QuiN tess eNce The Underground Issue Volume 2 Issue 1
CONtriButOrs
1
Allison Heithoff
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: COPY EDITOR: STAFF:
Lily Yates
ADVISOR:
Mr. Elliott
Kayley Anderson Maria Koliopoulos Tom Hermanek Ava Dreessen Robert Killgore Maria Miller
Peter Quinn Sam Wiegand Nessa Woosley Molly Gubbels Hope Stratman
e u
3
SUBCANTEOUS MELODIES ANTIQUATED OMAHA
s s
s i H
iN
6
i
AVERY HANKIN CLAIRE PAPE
t
11
OMAHA FILM STREAMS THE UNION
15
JESSI WESSEL MAX KORENSKY
21
30
CAPSULATED THE MYSTERY OF THE GROTTO
33
18
9 WRITING ON THE WALL
UNDERGROUND BURGERS MEMORIES OF NATURE
23 27
36 42 HUMMEL PARK MARIA MILLER JOSH SCHMIDT 45
OUTLIER STYLE TWO WEEKS IN GERMANY
39
FROM THE EDITOR: In a world fixated on the exterior aspects of people and situations, there lies beneath a story waiting to be told; a feeling longing to be shared. These unknown thoughts and emotions cannot unearth themselves. They await discovery. Discovery is a beautiful part of life: hearing a song that relates to your life profoundly, meeting someone you connect with instantly, or encountering a situation that stirs inspiration. Often such experiences occur in places least expected. While difficulty comes in figuring out what lies hidden, taking a moment to look beyond the surface uncovers what physical features tend to mask. I hope this issue allows you to see things you may be familiar with in a unique way, yet also encounter an admiration for something previously unknown. As you flip thtough the pages, I hope you discover an appreciation for what lies underground.
2
subcutaneous melodies By Lily Yates
Underground music never dies. The alternative scene simply continues to evolve, all the way from the first period in which anything other than the most popular music became accessible. Furthermore, and maybe most remarkably, our definitions of what makes an artist, album, or song “alternative” have gone on to change significantly. Ranging from barebones rock reminiscent of the classics and dreamy indie electronic tunes all the way to the most organic acoustic harmonies, “alternative” has become a blanket term to end all blanket terms. Yet the label has somehow managed to retain just enough specificity to stay relevant even here in the twilight of 2016. Over the years, alt music lovers have watched cherished bands and artists’ activity ebb and flow- some to relieved riddances- many to painful unofficial goodbyes. But recent releases near the end of this year and prospects for the next have brought new hope to many despairing supporters. In late September, band Bon Iver released their widely-believed-final album, 22, A Million, to high acclaim after a five year dry spell. A group that has trademarked a sound consisting of shivery
(adjective): being, living, or occurring under the skin.
3
falsetto harmonies and folksy acoustic vibes, Bon Iver turns toward a new feel. Incoporating tribal influences, gritty, hard-driving backbeats, and more creative uses of vocoder and synthesizers, 22, A Million brings together old and new Bon Iver in a wholly lovable way. Classic alternative favorite Arcade Fire, conversely, is tentatively scheduled for a spring 2017 LP release to the delight of scores of band devotees. As of yet nameless, the new album is not altogether shapeless, with never before heard material unofficially debuted at various summer festivals. Another old standby, Jimmy Eat World,veering more toward the punk side of the spectrum, has announced an October 21 album release titled Integrity Blues. A well-loved part of many childhood soundtracks, makers of songs like 2001’s “The Middle” are sure to inspire even now- fifteen years later. All-girl group HAIM is approaching their long awaited sophomore release, supposedly at some point this fall. The Haim sisters fairly rocketed to popularity, debuting in 2013 and opening for industry giants like Taylor Swift. Eager fans are hoping the new album propels them musically even further. Some of the most tentative (yet excitng) news comes from Vampire Weekend, whose style can be descibed as a mix of preppy and off the grid, inspired partly by cultures around the world. Interviews have revealed evidence of solid work on music that will reportedly spawn new life for the group’s sound after the previous album trilogy’s widespread success. While left with no official release date, inside information has predicted 2017 as the year of Vampire Weekend’s return.
