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BELOVED BOOKS Some stay with you for a lifetime

VOLUME 10 · ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY

ATTACHMENTS How three simple words can touch a life

2019

SHARE THE LOVE Easy Valentine’s Day treats and crafts

Boys Town Speech-Language Therapy

Helping

Children Succeed

All parents want their children to succeed. If you are concerned about your childâ€™s speech-language development, Boys Town Speech-Language Therapy can help. Our speech-language therapists work with children and families to address a range of communication concerns. If you think your child may be experiencing problems, schedule a communication evaluation today. Boys Town Speech-Language Therapy Boys Town Pediatrics 6517 South 180 Street 531.355-.5059

Boys Town Medical Campus - Downtown Lied Learning & Technology Center 425 N 30 Street 531.355-.5059

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KILEY CRUSE

CONTENTS

REAL MOMS + ADVICE

SEASONAL

3 Editorâ€™s Column 5 On Our Radar 6 Momaha Bookshelf 20 Get Organized 22 Be Well 32 Tactile Play

10 Oreo Pops 14 Valentine Boxes 24 Pitaya Bowls 28 Groundhog Cupcakes

SPONSORED FEATURES 4 Huntington Learning Center 9 Boys Town National Research Hospital 12 Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties 18 Marian High School 26 YMCA of Greater Omaha 30 University of Nebraska Medical Center

momaha where moms connect

VOLUME 10 . ISSUE 2 . FEBRUARY 2019 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director + designer KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

copy editor SHELLEY LARSEN shelley.larsen@owh.com 402-444-1143

momaha.com editor ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

content contributors AMY TOKOS JESSICA THOMPSON HEIDI HOFFMAN

Show SOME

Love! REGISTER NOW ONCE-A WEEK LESSONS MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING & SAT. MORNING TIMESLOTS AVAILABLE

cover photo Styling J E NA CRUSE P h o t o g r a p hy K I L E Y C R U S E

account manager L AURE N KRUGE R lauren.kruger@owh.com 402-444-1261

account executive DEBORAH FERNSELL deborah.fernsell@owh.com 402-444-1209

account executive E M I LY M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411

account executive M A R I LY N M A R T I N marilyn.martin@owh.com 402-444-1405

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2019 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

February 2019

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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR // ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald. Mom to Sam and Elliott. Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

DIVE INTO A BOOK WHILE WAITING FOR SPRING

know February can be a tough month. Everyone is ready to leave winter far, far behind. We can’t wait to see those first hints of spring popping up everywhere come March. To help keep my kids busy, we’ve started venturing to lots of indoor play areas. They get to run around and meet other kids, and I get to sit on the sidelines with a cup of coffee and a good book. We’ve made going to the library a nearly weekly activity this winter. Both of my kids have their own library cards, and we let them pick out a few books to take home each trip. It keeps bedtime fun and interesting when we have something new to read. As a kid, I loved reading. It was my absolute favorite pastime. I hope to instill a love of books in my children through our daily read-aloud sessions.

I think it’s working. Often times, their “toy” of choice for the car ride each day is a book. And when they’re both being too quiet, it’s often because they’re sitting in their rooms, flipping through their books. One of my favorite series from when I was younger is “The Enchanted Forest Chronicles” by Patricia C. Wrede. Hilarious and lighthearted, it’s about an unconventional princess doing things her own way. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to read it to my kids someday. We asked a few Omahans about their favorite childhood books. Check out their picks on page 6. Hang in there! Before you know it, we’ll be in the thick of Nebraska’s summer heat. But until then, maybe pick up a good book set in that most wonderful — and hottest — time of year.

