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Original Omaha Treats by Tim Trudel

Reuben, Butter Brickle Ice Cream Are Original Omaha Treats

t’s easy to imagine several

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Imen sitting around a table in the early 1900s, dealing cards in a room heavy with cigar smoke, whiskey in half-drank shot glasses, and vulgar words being exchanged between some of Omaha’s elite. It was on such a night of playing poker in 1925, likely with lots of cash wagered on the table, Reuben Kulakofsky told the kitchen staff at the Blackstone Hotel he wanted something different to eat. Charles Schimmel’s Blackstone Hotel.

The Blackstone has an interest-

ing history, itself. While home to the Reuben, the upper-class hotel served as a home for wealthy socialites, as well as celebrities and dignitaries. During its time, the hotel has hosted three men who would become American presidents – John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, and Ronald Reagan. Nixon announced his second campaign for President of the United States at the Blackstone Hotel. Other celebrities staying at the hotel included Omaha native and two-time Oscar winner Marlon Brando.

Looking around the kitchen, the chef – Bernard Schimmel, son of the hotel’s owner - decided to create a new, unique sandwich. Taking corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, he added a layer of Russian dressing on two slices of rye bread and pressed it. Viola! The Reuben sandwich was born.

Now, you’ll find New Yorkers claim it was invented at a deli there - of course, it’s a deli tradition and favorite - but, Nebraskans are confident that the Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha. Where the sandwich was invented has been debated for nearly a century, but Omahans are confident it was invented at The hotel, itself, went through a series of changes after Schimmel’s ownership. Radisson Hotels once owned it, before it became home to a series of business offices, including Kiewit Construction, an Omaha-based Fortune 500 company. Today, the home of the Reuben is the Kimpton Cottonwood, an upscale boutique hotel.

Now that you know the Reuben was invented at the historic Blackstone Hotel, where can you enjoy a Reuben in Omaha? It seems almost any restau-

Reuben, Butter Brickle Ice Cream Are Original Omaha Treats

rant that serves sandwiches also serves a Reuben. Even, some fast food chains serve it.

But, if you want to enjoy a delicious Reuben sandwich, you must return to the scene of the sandwich. Or, at least across the street. The Crescent Moon proudly serves what many Omahans believe is the best Reuben sandwich in town. Long noted for its delicious taste, the Crescent Moon uses corned beef from Omaha Steaks, cooking it all day until it’s tender and flaky. Along with seasoned sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, the corned beef is placed on marble rye bread with Thousand Island dressing and sent through the kitchen’s sandwich toaster, melting the cheese and perfectly toasting the bread. The first bite usually melts in your mouth, with a nice chunk of meat and warm sauerkraut.

While the Crescent Moon serves the best Reuben in Omaha, owner Bill Baburek takes the restaurant’s love for corned beef even further. Each fall, Crescent Moon hosts Reubenfest, with all things Reuben on the menu. Reuben pizza. Reuben egg rolls. Reuben soup - potato soup with chunks of corned beef. Amazing! The egg rolls, served with a Thousand Island dipping sauce, were so popular (3,000 sold during Reubenfest) that they were added to the menu full-time a few years ago. You’ll need to place your order early, as each day’s menu tends to sell out quickly.

While Crescent Moon may be flower Creamery for a take on another Omaha original - butter brickle ice cream. While the candy was invented in South Dakota or Iowa, butter brickle ice cream was invented in the Big O, again at the Blackstone Hotel.

Coneflower Creamery works with locally-sourced ingredients, so each ice cream dish is freshly made. Open since 2017, the Blackstone District parlor is located inside a small brick building, so plan to get your cone or dish to go. You’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll while you savor the texture and sweetness of the butter brickle ice cream.

known for having the best Reuben in town, other eateries offer outstanding sandwiches. Downtown’s Wilson and Washburn (named for Omaha’s 1800s madams Anne Wilson and Josie Washburn, once her “best girl”) serves a delicious Reuben. Offering its own take on the Omaha classic, Wilson and Washburn’s Reuben is made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and beet horseradish dressing on Russian rye bread. Served with fries or beet chips, it’s another savory Reuben option. Nothing tops off a hearty meal like dessert, so head over to Cone-

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Small Ohio Towns Tell

Let’s begin in Sugarcreek, where you can dance along with the Oompah-pah band of the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. The big timepiece was built in 1972. Its original location was a restaurant named Alpine-Alpa in Wilmot known as the “Cuckoo Clock Capital of America.” In 2010, the 24-foot-tall clock was moved to Sugarcreek, which is known as “The Little Switzerland of Ohio,” as a donation from Walnut Creek Cheese. Discover the roots of the community at the Alpine Hills Museum and marvel at the artistry of the Brick Wall Sculpture, which illustrates the tales of life in this scenic, Swiss heritage village. When you are ready to eat, enjoy local flavors at Park Street Pizza, Dutch Valley Restaurant, or Amish Country Donuts, to name just a few of the local Sugarcreek favorites.

