New Horizons PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
July 2024 | Vol. 49 | No. 7
Musician utilizes musical gifts to spread joy, social awareness from coast to coast
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By Ron Petersen y 2014, Michael Murphy had made a name for himself in the music industry. While it wasn’t easy getting to the point to be an opening act for Neil Young, Murphy with his many musical talents, made the big time. “I opened the concert with the flute. People flocked in and started to come to the stage,” Michael Murphy said. “It was a huge moment – I never did it for the money and I still don’t.” Omaha native, Michael Murphy, grew up playing multiple instruments including the piano, guitar and the Native American flute. Murphy started playing the piano when he was a 6-year-old, broke out the guitar in the seventh grade and then found his way to the flute when he made a wooden flute with his son. “When my son was in kindergarten, the homework was to do a craft with mom and dad, to get us involved with their education. I wanted to make a dreamcatcher with my son, to make sure he learned about Native American culture. But on the last page of the book, was how to make a flute,” Murphy said. “We
used a wood shop to build this flute and when I blew into it, I immediately thought I could hear my mom sing. There was a connection – it evolved, and it became what it is today.” As Murphy progressed through life, he learned that music was going to be where he’d find his niche. “I love playing music – I’ve played at weddings, wedding rehearsals, colleges and at war protests,” Murphy said. “It’s all been
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fun.” During the time of the Vietnam War, Murphy didn’t get drafted, but tried to get involved back in the United States. “I was just some guy playing music at VA homes and VA hospitals,” Murphy said. “I wanted to help spread peace, love and kindness.” Instead of going to war, Murphy took his flute and musical talents to the streets of Washington D.C. in protest of the war.
“I went to perform at the National Indian Museum for a small presentation and I opened up for Neil Young at The National Mall,” Murphy said. “They had me go play the flute here and there, and I had no clue where I was supposed to be. My music was on the news every night, so I did enjoy a couple minutes of fame.” Murphy traveled around the country performing and leading different protests. Murphy was involved with the Whiteclay Advisory Committee, a group of activists concerned about alcoholism on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and about the sale of alcohol on the border of the reservation in the town of Whiteclay. Along with Canupa Gluha Mani, he performed and produced the music for The Battle for Whiteclay, a documentary about the Whiteclay issue. Murphy has been featured at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, the Avoca Iowa Folk Festival, and the Lincoln Plainsong Festival. He frequently works with Winnebago leader, Frank LaMere, on the Whiteclay issue and in 2015 recorded a song with LaMere about --Murphy continued on page 8.
Tom Kealy competes in 17th Iowa Senior Games
T Benefiting from escape rooms
Most escape room puzzles require creative problem-solving to progress through the game. This mental activity helps players to sharpen those skills, which can greatly benefit your personal life. Learn more about escape rooms on Page 16.
By Ron Petersen he aerobic nature of swimming, like other forms of aerobic exercise, increases the endorphins and other chemicals in the brain that decreases stress and anxiety levels. However, it’s not just the physiological response in our brain that adds to our sense of inner peace in the pool. “It’s not just about the physical aspect, but it’s about the mental part of swimming,” Iowa Senior Games competitor, Tom Kealy said. “Getting out and getting in the pool is great for exercise — I try to get people to swim because you feel good when you get done. The pool is a great place to do rehab in as well.” Before competing in his first Iowa Senior Games at 50-years-old, Tom Kealy’s love for swimming started when he was 9.
After learning how to swim at the Town and Country Aqua Club, the Council Bluffs native went onto compete in the pool at Abraham Lincoln High School and college at South Dakota State University. Years later, the 68-year-old moved back to Council Bluffs and found himself at a swim meet, which is where he found his love for swimming again. He started swimming in Council Bluffs when he was 9 at the Town and Country Aqua Club, where he and his friends learned how to swim. “I fell in love with it again — it gives you a good reason to work out and it feels good to get out there every day,” Kealy said. “You feel so much better when you are done.” In June, Kealy took his talents in the pool and competed in his 17th --Kealy continued on page 6.