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SPONSORED FEATURE // HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

Assessment success Prepare your child for the evaluation, Huntington Learning Center says TEXT Mary Rooney, Ph.D.

hat happens when your child needs an assessment for academic challenges or ADHD symptoms? Many parents worry that their child will find the evaluation process intimidating or wonder whether their child will think they are being tested because something is “wrong” with them. Other parents have concerns about how their overly active, distractible or anxious child will tolerate the testing – especially if their child struggles to stay on task under normal circumstances. The good news is that the psychologists and educators who conduct these assessments have experience working with kids who have academic and attention problems. The positive one-on-one attention that your child receives during the evaluation will help make it go smoothly – and maybe even be fun for your child. As a parent, here are some things you can do to set your child up for assessment success. • Work with a professional you like and respect. If you respect and enjoy the psychologist or educator who is conducting the evaluation,

there’s a good chance that your child will, too. Kids pick up on social cues from their parents, and if you seem to be at ease with the process, your child will feel more relaxed. • Discuss your concerns with the professional. Ask the professional conducting the evaluation what types of strategies are used to help kids like yours have a positive evaluation experience. If you have suggestions for what might help, let the professional know. Some of the same strategies might be used during their testing sessions. • Create positive expectations for your child. Let your child know that you’ve met with the doctor

(or educator), and you really enjoyed meeting with them. Tell your child that you think they’ll like the doctor/ educator too, and that you think they’ll have fun during the appointments. • Focus on learning styles. When talking to your child about the evaluation, describe it as a process that will help figure out how he or she learns best. Everyone learns differently. For example, some kids learn best by watching a demonstration of how something is done, others learn best by reading, while others learn best in a handson way – by doing things. In addition, let your child know that it will help everyone

understand which subjects are harder and easier for your child, and how people can help your child be successful in the more challenging areas. • Even resistant kids can enjoy the process. If your child resists going to an evaluation appointment, try not to worry. Just because your child might not want to go doesn’t mean that he’ll have a bad experience once there. I’ve had plenty of kids and teens come into my office reluctant or even upset about having to attend the appointment. But once we get to know each other, the kids settle in and forget that they didn’t want to come. Usually they are happy to come back for a follow-up appointment. After all, it’s not often that kids get so much uninterrupted time from an adult so interested in what they have to say! Assessments can be powerful tools for learning about your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and the things you can do to help them succeed academically. Proactive and positive communication before and after the assessment are key to helping your child feel comfortable so you can both get the most out of the evaluation process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Center. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, algebra through calculus, chemistry and other sciences. Huntington offers prep for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

February 2019

ON OUR RADAR // EDITOR’S PICKS New and Momaha-tested too!

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

SWEET DREAMS NINTENDO LABO

POP GOES THE COW “Poke-A-Dot! Old MacDonald’s Farm” is an engaging, tactile book that’s a fun way to introduce kids to counting. The book includes 10 spreads with 30 pokeable dots kids can press as they count. Our reviewer’s 2-year-old and 4-year-old absolutely love this book and the satisfying pop each dot makes. The farm animal graphics are a cute bonus. $15.99; innovativekids.com

Looking for ways to keep your kids happy and engrossed? Try the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Variety Kit, which offers five projects to construct. There are cars, a fishing rod, a house, a motorbike and a piano. Each one is made of cardboard cutouts that come to life with a Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers. Video tutorials lead the players through the entire process. Kids can customize with stickers, markers, paint or wherever their imagination takes them. $69.99, Target.com

The Syntus portable aromatherapy essential oil diffuser is compact and has a large water capacity to spread aromas throughout large rooms. It also has an automatic shutoff so you can use it all night without worrying about burning out the diffuser. Our reviewer enjoys adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water to help everyone in the family sleep better at night. Her kids especially enjoy the seven LED colored lights the diffuser cycles through. $16.99, Amazon.com

EASY CUT The impressive knives in the Viking Pakka Wood Steak Knife Set are large and heavy but well-balanced, with a 5-inch serrated steel blade. They feel substantial, are very sharp and are high quality without being overly expensive. The black Pakka wood handles are comfortable in your hand. They come with a storage box small enough to fit in a silverware drawer. $79.95, Amazon.com

PERFECT FOR ROASTING Our reviewer couldn’t pass up this three-ply stainless steel roasting pan with a nonstick rack from Viking. She loved that it’s stainless steel, so it didn’t react with the food, and is dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean. Clad with three layers that extend up the sides, it’s constructed to get consistent results no matter what’s on the menu. It’s stovetop-safe, including on induction cooktops, so the pan is perfect for searing a chuck roast, or making a pan sauce after you remove a turkey or roast to rest. $350, everythingkitchens.com