4
// 22 (Over S∞∞N) // Bon Iver // We Used to Wait // Arcade Fire // The Middle // Jimmy Eat World // The Wire // HAIM // For Emma // Bon Iver // Sure And Certain // Jimmy Eat World // Holiday // Vampire Weekend (includes music from bands mentioned in the article: previous fan-favorite releases and newer music alike)
5
antiquated omaha aged or abandoned gems of the omaha metro By: Peter Quinn
Grace University, though not abandoned, holds many aged works of art. It is not covered in graffiti, but rather wrapped in greenery and vines, combining nature and civilization into one. It is home to a mysterious, locked up grotto, where no one has entered in quite some time.
Next to the church is an extraordinary house with amazing decor. Located just across from Grace University, this house or apartment building stands apart from the other adjacent houses.
The area also is home to a beautiful church. It is not abandoned, but it usage has declined exponentially over the years, leaving the church as an icon of art on the street corner. From the aged white marble to lanterns bracketing the doors to the church, this is indeed a display of beautiful architecture, wise from its
6
The abandoned corn silos near the interstate, nicknamed simply “the silos� by many, have been an icon for art, graffiti, and exploration. There used to be large tarps covering these silos, making a colorful piece of art for those driving on the interstate. The tarps were later removed; now the silos rest untouched, locked in time, littered with debris, graffiti, and and other things that may have yet be uncovered.
7
There are still smaller instances of art on the lower parts of the silos. Different scenes are depicted, such as a hiker encountering a yeti on an icy mountain. The graffiti covers almost all areas of the silos, ranging from the walls to being on various objects, such as this boat found left there.
8
9
The rain blocks my view, making me more alert of my surroundings As the clouds rumble by in the darkened sky. Many people try to get to cover on the busy streets waiting for the storm to pass. People offer their umbrellas or share their small The rain blocks my view, making me more alert of space under a tree my surroundings But others continue journey and sky. push As the clouds rumbleon bytheir in the darkened through the cold. Many people try to get to cover on the busy streets While waiting, thanking one anothwaiting for theothers storm chat, to pass. er for sparing space. People offer their umbrellas or share their small The hidden happiness shows through the space under a tree smiles thatcontinue the storm nojourney longer shield. But others oncan their and push through the cold. The dark dirt under my feetthanking is downgraded into While waiting, others chat, one another nothing for sparing space. And left to be by itself. shows through the smiles The hidden happiness The time you aboutshield. it is when you that only the storm canthink no longer see it on the bottom of your shoe Or atmy thefeet flowers. Thewhen dark you dirt look under is downgraded into It is not spared a glance as hundreds walk on it, nothing ignoring what’s And left to be byaround itself. them. It is only just another The time youthing thinkunthought about it isabout when every you see it day on the bottom of your shoe As if it does even exist. Or when younot look at the flowers. It is not spared a glance as hundreds walk on it, ignoring what’s around them. It is just another thing unthought about every day As if it does not even exist.
WRITTEN BY AVERY HANKEN ARTWORK BY CLAIRE PAPE WRITTEN BY AVERY HANKEN
ARTWORK BY CLAIRE PAPE
10
11
OMaHa filM streams ac
By: Allison Heithoff
on
ve
rge
nc
eo
ff
ilm
an
dc
ult
ure
12
Mainstream movies continue to rise in popularity, reeling in massive profits and neverending crowds. Yet beneath the big names and adored faces associated with the most popular blockbusters lies a forgotten but fundamental admiration for the art of film. Omaha Film Streams strives to unearth this appreciation for film as art by showcasing cinematography in its purest form. Known otherwise as Ruth Sokolof Theater, Omaha Film Streams finds it niche in North Downtown Omaha and functions as a non-profit organization seeking to enhance the culture of the city through its selection of screened films. These films are not your stereotypical blockbusters, but rather independent films, documentaries, and foreign films that premiere in Omaha. While the films themselves and their actors may be unfamiliar to most people, they offer a cinematic experience unique from mainstream theaters. Upon arrival to Ruth Sokolof Theater, an illuminated corner marquee and mural occupy the building’s facade. A small yet cozy lobby welcomes you as you enter, decorated with comfortable places to sit by the window overlooking downtown. A bookshelf lines one wall and above, a looming painting serves as a statement to the appreciation of the art within the theater walls. Beyond the lobby to the left stands a hall with movie posters which lead the way into one of two screening rooms.
