “Godzilla.” Lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Each year, the museum honors They have sold 25 million Cass County Museum. 402.296.554 4 . America’s military veterans with records worldwide, and released —visitcasscounty.com a special program on Veteran’s their latest in October 2020. Day. This event features posting of —theroyalgrove.com the colors, a keynote speaker, and of HIGH PLAINS CHRISTMAS Dec. 4 at Legacy of course the National Anthem. Veterans the Plains Museum in Gering. This holiday CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FESTIVAL Nov. 26 to Dec. are encouraged to attend in uniform. tradition features hay rack r ides , 12 throughout Minden. The annual Light of RSVP is requested. 402 .94 4 .3100. — marshmallow roasting, and cowboy the World Christmas Pageant will take SACMuseum.org coffee around a bonfire. Kids can place on the weekends, with a full week of write letters to Santa and send them activities, from a carnival for children to via Pony Express to Santa’s Village BEETHOVEN & BEYOND Nov. 14 at Brownville a scavenger hunt, escape room, concerts, in downtown Gering. 308. 436.1989. Concert Hall, Brownville. Cellist Jennifer free movies, and more. 308.832 .1811. —legacyoftheplains.org Kloetzel has performed throughout —mindenne.org the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She is a Nov. founding member of the Cypress String CHRISTMAS PAST AND PRESENT Dec. 4-5, MASTERS OF SOUL Nov. 28 at Merryman Quartet. Pianist Robert Koenig is a 10-11 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. Performing Arts Center, Kearney. This much sought-after collaborative pianist This event features a beautiful group is a wonderful tribute to and chamber musician. 402.825 .3331. lamplit tour of Railroad Town and Motown, performing all the greatest —brownvilleconcertseries.com live music. All of the roads and paths hits while dressing the part and sharing are lit with lanterns and the buildings their electric showmanship. 308.627.2717. are decorated w ith old-fashioned GATEWAY FARM EXPO Nov. 17-18 at Buffalo —kearneyconcerts.org greenery and bows. Visit the Mercantile County Fairgrounds, Kearney. Guests will see shop, speak with staff members dressed the latest agriculture technology and HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOUR OF LIGHTS TBD at Lied in period costumes, sample some services at this annual expo. Attendees Lodge, Nebraska City. The Arbor Day Farm ginger cookies, and more. 308.385.5316 will see hundreds of exhibits at this trolley will take visitors on a tour of —stuhrmuseum.org longest-running farm show in Nebraska historic Nebraska City to view the best drawing thousands of visitors each year. Christmas lights. A classic Christmas 308.234 .2717. —gatewayfarmexpo.org book is read during the ride. 402.873.8733. —liedlodge.org

// 82 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

FESTIVE SHOPS, SWEET TREATS, WARM MOMENTS & MEMORIES. HOLIDAYS ARE HERE IN SARPY COUNTY! Shadow Lake Towne Center, Papi

llion Tree Rush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue

etna The Beanery, Gr

Werner Park, Papillion

Santa’s Rockin’ Lights at Werner Park, Papillion Cabela’s, La Vista

Nebraska Crossing, Gretna Kros Strain Brewing, La Vista

Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue

Roma’s Italian Restaurant, Bellevue

Chocolaterie Stam, Papillion

Graley’s Creamery, Papillion

Sarpy County awaits with a wonderful mix of fun things to see and do this holiday season! And you’ll find numerous stores decked out and ready for you to enjoy, including those at our exclusive Shadow Lake Towne Center and Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall. So grab your list, check it twice and make the journey to Sarpy County. Located just south of Omaha and along I-80. For a full list of shopping, restaurants and holiday events, visit us at

GoSarpy.com.

