PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
New Horizons Celebrating 50 Years
July 2025 | Vol. 50 | No. 7
John and Viv Ewing embark on new leadership path with his historic election as mayor
By Leo Adam Biga ith his historic May 13 election as Omaha’s first Black mayor John Ewing Jr. ushered in “a new chapter” in the city he’s always called home. A familiar face in local public service circles, he enjoyed a long career with the Omaha Police Department before becoming Douglas County Treasurer. He’s been an Empowerment Network leader and prolific nonprofit board member. Wife Viv Ewing has been at his side on the campaign trail, on election night and in the community as his number one fan and adviser. Reaching the heights of city politics is just the latest accomplishment for this power couple who delight in each other’s successes and do everything as a team. As First Lady, Viv will have her husband’s ear. “I have a lot of background to bring to bear however that might be needed,” she said. “Yeah, I’ll certainly be available for anything John might need. I’ll make myself available to help in any way that I can providing any kind of sound advice that I can offer.”
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COURTESY PHOTO Mayor Ewing’s chief of staff Thomas Warren, a lifetime friend and former OPD colleague, said the couple remind him of Barack and Michele Obama. “John is blessed to have such a successful confidante that will motivate and encourage him while providing him with the
love and support necessary in order for him to be able to thrive in such a high profile position.” A fellow Omaha native, Viv’s filled executive roles in corporate and nonprofit spaces and has her own strategic consultancy. Together with their daughters, Christina and
Alexandria, both Omaha professionals who pitched in during the campaign, the tight-knit family form Team Ewing, whose strong bond is built on faith and service rooted in home and community. “We really felt the effort was worth it for this community because this is home,” said John. “We’ve always been committed to doing whatever we can to make home better. That’s not to say Omaha’s not a great place because I believe it is. But that’s why we’ve stayed committed.” Said Viv. “That’s absolutely right. We saw this as a community win across Omaha – north, south, east, west – because all sectors of the community that helped us get here.” Speaking to that broad-based consensus, Mayor Ewing said, “We are in this together.” A Democrat, his decisive (57 to 43 percent) victory over three-term incumbent Republican Jean Stothert made national news, for among other reasons, educating the country that there are Black people in --Ewings continued on page 9.
Senior centers plays an important role in Nebraska
The power of table tennis for older adults
Regular table tennis has beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance and body composition, and is a potent activity to improve health in older adults. Learn more about table tennis in Omaha on Page 16.
By Ron Petersen delay the onset of chronic disease and experience measurable imSenior centers, recognized by provements in their physical, social, the Older Americans Act (OAA) as spiritual, emotional, mental, and a community focal point, are one economic well-being. of the most widely used services “Senior centers are often taiamong older adults in the United lored to meet the diverse needs of States. This is still the case today, older adults, offering a welcoming while over a dozen senior centers serve more than 10,000 older adults environment where participants can thrive socially, physically, and in the Omaha metro area. emotionally,” Eastern Nebraska According to studies, the NaOffice on Aging (ENOA) Nutrition tional Council on Aging (NCOA) Services Division Director, Allison said older adults who participate in Adrian said. “People should go to senior center programs experience senior centers for social interaction, better psychological well-being health and wellness, educational across several measures compared opportunities, access to services, to non-participants, including: recreational activities, volunteer and • Higher levels of health leadership roles, mental and emo• Increased social interaction tional well-being, affordable meals • Greater life satisfaction and respite for caregivers.” Seventy-five percent of particiSenior centers connect older pants visit their center one to three adults to vital community services times per week and spend an averthat can help them stay healthy, acage of 3.3 hours per visit. tive and independent. Research shows older adults One of the ENOA’s participants who participate in senior center --Senior Centers continued on page 4. programs can learn to manage and