lO aNd bEHOlD
reveries of the connected world
The film I chose to go see was a documentary about technology beginning with the birthplace of the internet and spanning multiple facets of its existence in our modern world. Perhaps the most fascinating and somewhat eerie aspect was its prediction of technology’s future implications. One such implication states that in the future it is not unlikely we will be able to tweet a direct thought from our brain. The film also presents the possibility of a complete loss of human interaction over the course of several generations. I can honestly say I have never seen a film remotely similar, making it an overall thrilling and insightful experience.
13
free STuDENT Bring your student ID Mondays on the first Monday of every month for a free ticket.
Visit Omaha Film Streams for a cinematic experience offering unprecedented insight into a style of filmmaking unique to mainstream movies. For a list of current films and showtimes visit: http://www.filmstreams.org/showtimes/
14
the union
by Kayley Anderson
combining art and service in North Omaha
North Omaha is receiving a surge of artistic influence thanks to the Union for Contemporary Art, a nonprofit organization started by Brigette Shew. Shew opened the Union in 2011 after her frustrations with the segregation present in Omaha inspired her to find a way to uplift her community in North Omaha. Coming from the Beamus, an Omaha Art institute that focuses on national and international artists, she knew she wanted to cultivate more local artists and develop the community through art. The Union provides materials and facilities for anyone to use with its co-op program that costs less than ten dollars a month. This co-op also provides access to workshops and classes with local artists. Along with the co-op, the Union also has a six-month fellowship program that allows artists to create work to be displayed in their gallery and form their own artistic style. However, this fellowship isn’t just a free access pass to their resources; artists must also create a service project to help improve North Omaha. Artists have painted murals, taught in schools, and even built a tool library for anyone to rent tools needed.
15
Service is at the heart of the Union’s mission and it shows in their many programs, but is perhaps best showcased in their youth activities. On the weekends children can learn how to paint, draw, and even cook all for free. Shew’s belief that art can help bridge divides and uplift these children struggling through poverty was the driving force behind establishing the program. They also give back to the community through their garden produce which, along with feeding the children who come to them, is donated to local pantries. So if service is your thing or maybe you just want to try out something new, check out the Union; I promise it won’t disappoint.
16
“We wanted to expose them to someone they could relate to, to show them that art was for them.� - Paige Reitz, Director
17
Writing on the Wall a testament to the art of graffiti By; Molly Gubbels
18
As artist Banksy once said, “Art is supposed to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” If you’ve ever taken a walk around Benson or the Old Market, you’ve probably noticed such aforementioned art plastered all over the buildings. While some might deem these colorful masterpieces simple hooliganism, graffiti has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe you’re thinking that you have absolutely no ties to graffiti, but that’s where you’re wrong. That very first day you picked up your Crayola brand
19
crayons and slashed blue and green squiggles all over your parents’ clean white walls, you got a taste for the art of graffiti. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’re walking around at night with a spraycan etching your name into buildings, but nonetheless it remains a piece of your history. Graffiti in and of itself is one of our most beautiful marks as humans. Rather than leaving pollution and debris, we leave behind skyscrapers tattooed with the memories of people whose art was deemed “vandalism.” We
a h w t t b b a t t y
as a human race have a tendency to leave behind scars, but through this mesmerizing artwork, the artists within all of us hold the power to paint the world a different shade in the hopes that one day we might wipe out all the red. Maybe this isn’t something that you thought about before and maybe you’ll never think about it again, but I’ll leave you with the knowledge that the world has handed you an all access pass to an all-encompassing art museum. Let art be your weapon and peace be your war.