BELLEVUE • GRETNA • LA VISTA • PAPILLION • SPRINGFIELD • OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE • OMAHA METRO

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

GIRL S GE T AWAY W EEK END Nov . 5-7 at Amana Colonies . This unique tr ip is

HOLIDAYS IN THE HAYMARKET TBD at the Haymarket in Lincoln. Santa will visit

the Hay market , and g uests can participate in free horse-and-carriage r ides while var ious enter tainers sing Christmas songs. 402 . 435 .7496 —lincolnhaymarket.org

dedicated to women, for women. There are many events planned , such as special menu selection at restaurants, exclusive shopping, and wine sampling. 319 .622 .7622 . —amanacolonies.com

A SWINGING BROWNVILLE CHRISTMAS Dec. 10-12 at Brownville Concert Hall, Brownville.

In the tradition of beloved seasonal specials, Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch will perform swinging arrangements of "Christmas Waltz," "Sleigh R ide," and “Snow," among other favorites. The singers will be joined by Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums. 402.825 .3331. —brownvilleconcertseries.com

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES Nov. 12 at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. Charles was one of the 20th century's most influential musicians. For the 60th anniversary of his pivotal recording of "Georgia on My Mind," Civic Music Association celebrates his legacy and music Nov. with a special concert featuring all-star vocalists, Take 6, Nnenna Freelon , and Clint Holmes . —hoytsherman.org

CHRISTMAS AT THE CODYS Dec. 17- 21 North Bi l l’s magnificent Victorian mansion is decorated for the holidays and open to the public during the Christmas season each year, as is the barn. Evening events include outdoor caroling and hayrack rides. Complimentary hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts are provided. 308.535 .8035 . —visitnorthplatte.com River State Park, TBD near Louisville.

THE CAKE Nov. 12-21 at Stoner Theater, Des Moines. When Jen returns to her North Carolina hometown to ask Della, the best friend of her deceased mother, to bake her wedding cake, Della refuses because Jen is marr ying a woman. Mix in a baking reality show and a dormant marriage and things get ver y, ver y interesting. 515-246-2300 —desmoinesperformingarts.org

Nov.

ANNUAL WINTERFEST TBD at Ponca State Park in Ponca. This outdoor family

tradition features a Yule Log Quest, the National Championship Fruitcake Fling, seasonal crafts, lighted hayrack r ides , a nd more . 4 0 2 .75 5 . 2 2 8 4 . —outdoornebraska.gov/ponca

IOWA MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, MARC COHN, SHAWN COLVIN: TOGETHER IN CONCERT Nov. 5 at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. These three Grammy Award-winning artists have united for this extensive new tour. The musicians will appear together onstage, performing songs and sharing stories. 515 . 24 4 .0507. —hoytsherman.org

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

REAL LIFE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

19-20

Visitors can follow the clues and find the Yule Log. The shooting range is open during the day, as well as special crafts, hayrack rides, snacks and more. 402.234 .2217. —outdoornebraska.gov/platteriver

LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE Nov. 26 in downtown Clarinda. Over 75 lighted f loats decorate the Clarinda Downtown Square for this holiday parade. Each year, a different theme is given so participants can show their imagination and do different things with their floats. After the parade, children are able to visit Santa Claus at the Santa House 712.542.2166. —clarinda.org

Platte. Buf fa lo

YULE LOG CELEBRATION at Platte

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE: TIME BUBBLE TOUR Nov. 23 at Hoyt Sherman Place. This event features the beloved returning cast of the 2019 “Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour,” along with the world 's only movie-riffing robots, Tom Servo, Crow, and GPC. The show features the film Making Contact and will include all the tour signatures: hilarious riffing, wisecracking robots, and silly sketches . 515 . 2 4 4 .0507. —hoytsherman.org

November 19-20 at Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center . This t wo-

d ay con ference i s gea re d towards women of all ages. The conference will feature speakers Sheila Walsh, Lisa Whelchel, Plumb, Shantel Dudley, as well as speaking and singing by Plumb, JJ Weeks. Ayeisha Woods and more. 515.564 .8000. —iowaeventscenter.com