Bolivar stories go back to the construction of Fort Laurens- Ohio’s only Revolutionary War Fort. Learn the drastic measures the brave soldiers took to serve on the Ohio frontier at this volatile time. After taking in the history, enjoy browsing the antique shops in downtown Bolivar and feed your appetite at Canal Street Diner or Sublime Smoke. If you are ready for a cold brew, stop by Lockport Brewery and enjoy a handcrafted beer.

National Historic Landmark District, Historic Zoar Village has a big story to share! Known as America’s most successful Communal Society, residents began to call Zoar home in 1817 as residents arrived seeking religious freedom. Enjoy the architecture of the original brick and timber structures, the museums, bakery, and large garden. With special events throughout the year, you may even want to visit during one of their special event ghost tours to hear from one of the original residents! Hungry visitors will enjoy the tasty fare at Donnie’s Tavern or the Tin Shop Coffee House.

Dover has a downtown filled with friendly merchants and locally owned diners- not to mention a hand-crafted candy store, a cupcake shop, and several that provide offerings for your home! When ready to explore, stop by Riverfront Park to ride the artistically created swing or try your arm on their disc golf course! The museum offerings include an original Victorian Home, J. E. Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum; a museum sharing the life story of a master carver, the Warther Museum and Gardens; a museum mentioned in Ripley’s Believe It or Not that tells of stories of those who have passed at the Famous Endings Museums. Don’t leave without a sweet treat from Sugarfuse Bakery or enjoy a meal at Pangrazio’s, Mindy’s Diner, or El Pueblito Mexican Bistro. Dover has more than enough to do for a day or a few!

Travelers looking to add to their wardrobe will enjoy the shops in downtown New Philadel-

Ohio Towns Tell Big Stories the first Christian settlement in Ohio. Established by David Zeisberger, it is also the site of the first Ohio schoolhouse. The village, restored to appear as it did more than two centuries ago, includes the original cemetery and 16 reconstructed log structures, as well as the church and gardens. A visitor center with museum and introductory video will help orient you so that you can experience the village as if you were in the past. After you visit the museum, walk to the local café, Tents of Grace, and browse the home accessory shop just down the block, too. Have you traveled to Dreamsville lately? Discover Dennison and take a tour of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum to learn about this famous song’s tie to this Tuscarawas County community and the importance of this iconic American railroad depot. While you are there, enjoy a meal at the onsite Over the Rail diner, too. Visit Uhrichsville and learn the tales preserved in the Uhrichsville Clay Museum which shares pieces of folk art and stories from American industrialization. Does an afternoon at a water park sound like a cool idea? Don’t miss the Uhrichsville Water Park for a good time with the whole family! Within the scenic rolling hills of the county are grand arts adventures, farm markets, trails, rock climbing, dog parks, and ice cream. Tuscarawas County is located in the heart of Appalachian Ohio and is the gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country. You will be warmly welcomed on your next visit for an extended weekend getaway. Sleep comfortably in one of the many clean lodging options! Visit www. TravelTUSC.com, or call 800-527-3387 for more information.

phia whose merchants offer styles for the whole family. With cafes, restaurants, bookstores, and art galleries, you will enjoy this city and its many boldly colored murals. Enjoy a live performance at the Performing Art Center located on the campus of Kent State University at Tuscarawas. Their show season is filled with favorites, headline acts, and even those lesser known, too. Historic Schoenbrunn Village is located on the east end of the city and tells the stories of David Zeisberger and his efforts to share Christianity with Delaware Indians. Downtown New Philadelphia is a food paradise with numerous local dining stops to please every craving – you won’t be leaving hungry!