20
I could tell you the story of the downtrodden. They were small and little and broken. Left on my puny porch with silent questions and loud tears. Stomachs snarled for sustenance while mouths made not a sound, and frightened eyes watched as my owner slipped into drunken rampages. I had always hated her. She let my roof leak, my steps to succumb to rot, and my wood to warp from water damage. She’d stumble down my corridors while they hid in my rooms. I tried to help: doors jammed, locks fell in place, traps scattered about. I distracted while they hid. Years passed. The downtrodden grew and left while more were left on my porch and I continued to deteriorate. It was two decades before my owner was discovered. They were all taken in a series of red and blue, blaring noise and jubilant cries, sharp voices and outraged howls. The downtrodden ceased to come; my owner didn’t stumble her way down corridors; neighbors didn’t ring my bells to ask what was going on. I was alone. The years passed like centuries after that fateful day. Four years: my roof rained onto the floor. Seven years: a colony of foul fungus inhabits my basement. Eight years: my wood cannot hold the weight of a human. Twelve years: I’m to be demolished. I don’t mind. It’s a pleasant relief from the macabre memories running rampant in my hollow halls.
WRITTEN BY JESSI WESSEL
21
ARTWORK BY MAX KORENSKY
22
Undergroun my quest for Omaha’s best burger By: Tom Hermanek Anyone can make a good burger. Well, almost anyone. The point is, while countless restaurants across the city have burger offerings on their menus, it’s hard to tell which joints are worth their stuff. With careful evaluation, I have found Omaha’s three best burger joints and created a run-down of why they deserve their titles, as well as included highlights from my visit.
1
st
: Block 16, 1611 Farnam St
Meat: phenonemal; perfectly cooked to medium Overall Flavor: Excellent; egg + duck confit aoeli Fries: Flavorful; pulled pork + more duck confit Value: good, especially for downtown (Burgers start at $6) Tasty, creative and well-seasoned burgers earned this downtown eatery its number one spot. Named for its downtown 16th and Farnam location, Block 16 is a small dive-like establishment which has fewer than ten tables and doesn’t boast much space. However, what it lacks in facilities it more than makes up for with its food. Block 16 serves a variety of burgers ranging from the traditional ‘Block Burger’ with everything you’d expect on a traditional cheeseburger to the ‘Croque Garçon’ which features duck confit aioli and a perfectly cooked egg served sunny side up between the patty and the top bun. Other burgers include the ‘Bacon & Brie,’ which is an artistic creation with a cheese you might not expect on top of a patty of red meat. The best of the restaurant’s offerings might be found in the fries section of the menu, however. The ‘Duck Duck Goose’ fries are cut just right and are served with shredded duck meat and duck confit, which is informally known as duck fat. The fries are topped with scallions which add a nice flavor and make for attractive presentation.
23
nd burgers
24
nd
2
: Stella’s, 106 Galvin Rd S
Meat: Thick patty that is cooked just right Overall Flavor: Very good--can’t go wrong with BBQ sauce Fries: Acceptable, though nothing to write home about Value: Great, Burgers around $6.50 This small Bellevue burger joint and bar is worth the 25 minute drive from West Omaha. I think that one of its best qualities is that Stella’s consistently cooks their meat perfectly, and never sacrifices juiciness by overcooking burgers. Although the fries are really nothing special, the burger offerings are. From a burger served with a fried egg on top (always a favorite of mine) to one with barbeque sauce and an onion ring (pictured above), there’s something for everyone at Stella’s Bar & Grill. (Except vegans. Sorry, vegans.)