MOMAHA BOOKSHELF

STORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME TEXT Marjie Ducey

ooks can play a pivotal role in our childhood. Some have an impact that stays with a reader for years. Others become beloved classics shared with our own little ones. We asked a few people about a book that impacted their lives. Their answers were classics, too. FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E.L. Konigsburg From Erin Alarcón, a principal dancer with American Midwest Ballet

When I was around 8 years old, I remember peeking into my older sister’s backpack and seeing lots of books. The title of one in particular grabbed my attention – “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” I took the book out, found a corner of the couch and started reading. I poured through the pages until I had to go to bed, where I promptly turned on my bedside light and continued reading. I had always enjoyed reading, but this was the first time I fell in love with it. E.L. Konigsburg’s writing drew me in with her clever wit and lovable characters. I was on the adventure right alongside Claudia and Jamie Kincaid. It was an adventure not in a faraway land but in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, a simple train ride away from my childhood home in New Jersey. An adventure I could imagine myself on. I read this book hundreds of times, and I don’t think it ever did return to my sister. Over the years I have tried to pinpoint my love for this

February 2019

Erin Alarcón

story, and I think it comes down to one passage that reads, “The adventure is over. Everything gets over, and nothing is ever enough. Except the part you carry with you.” This book taught me to enjoy the journey and be truly present in the moment because it’s your memories that keep each of your adventures alive. I’ve taken this lesson with me in life and on the stage, keeping pieces of each role with me. As a new mom I am looking forward to again experiencing the adventures found in not only this book but many others with my son.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM by Dr. Seuss From Thomas Wilkins, Omaha Symphony conductor I loved the persistence, and the “try every possibility’’ essence of the questions. And the assuredness of the answers. As I grew older, I came to appreciate not only the poetry itself, but the musical rhythms in each verse.

WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls From Dr. Mark Rupp, Division of Infectious Diseases at UNMC Just thinking about “Where the Redfern Grows” by Wilson Rawls brings a mist to my eyes. This tear-jerker was written in 1961 and is set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The main character is a young boy named Billy who works for two years doing odd jobs to save enough money to purchase a pair of coonhounds named Old Dan and Little Ann. The boy and his dogs form a loving and highly successful hunting team that experiences all kinds of adventures. The themes of this story run very deep and include the value of persistence, perseverance and hard work; how love and loyalty triumph over adversity; and the importance of family, personal sacrifice, and acts of kindness and goodwill.

LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch From Nicole Brungardt, U.S. bobsled team I remember getting it read to me a lot, but I think it was more what my parents said during it. I knew deep down, no matter what, no matter where life took me or what I did, they would love me forever and that is the greatest thing a child could know. I remember in college my dad vividly saying there is nothing I could do that would stop him from loving me and it was just an extension of hearing it when I was young.

MIKE MULLIGAN AND MORE: A VIRGINIA LEE BURTON TREASURY by Virginia Lee Burton From Lindy Hoyer, executive director of Omaha Children’s Museum A favorite author of mine is Virginia Lee Burton, and the book I loved was “Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel.” It was often featured on “Captain Kangaroo,” a show I watched as a child. A friend gave me a four-book anthology of Burton’s when I was pregnant with my son. It included “Mike Mulligan” and three other stories. What ended up becoming my new favorite as a mother was her story “The Little House.” My son begged to have it read to him for many years, and I now make it my standard gift to other new mothers to read to their children. I loved all those stories in the anthology because each featured a main character who was a strong, independent and bright female, and my son learned to expect and respect those behaviors in women at a very early age.

HARRY THE DIRTY DOG by Gene Zion From Dr. Cheryl Logan, superintendent of Omaha Public Schools “Harry the Dirty Dog” was the first book I could read on my own. With its colorful pages and elaborate illustrations, the book pulled me right in. I’ve always been a dog person, so I was eager to learn more about this Harry, a white dog with black spots all over. Within the first several pages, it was evident Harry hated taking baths and would go to great lengths to avoid them. He left home to head out on an adventure one day. Along the way, he discovered lots of places to get dirty. Before long, Harry was so dirty he looked more like a black dog with only a few white spots! By the time he made it back home, his family didn’t even recognize him. Desperate for his family to identify him, Harry eagerly jumped into the bathtub, filled it with suds and did what he hated most — took a bath. A great story for first-time readers.