FROM THE BARREL—DES MOINES’ WHISKEY FESTIVAL Nov. 19-20 at The River Center, Des Moines. This event is designed for the connoisseur. The tickets include whiskey tastings, where attendees can choose from over 150 options, live music, activities, food, and more. This two-day festival also features cigars, contests, speakers, and charities. 515 .371. 4791. —dsmwhiskeyfest.com BEETHOVEN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Nov. 20-21 at Des Moines Civic Center. Paul Huang,

recipient of the prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, is renowned for his intensely expressive music making. This program will feature the noble grandeur and epic journey of Sibelius’s Seventh Symphony and Anna Clyne’s Masquerade. 515 . 246. 2300. —desmoinesperformingarts.org

JULEFEST Nov. 26-27 in Elk Horn and Kimballton. This celebration of the arrival

of the Christmas season has been happening annually for over 40 years. Events include a “Naughty or Nisse” 5K Polar Run, a pancake supper, and a concert. The Museum of Danish America and Danish Windmill will be open throughout the weekend. 712.764 .7472. —danishvillages.com BÉLA FLECK Dec. 2 at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. Over the last four decades, Fleck

has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before. He has earned 15 Grammys in nine different fields, including countr y, pop, jazz, instrumental, classical, and world. But his roots are in bluegrass, and that’s where he returns with this tour, in support of his album My Bluegrass Heart. 515.244.0507. —hoytsherman.org PRELUDE TO CHRISTMAS Dec. 3-5 at the Amana Colonies. In this annual tradition,

guests can view candlelit streets, walk through the colonies’ Tannenbaum Forest, and visit Santa. They will be offering Christmas cookies and wine pairing f lights, shopping specials, and a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt. On Saturday, the Amana Church presents a cookie walk. 319.622.7622. —amanacolonies.com

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS MARKET Dec.4-5 at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, Cedar Rapids. This tradition includes live

music and dance performances, seasonal treats, and free family activities for visitors to enjoy while shopping for specialt y impor ts and handmade gifts by select artisans. 319.362.8500. —ncsml.org

SINTERKLAAS DAY Dec. 6 in downtown Orange City. Holland’s version of Santa arrives on his white horse during a large parade. Other activities include Dutch games and a puppet show This is a popular day for children and their families to come and enjoy the spirit of Christmas in main street’s “Dutch Village.”. 712.707. 4510. —orangecityiowa.com NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Dec.

7 at The Vesterheim National NorwegianAmerican Museum and Heritage Center, Decorah. This lively day of events

i nc lude s S c a nd i n av i a n hol id ay traditions, crafts, music, a movie, and other treats . 563 . 3 82 .9 6 81 . —vesterheim.org

DM SYMPHONY—NYE POPS: THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN Dec. 31 at Des Moines Civic Center. From classic Elton John hits “Tiny Dancer,” “Bennie and the Jets” and “Rocket Man” to rock favorites like “Live and Let Die” and “Pinball Wizard,” Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh and his band entertain with a high-energy show. 515.246.2300. —desmoinesperformingarts.org

VETERANS DAY WEEKEND Nov. 10 in Fort Scott, Kansas. Fort Scott has been honoring

veterans since 1842 . This signature event includes a parade through the downtown and a grand ball, in which 19th century costumes are encouraged, but gloves are required by all. 620.223.3566. —fortscott.com

22ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUMINARY WALK. Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, 9-11, and 16-18, at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Overland Park. Guests can stroll down candlelit

KANSAS HISTORIC CANDLELIGHT TOUR TBD at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Step back in time to learn about actual events that took place on the property over 100 years ago. Living histor y re-enactors tell the stories of the ranch and American Indian culture on the prairie with firstperson vignettes of real life on a typical winter night in the prairie. Kerosene lanterns light the path. 620.273.8494 . —nps.gov/tapr

paths through the gardens while viewing holiday lights and listening to live music. 913.895.6270. —opkansas.org

SHAWNEE CHRIS TKINDLM ARK T Dec. 4 at City Hall in Shawnee. This cit y

celebrates its German roots with its Christkindlmarkt, featuring carolers, a Mayor ’s Christmas tree, holidaythemed dances, and more.913.631.6545. —visitshawneeks.com