25
3
rd
: Louie’s Burger Lust
Meat: Just okay--overcooked. A burger shouldn’t be well done. Overall Flavor: Plentiful toppings make for a flavorful burger Onion Rings: They’re onion rings, so they’re great Value: Good. As with the others, Burgers start at $6 Situated in South Omaha in between the Henry Doorly Zoo and Downtown Omaha, Louie’s Burger Lust is a friendly joint that serves good burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes, as well as a full breakfast menu. Patrons will likely have a chance to meet owner Louie Marcuzzo, who is as seasoned in the restaurant business as his burgers are. Louie M’s has the most burger offerings of any of the restaurants reviewed here, and its fries, onion rings and shakes are excellent, not to mention that the toppings of the burgers burst with flavor; however, I personally find myself wishing that the burgers hadn’t been served well done.
26
Memories of nature remembering the earth’s untouched landscapes By: Hope Stratman
27
Travel back in time. Spindly branches and whispering leaves erupt upward into 50-foot tress. Streaks of color splash across the side of a valley, the rock eroded by years of rushing water. Life is as it was hundreds or thousands or millions of years ago: nature in its purest form, uncorrupted by human desires. Welcome to Yellowstone.
This national park exists to preserve some of nature’s most gorgeous spectacles and landmarks that might otherwise be abused or polluted by human use. The little pockets of nature that national parks protect seem to be tucked away, separate from our everyday lives. We get so used to our cities and suburbs; it’s easy to forget that parks like Yellowstone exist, and untouched earth seems like a foreign concept some days. Pure nature has become scarce, unfamiliar to the masses in a word, underground.
But step into a national park and thoughts of city life dissolve into the fresh air. Geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and fumaroles remind Yellowstone visitors of forces churning above and below the earth’s surface. From rolling hills and bison to Old Faithful, there are gorgeous spectacles in every direction. Amidst so many natural features, all one can think to do is stand and marvel - marvel at nature, which seems so rare and underground to us but is nevertheless so ancient, powerful, and breathtaking.
28
“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.� -Jules Renard
29
By: Ava Dreessen To conserve memories beyond old baby books or a long-abandoned social media account, many have instead placed them into the earth, awaiting the chance to be opened with a burst of nostalgia once more. These students took part in creating a time capsule of their own within a lockbox of articles, only to be archived in memory when the pages turn.
CapsulatED in the preservation of the past 30
“I believe that this is the most sought after award of my generation. I am more than honored to have recieved it.” - senior Marcus Judah
“My ring represents my family. My mom got the pearl from Hawaii and made it into a ring for me. there are two diamonds on it that represent my siblings, and then the two waves on the band represent my parents.” - senior Johnna Lowe
“I chose these shoes because they’re an exclusive style, and I waited six months to get them. I love getting the chance to express mself with them.” -sophomore Kelsey Hanna
I chose my bow because it represents music and making music, and I love music. I may not be the world’s greatest cellist, but I love music anyways,”
31
- junior Mikey Figura
“This was my grandpa’s camera and he gave it to my dad. Both of them like taking a lot of pictures. It pretty much sums up my entire childhood in one object.” - senior Melissa Bowers
“I’ve been filling this art book up with my drawings since I was twelve. I like seeing how I’ve progressed as an artist since then.” - sophomore Christina Davis
“It took me a while to figure out what my ‘prized possession’ actually is,” senior Johnna Lowe stated, “but I realized that everything that matters to me the most can be defined in just this little object.”
32
Mystery of the grotto a look at St. Joseph’s unkown grotto BY: Sam Wiegand
This now being my third Quintessence, I realize that I had previously followed the exact same format each time- I have taken the themes very literally. Originally when I heard “underground,” my brain went to sewers. Soon I realized that was an awful idea; I came to a new one. I found out about an little-known place in downtown Omaha, located at 10th and Dorcas. Unbeknownst to me, what I was about to discover had momentous historical background, incredible visuals, and well as being shrouded in mystery.
33
The first thing that was very noticeable: a locked door surrounded by rock, as well as vines and other plant life. After some research, I discovered that this door had only been put up within the last 15 years, as this spot had become a hotspot for shady dealings. It became apparent to me quite soon that this incredible piece of architecture hadn’t been taken care of as well as it should have been.