MOMAHA BOOKSHELF

MOOSâ€™ LIFE ON THE FARM Dadâ€™s imagination ran wild in stories to his kids TEXT Marjie Ducey

Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos had a different take on an important book in his life: Instead of reading books to my kids, I told them stories that were a product of my imagination. The one that was most popular centered on a group of farm animals that experienced many adventures. Each night an episode would continue from the night before and stop with anticipation as to what would happen next. This was extremely helpful in regard to getting them to brush their teeth and get in bed. We actually finished an entire room in our home to serve as the setting for the stories. I even created an opening song that started each episode, much like the old sitcoms of the 1960s. Daughter Kaiti and I sang it on stage at her wedding last fall.

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February 2019

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SPONSORED FEATURE // BOYS TOWN NATIONAL RESEARCH HOSPITAL

‘Best gift’ to families Cutting-edge facility helps kids who are deaf or hard of hearing TEXT Maggie O’Brien

letcher Beard was born deaf. Diagnosed at 3 months old, his parents quickly got past their grief and were ready to take action. “I remember those feelings of despair, but now I chuckle,” said Fletcher’s dad, Aaron Beard. “You just figure it out.” Beard and his wife, Angie, started researching programs and treatments for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They were thrilled to learn there was a cutting-edge facility only a few miles from their Omaha home: Boys Town National Research Hospital’s Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning. “They are the best in the country and then you find out how nice they are,” Beard said. “They are not only the best and the brightest; every single person we have come across is the complete package.” Boys Town National Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its research and services for children with hearing loss, developmental language disorders and communication problems. The doctors, audiologists and staff are experts in cochlear implant surgery; education for the deaf and hard of hearing; counseling for children and families; and other services that change the way kids with communication disorders are cared for from birth to adulthood. The goal of the Center is to combine clinical services, innovative research and national outreach focused on language, communication development and early interventions to support children and their families. “When you are able to participate with a team of people who serve families and children, and offer them the best education and clinical services

COURTESY PHOTO

that are all based on evidence and research-driven practices – it’s the best gift you can give to families,” said Cathy Carotta, the Center’s associate director and director of educational, clinical and outreach services. Two to three per 1,000 babies in the U.S. are born with hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness. More than 90 percent are born to hearing parents like the Beards. Fletcher Beard had cochlear implant surgery when he was 10 months old and again right before his first birthday. Now age 4, the boy can hear when he is wearing the implants. Said his dad: “He hears as well as I do when they are in. I can whisper to him across the room, and he’ll turn around and say, ‘What?’ ” While learning that a newborn is

deaf or hard of hearing can be difficult for parents, Beard said, the support, services and friendship provided by the Center can help them move forward. Inspired – and wanting to do everything he could to help his son – Beard enrolled in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s speech and language pathology program. Beard will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2019. He previously served as a research assistant in the Center’s Language, Learning and Memory research lab, working closely with families and children like his on learning, comprehending and remembering language. “It doesn’t have to be devastating, and it’s the not the end of the world,” Beard said. “It’s just the start of an entirely different path.”

Hand-held happiness Fun creations for your Valentine

TEXT + PHOTOGRAPY Kiley Cruse

February 2019

Valentine Oreo Cookie Pops • Double Stuf Oreos • 1-2 bags of melting chocolates • Lollipop sticks • Parchment paper • Valentine-themed sprinkles

1. Place melting chocolates in a microwaveable mixing bowl and melt according to package directions. I recommend melting in 30-second increments and stirring in between until all chips are melted. 2. Separate the Oreo cookies, lifting one side off. 3. Dip the tips of the lollipop sticks into the chocolate and press into the Oreo filling, sandwiching the stick between both cookies. Allow to dry for a few minutes. 4. Dip the Oreo pops into the chocolate, gently tapping off excess chocolate. Place on parchment paper and dust with sprinkles before the chocolate hardens. You can also drizzle a contrasting color of melting chocolate over the top instead of sprinkles. Allow to dry.

SPONSORED FEATURE // LEARNING COMMUNITY OF DOUGLAS AND SARPY COUNTIES

Giving kids a boost Learning Community sees three keys to the future TEXT Maggie O’Brien

housands of students across the Learning Community’s 11 school districts are benefiting from programs that aim to improve results – and that’s good news for parents. “The key to improving student success in schools is working with teachers and families in a much more intensive way,” said Learning Community CEO David Patton. “In just a few years, the data tells us to keep moving in this direction.” He said instructional coaching for new teachers, family-school-community partnerships and parent education programs are all having a positive impact.

