New Horizons
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
Celebrating 50 Years
March 2025 | Vol. 50 | No. 3
New Horizons celebrates 50 years of service
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By Ron Petersen hat seemed to have started off as an informational newsletter, turned into a monthly newspaper in Omaha. The New Horizons is celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a reflection of the coverage for the past five decades. The newspaper started off by displaying local events, encouraging local people to volunteer and highlighted different programs presented by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA). Originally published in 1975 by Walt Hower, Ken Burrows, and the other ENOA directors, the newspaper was later edited by skilled journalist, Andy Bradley, who took on the role in 1980. “What I liked about the New Horizons was that I was able to do everything. I liked the business side, the writing, editing and dealing with the production of the newspaper,” Bradley said. “I liked doing it all.” For four years, Bradley took on every task thrown his way when it came to running a monthly newspaper, which included the production of the newspaper. The original letterpress used to feature 45-pound lead plates, which was used to print on paper. The process, however, was laborintensive, yet routine. “Putting together a newspaper was a challenge,” former New Horizons editor, Jeff Reinhardt said.” Each individual letter and punctuation mark had to be printed and arranged and set into a form. Setting each page — including loading the press, inking the type, and pulling the impressions — would take half a
day. You would then start the process all over again — and again, and again — as each book could have hundreds of pages. “Even though it took a lot of time, I enjoyed putting it all together,” Bradley said. In 1984, Bob Whitmore took over as editor. Not only did Whitmore have experience in journalism, but Whitmore also had a photography background, which helped the New Horizons bring abstract visuals that were pleasing to the eye, which it did not have before. “One of the things I wanted to do was be more visual with the paper every month. I loved to take pictures, and I tried to do artistic photography,” Whitmore said. “It was enjoyable to be able to photograph different older adults with cool backgrounds. I do remember doing a story on a guy who was an ice carver. He would carve these ice sculptures that would be displayed at major events. It was amazing to see this guy start with a block of ice and turn it into something really cool. I tried to come back with good photography from
every assignment.” One of Whitmore’s goals as editor was to expand the presence in Omaha and to make as many connections as possible, which helped the newspaper grow. “The thing I remember the most is the interactions I had with people and who we covered in the newspaper,” Whitmore said. “Being able to tell their story on the day the paper came out was pretty great. You are doing a job and working toward something every month, and when you finish it, you have something to show for it.” Not only did Whitmore have an advertising sales representative, another photographer and a delivery person, but he was able to have an intern gain journalism experience through his connection with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. “We were able to get a paid internship for a UNO student — they would act as a normal journalist and help us with layout as well. We were able to bring journalism students together with the older folks in the newspaper. It was really cool,” Whitmore said. “Interns brought new ideas and a
fresh approach to the newspaper. They were really into it and would go out and do in-depth stories.” In 1988, Whitmore took a new position at ENOA as the Communications Director, leaving the door open for Jeff Reinhardt to take the editor position. Reinhardt took everything that Bradley and Whitmore had started and expanded the newspaper as a comprehensive package of information, entertainment and advertising. “Content wise, I tried to expand our relationship with UNO and UNMC. I wanted to do more stories about what they were doing, gerontology wise. I wanted to work with experts in the community that know about different subjects,” Reinhardt said. “I definitely expanded partnerships.” Not only did the New Horizons continue to gain popularity around town, but the newspaper gained contributing writers, including Leo Biga, Nick Shinker and Nancy Hemeseth, just to name a few. “The quality of stories got better thanks to Leo, Nick and Nancy,” Reinhardt said.
Reinhardt saw the New Horizons and the newspaper industry evolve over the 34 years as editor. Over time, the New Horizons and ENOA moved locations and the newspaper went from 32 pages to a 16page newspaper. “Every newspaper has experienced adversity over time, but luckily for the New Horizons, we have made enough connections over time to continue to be in thousands of homes,” Reinhardt said. When Reinhardt retired in 2022, there were questions about whether or not ENOA would send out a newspaper. But a couple of months later, ENOA hired Ron Petersen as the next New Horizons editor. “It’s been an honor being able to produce a newspaper after the editors who came before me,” Petersen said. “I am happy to be at the head of an informative, yet resourceful newspaper for those looking for answers, content and news. Happy anniversary New Horizons.” Letters from the editors is on page 8 and 9.