One of the more interesting little tidbits of the experience was a little statue next to the actual grotto. I have absolutely no clue if it meant anything or if it is significant, but it is definitely neat. Now here is where it gets a bit crazy. A quick circle around the structure from front to back showed something out of a fantasy novel. Neatly placed rocks covered everything. The broken glass caught my eyes instantly - I had to see what was inside. A quick climb showed me something that I could’ve never expected.
The basic story of the grotto as a whole is that St. Joseph’s Hospital, which used to be a place for the mentally ill used to be housed there and is now closed, but they had built a grotto in 1923 as a replica of the grotto in Lourdes, France. A grotto is basically a man-made cave.
34
A quick inspection of both sides revealed that the cracked glass led to the inside of the grotto. Each side had a single light bulb meaning that there is presumably actually power to the inside. Luckily, the hole in the glass was just big enough to fit the camera into to snap a few pictures.
The first thing demanding my attention was the fact that there were stalagmites and a railing, meaning that there must be a railing for people to use to get down to pray. Water must have flown through the grotto to form these extra rock structures. You can also see the sheer amount of dust within this grotto, showing how little use it sees now. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to get inside as the owners don’t take kindly to trespassers.
If you are ever in downtown Omaha with nothing to do and a flashlight I highly recommend going down to 10th and Dorcas, located behind Victory Apartments. It is an incredible sight- I had absolutely no idea anything like this existed in Omaha. This is a must see feature of our town to be sure.
35
36
37
outlier style a stereotype for those who can’t be stereotyped By: Nessa Woosley The underground subculture is about originality and not conforming with society. It feels almost unfair trying to push it into a mold. These denizens are not geeks, jocks, goths, or any typical clique. A name can’t be placed on their clan. Some identifying characteristics of this particular coterie include a common music taste, attitude, and sense of fashion. Typically artistic and expressive in these areas, they stray away from the conventional. Uniqueness infiltrates every aspect of their being. They simply walk around in a way that makes them stand out; who they are and even their name may be unknown, but their presence involuntarily captivates others’ attention. They weren’t “born in the wrong generation” as imitators try to claim, because honestly no time period would make any difference. Outliers like what they like and do what they want despite the surroundings. Teens many times try so hard to mimic their everyday attire in hopes that eventually the mindset will come with it. But no matter to what extent one may go, you either fit in or you don’t. Here, it’s not what you wear or what you listen to. It’s who you are that makes you part of this group. Driving people out or purposely excluding isn’t in their vocabulary- but you’ll know inside whether you belong.
38
Two Weeks IN Germany the places and things I saw on my vacation By: Robert Killgore
When my family and I planned our vacation to Germany, I was very excited. We planned a list of cities and places we would go and what we would see there. One was Eagle’s Nest. It’s a hour and a half long hike to get to the top. Once you get to the top. Once you get there, you can eat, take glorious photos, ride an elevator that Hitler took to get to his summer house there on Eagle’s Nest, and go mountain hikiing. My family and I decided to eat first and then go for a hike. I didn’t expect mountain hiking to be so breathtaking. It was amazing becuase you were walking into the unknown; you didn’t know what was in store for you. The views were so scenic and it felt like going on an awesone adventure. It was my favorite thing I did on the entire trip and my only regret is that we didn’t stay long enough.
39
Another thing that surprised me about Germany was how amazing the new foods I tried in Germany were. My family and I had gelato on the first day of the trip and the delicious flavor really struck me. It was so much better than the ice cream in the states. We decided to have gelato every single day because it was so tasty! It was also a great treat to have after walking up a mountain or around the city for a couple of hours. My favorite kind during my trip was the chocolate chip cookie gelato- it had the perfect amount of cookies and ice cream. You couldn’t even put it into words how good it was! Every time I ate it my day seemed to get infinitely better. I have not had a better dessert or ice cream in my life. My family and I joked about how we would probably be huge ice cream snobs when we got back to Nebraska, like Blue Bunny? I guess I’ll have it... In Germany, I also tried schnitzel- fried, crispy pork that sort of looks like a piece of breaded chicken. My cousin, who was in Germany the whole summer studying aboard, told me that I just had to try it. I did have it a few times and it was very good. The gelato was still better than the schnitzel but it was a good dinner! Overall, the food in Germany was very tasty.