THE BRIAN MCKNIGHT 4 Nov. 5 at Lied Center of HYDE PARK LUMINARIES Dec. 18 in Hutchinson. Kansas, Lawerence. Singer, songwriter, Stroll, drive, or ride through this beautiful producer and multi-instrumentalist neighborhood for the annual Christmas Nov. Brian McKnight has released Luminaria. Meet Santa at the corner CHRISTMAS IN K ALONA Dec. 7 in 19 albums over the past 25 of 20th and Washington streets, downtown Kalona. Children can years, selling more than 30 listen to musical entertainment, fill their “walking stockings” million albums worldwide, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, Dec. with gifts from local merchants, garnering 17 Grammy Award drink cider, and eat cookies have their picture taken with Santa, nom i n at ion s 7 8 5 . 8 6 4 . 2 7 8 7. at Hyde Park . 620.694 .9310. decorate cookies and or naments , —lied.ku.edu —hutchgov.com take a cookie walk, tour churches, and ride in a carriage. 319.656.2660. WICKED WINE WALK Nov. 6 at Kansas City —kalonachamber.com MISSOURI Power & Light District, Kansas City. Bubble, bubble, boil, and trouble. Participants GREAT PUMPKIN SMASH TBD at Kansas City Zoo, HOME FREE—WARMEST WINTER TOUR 2021 Dec. on this wine walk can listen to live Kansas City. Come and Watch animals 15 at Des Moines Civic Center. This acclaimed music while sipping on wine and stomp, crash, and roll around with all-vocal country group is set to light nibbling on small plates at each of the huge pumpkins after Halloween. This up the holiday season when they hit par ticipating venues. 816. 842 .1045 . is a great post Halloween enrichment the road this year. They will be playing —powerandlightdistrict.com for children of all ages. 816.595.1234 — songs from their most recent studio kansascityzoo.org album, Warmest Winter. 515 .246.2300. KIWANIS 2021 CHILI & SOUP FESTIVAL Nov. 6 in —desmoinesperformingarts.org downtown Hutchinson. This annual festival KATT WILLIAMS Nov. 12 at T-Mobile Center, features a variety of soups and chilis, Kansas City. Grammy-Award winning band IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY Dec. 16 which can be voted on by attendees, along The Chainsmokers is known for their hits at Stoner Theater, Des Moines. This beloved with music, entertainment, and shopping like “Selfie” and “Closer.” 888.929.7849. American holiday classic comes to life as in the downtown area. 620.694 .2677. —t-mobilecenter.com a live 1940s radio broadcast. Presented —hutchgov.com by the Iowa Stage Theatre Company, this ensemble of five actors, with the ANNUAL PLAZA LIGHTING CEREMONY NOV. 25 in FIND THE WINE Nov. 6 and 13 at Walter’s help of live sound effects, brings a few Kansas City. Each Thanksgiving evening, Pumpkin Patch, Burns. Snacks and samples dozen characters to life on the stage, one of Kansas City’s most grand annual of wine will be available at this third sharing the story of idealistic George traditions happens on the Country Club annual event, but the guests must Bailey as he considers ending his life Plaza. Watch this dazzling display in try to locate samples located within one fateful Christmas Eve. 515.246.2300. Kansas City that includes giveaways, the corn maze. 21+ only. 316.320. 4150. —desmoinesperformingarts.org performances, fireworks, and a post—thewaltersfarm.com ceremony concert. The display runs through mid-Januar y. 816.753 .0100. —countryclubplaza.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 85 //

// EXPLORE CALENDAR // 2021 NCAA HALL OF FAME WEEKEND Nov. 22- 23 SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS Dec. 4 in Kansas City. The National Collegiate in Atchison. This event is for kids of all Basketball Hall of Fame Induction ages, with children’s activities such will take place on Sunday at as North Pole Village and a lighted the Sprint Center Kansas City, Christmas Parade. 800.234 .1854 . Dec. with the Hall of Fame Classic —visitatchison.com Tournament taking place the next day in the arena. 888.929.7849. 40TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT HOMES —halloffameweekend.com TOUR Dec. 4-5, throughout Weston. Historic homes in this antebellum city will be open and the streets will ST. CHARLES CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Nov. be decorated with luminaries. Father 26- Dec. 24. Locations vary, St. Charles. Christmas will be present. 816.640.2909. In addition to the 80-plus characters —westonmo.com who are always "making seasons bright,” there are a host of other activities in St. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOURS Charles at Christmastime. 800.366.2427. AT THE HISTORIC DANIEL BOONE HOUSE Dec. —discoverstcharles.com