Schoenbrunn Village was founded in 1772 as a Moravian mission among the Delaware Indians. It is the site of several Ohio firsts. For one, it was

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BOWLING GREEN - A brand new wine festival is coming to town! The Visit Bowling Green Ohio Convention and Visitors Bureau and Ohio Wine Producers Association have joined together to host the First Annual V.I.N.O. (Vintners in Northwest Ohio) Wine Festival on Saturday, October 8, 2022. This celebration of fine wine and great food in Northwest Ohio will also offer shopping, music, and fun from 1 – 7 p.m. at the Wood County Fair Grounds. As many as 20 different wineries are expected to participate in pouring the various reds, whites, blushes, fruit and dessert wines. More than 1000 attendees are expected to come through the doors of this first-ever event.

Expect delicious food options to complement the wines available for sale. Other vendors will offer a wide range of shopping items. There will be wine education sessions for novices as well as connoisseurs along with live entertainment throughout the day. Ticket prices are as follows: General admission is $40 in advance and $45 at the door. VIP admission (limit-300) $50 advance only. [VIP tickets include a special name tag, an extra tasting of one limited production, award-winning wine at each participating winery, a wine and food pairing wheel plus gift coupons to visit wineries following the festival] For tickets or more information, contact Kat Patterson 217 S. Church St., Bowling Green, OH 43402 419-353-9445 https://visitbgohio.org/ • V.I.N.O. Wine Festival • Saturday, October 8, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Wood County Fair Grounds; 13800 West Poe Road,

Bowling Green, OH, 43402 United States (map)

Buckeye Winery, Newark Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar, Urbana Firelands Winery, Sandusky Gillig Winery, Findlay

Lincoln Way Vineyards, Wooster

Myla Marcus Winery, Bowling Green

Urban Pine Winery, Maumee

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Alaska Native Culture Tours

When planning an Alaska vacation, learning more about the state’s 11 distinct Alaska Native cultures gives travelers a better understanding and appreciation of those who have inhabited the land for 10,000 years. They remain a living and dynamic part of every community, with Alaska Native-owned operators, tours, and experiences awaiting travelers throughout the state.

MUSEUMS & CULTURAL CENTERS

More than 60 museums and cultural centers across the state provide great insight into the history of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples through one-of-a-kind exhibits. These are a few examples of museums and cultural centers travelers can add to their Alaska itineraries.

Take a tour of life-sized village sites, watch Alaska Native dance performances and games, listen to Alaska Native stories, watch films, and view exhibits at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

Visit the Anchorage Museum and view its “Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage” and “Alaska” exhibits.

Visit the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau for Southeast Alaska cultural exhibits, art, and a Tsimshian cedar clan house.

Admire an invaluable collection of some of the world’s oldest totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan.

Participate in workshops on topics like Alaska Native art, woodworking, weaving, song and dance, and more at Glacier Bay’s Huna Tribal House. Learn about Alaska’s Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people, art, subsistence, and language at the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak. Discover Alaska’s Interior through exhibits, films, performances, and events at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks.

Learn about Alaska’s Iñupiaq people at the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Utqiaġvik, the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue and the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum in Nome.

CULTURAL TOURS & EXPERIENCES

On a Cape Fox Tour, view totem poles, observe Alaska Native carvers using traditional tools and techniques, and watch Alaska Native dance performances at the Saxman Native Village in Southeast Alaska. Explore Ketchikan and meet Alaska Native artists alongside Where the Eagle Walks Owner Joe Williams, the first Tlingit Native to be elected as Ketchikan Borough Mayor and City of Saxman Mayor.

Embark on a tour of historical Sitka, visit Sitka National Historical Park, and watch a traditional Tlingit dance performance in a community house with Sitka’s Tribal Tours. Owned by the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people who have inhabited Kodiak Island for over 7,000 years, admire Alaska’s beautiful wilderness at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge. In Utqiaġvik, discover firsthand the lifestyles of Alaska’s Iñupiaq peoples on a tour of the village with a local host on a day or overnight trip with Northern Alaska Tour Company or Tundra Tours.

On board many cruise ships in Glacier Bay or at Glacier Bay Lodge, enjoy interpretive and educational programs like lectures, storytelling, singing, and displays of traditional art through Huna Totem Corporation’s Alaska Native Voices program.

Discover more of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures on a visit to Alaska Native rural towns, villages, and communities through Alaskan Dream Cruises.

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