40
Our next city where I saw something really interesting was in Munich. We were walking across a bridge and we saw a tttttton of locks on a fence on the bridge. The locks had names and inscriptions on them: Tom + Stella or Ted + Melissa, just married. I found it pretty cool because I never seen anything like it; it was unique. Another place I enjoyed was a garden called the Garden of the Gods, located in the city called Hanover. What amazed me about this place was how well kept it was. It was so big- I can’t imagine being the landscaper there. You would have to spend so much time keeping the owners happy, mowing lawns, and making sure the garden’s looked amazing everyday. The garden was beautiful and it was a great first stop to see on our trip. During our stay, my family and I toured through a lot of museums and courthouses. One was called the Hanover Historic Courthouse. It had a model of Hanover before and after the U.S bombed the city in World War II, and showed the houses and buildings being torn in half and the entire city decimated. It was an eye-opener for me becuase I got an idea of just how badly a bomb can actually destroy a city. The courthouse also showed what Hanover looked like during the 15th and 16th centuries. After the courthouse visit, we decided to look at a church that is still somewhat intact, half destroyed because of the United States bombings. There was hardly anything left standing. The altar, potraits, and the pews were all ravaged. It was jaw-dropping to see- I was speechless. My trip was better than I thought it would ever be! I learned so much there. Walking through so much history and seeing it come alive was amazing. I hope one day I can go back to Germany.
41
41
Hummel Park a beacon for paranormal activity and omaha storytellers By:Maria Miller
42
The Morphing Steps These steps are one of the most easily accessible places in the park. The legend surrounding them is that if you count them up and down you will get two different numbers. This is obviously against all laws of physics, but when you perform this task firsthand it is easy to see why the numbers vary. The steps are old, unstable, and falling to pieces, so it is hard to tell what should actually count as a full step. Some are splintered off into multiple pieces and some seem to be missing all together. It is also very easy to lose count given that the staircase seems to go on for eternity.
The Ghost of Jacob Clatanoff Jacob was an early settler from Germany who built his home in America near the grounds of Hummel Park before it was established. According to legend, he lived there with his wife until she met another man. Divorce wasn’t a common practice in these times, so the only option for her escape from Jacob was to murder him. It is said that she killed him and buried his body somewhere on the grounds, although nobody matching the description has ever been found. She and her new beau fled the state soon after his disappearance, but Jacob’s apparition still haunts the ground searching for the wife that left him.
43
The Permanently Bowing Trees The legend behind the skewed trees that line the entrance to the park and many of the trails has the darkest background out of all of the Hummel Park legends. While there is little historical proof of these events, it is said that back in the early 1900s, Omaha had a number of horrifyingly racist The Albino Village lynch mobs; they would hang black people from these trees. They still bow today because the The story of the albino village victims’ souls are still dangling from the made an appearance in Hummel branches. Some people who attend the Park around the 1960s. There are park claim that they can still hear many different tales told about them screams late at night. and the only thing that is constant between
stories is murder. Some say that they dwell in the trees and attack their victims from above, while others speculate that they lure people into their various cabins spread across the 200 acre park. There is absolutely no evidence to support these claims, but it is likely the stories came in from Missouri where similar legends are told. I, for one, haven’t a single clue how the creators were able to get it to catch on- but that’s legend.
44
45
His posture Imposed power The weapon Insisted upon it For him Curtly Discharging Gunpowder Down the Precisely cut black barrel Drawn with blood And predestined PTSD When my brother Came back Forcibly Carrying himself With that Power imposing posture His absent weapon Inforcing nothing but dysphoria Anxiety And insomnia Replaced rhubarb with reddened eyes And a rattletrap hand he handed Shane his worn helmet And commended us all to never use it I’m so sick Of apologies And apologizing When I asked you to leave I didn’t mean Forever
WRITTEN BY MARIA MILLER ARTWORK BY JOSH SCHMIDT
46
skuttcatholicflightline.com