WIZARD FEST Nov. 28 Outland Ballroom, Springfield. Wizard Fest is a Harr y

Potter-themed trivia and dance party. This interactive party celebrates the wizarding world, cosplay, and all things magic in one spectacular event, with themed cocktails, a costume contest, and a Triwizard Tournament. 417.869.7625. —facebook.com/outlandballroom

// 86 //

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

3-4 and 10-11 at historic Daniel Boone Home, Defiance. Frontiersman Daniel Boone’s

home will be open and lit for the holidays. The village will have historic scenarios and information about this time period, and campfires will be lit. People can drink hot cider and eat snacks. while roaming through more than 1000 luminaries. 636.798.2005 . —sccmo.org

EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE. Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

// 87 //

NOT FUNNY // COLUMN BY OTIS TWELVE // PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SITZMANN

STR EAM OF S H OP PI NGNES S

he other day while I was out shopping with my significant other…

(Any reader who has followed my adventures for any length of time now knows that this story is pure fiction because I would never, ever in a thousand years, go shopping with my significant other, nor with anyone, or anything else, including a Sugar Glider secreted in my vest’s watch pocket. Everything that follows is, thus obviously, an exercise of my imagination.)

…I found myself standing in the self-help aisle of a big, corporate bookstore… (Yes, this is more evidence of the unreliability of my narrative. I would never, ever in a thousand years, never go into a big, corporate bookstore, as I am psychologically compelled to seek out small, locally owned—by quirky bookish people—shops that feature tomes by local folk and obscure French Existentialists simultaneously. Thus, once again, this little digression is exposed as the fraud that it is.) …and as the titles swam past my eyes, in a moment of clarity… (And yet again the jape is clear. I’m just making this up as I go because it amuses me. It is no secret to my family, friends, and the general public that I have never, ever in a thousand years, never had even a flashing bright nanosecond of clarity in this mind of mine. I have occasionally been able to grasp hold of a complex concept for a brief moment but there was no deep understanding involved, just a spasmodic, reflexive grabbing response, like a Venus Flytrap snapping shut on a fly. Clarity is the stuff of greater minds than mine.) …I realized that it was high time that I took an inventory of my flaws…. (I mean, how obvious can it be? This little essay is just one of those self-justifying petite memoirs meant to cast the author in a flattering light so that history might someday regard him with some degree of an idealistic gloss rather than record his name in the cruel light of reality and fact. I have never, ever in a thousand years, never taken any kind of inventory since Mr. Gesick fired me from my stock boy job at the TG&Y some years ago.) …and commit, at long last to change,… (Change? I hate change. Everyone hates change. Human beings will embrace the most bizarre levels of self-deception in order to avoid change. No matter what the mounting, incontrovertible evidence might be that demands a change of mind, change of diet, change of residence, change of habit, change of outlook, change of heart…Raise the sea levels, run the ball on 3rd and 23, melt the icecaps, trade your best power hitter, believe what you hear on the radio, buy a thousand Powerball tickets all at once…keep at it…don’t you ever change.) …but then I realized… (Now, I’m about to weasel out of it…typical…This might turn out okay after all. Because I never, ever in a thousand years, never fail to pull back from the cliff’s edge. That’s how I got to be this old.) …if I lose all my flaws, there might not be anything left underneath, (Finally, a ring of truth.) …and that’s why I never go shopping with my significant other. … (This column was dictated to an assistant while standing in the self-improvement aisle of a very large corporate bookstore. Transcribed on the inside of a dust jacket from the new edition of “I’m OK, You I’m Not So Sure About.”). Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

// 88 //

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