COACHING TEACHERS

The Learning Community supports teacher-coaching programs that give teachers more tools and strategies to help kids. Evaluations show the greatest impact among new teachers who can become discouraged. Pairing them with a trusted coach helps them build skills and confidence to help students, especially during their first few years in the classroom. Coaches – highly skilled educators selected for special training – work one-on-on with teachers on strategies and other areas that can positively impact how students learn. Four districts offer variations of the program: Bellevue, Omaha, Westside and Ralston. Instructional coaching began seven years ago and continues to improve, Patton said, which makes it easier for a young teacher to embrace new classroom ideas and teaching styles. “We want to keep our teachers where

February 2019

Teachers and coaches often work together in Westside Community Schools, one of the first Learning Community districts with an instructional coaching program.

they are needed the most,” Patton said. “That’s more likely when they feel empowered to meet the needs of their students.”

CONNECTING FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

Cosmos Awortwi and his wife, Tiffany, do everything they can to help their children. Tiffany signed up for the Learning Community’s free parenting classes so they could set goals for their growing family. They have a 6-year-old son, Micah, and 1-year-old twins, Sarah and Sarai. “Parenting, healthy eating. … I’ve taken so many classes, I’ve lost count,” Tiffany Awortwi said. The Learning Community takes a twogeneration approach to help families support their child’s learning, starting at birth. Free family classes in north and South Omaha community centers include parenting, life skills and leadership. The

courses help parents understand how their children grow and develop – and how to relate in the years to come. That way, parents can better help their children succeed in and out of school. As parents become comfortable, they build stronger bonds in their local schools and community. Independent evaluators found that children of parents in the program have better attendance and do better in school than their peers. “When parents take an active role in their child’s education, the data is crystal clear – children win in the classroom,” Patton said. “Across the broader educational community, we need to help families build on their strengths.”

EMPOWERING PARENTS

Even the most involved parents may struggle because they live paycheck to paycheck. Fears of losing a job or home are common, Patton said. The Learning Community offers a parent education program to help moms and dads get out of poverty through learning English, completing their GED and other classes to improve family stability. Said Patton: “Workplace skills are an emerging focus for our parent educational programs. Matching up parent skills with the current gaps in our local workforce would benefit everyone, especially children. Across our communities, parents are realizing it is never too late to build a better life.” Find out more about Learning Community programs for families, parents, teachers and students. Visit learningcommunityds.org

100 Bancroft Street | Omaha, NE | (402) 346-4002 |

2136137-01

Creating opportunities for children and families

Their Future. Our Future.

VISIT LearningCommunityDS.org 2108732-01

VALENTINE BOXES MADE WITH Y

ids love celebrating the day of hearts. And for many, that mushy feeling starts with a tissue box or a shoebox. That’s right, we’re talking about hand-decorated Valentine’s Day boxes. A place where students can pass chocolates and cute love notes in class.

February 2019

Monster box • Empty tissue box • Spray paint • Craft paint • Paint brush • Craft foam • Egg carton • Googly eyes • Optional: foam hearts, pipe cleaners, pompoms • Hot glue

1. Spray-paint an empty tissue box with the color of your choice. 2. After it dries, add polka dots using craft paint and the end of a paintbrush. If you prefer, you could also glue on foam shapes. 3. Draw teeth on craft foam and cut out. 4. Cut the egg carton into a pair of eye sockets and paint if desired. Use a hot glue gun to attach googly eyes on them. 5. Now it’s time to bring your monster to life. Use a hot-glue gun to attach the teeth and eyes. Tip: If you’re not big into painting, you could always use decorative craft duct-tape and tape the tissue box.

SPECIAL DELIVERY!

Emoji Box • Tissue box or other square box • Yellow paper • Black paper • Red paper • Glue • Scissors

1. Remove the plastic from the hole at the top of the tissue box. If not using a tissue box, cut a wide slot on the top, big enough to drop a valentine through. 2. Glue yellow paper to each side of the tissue box, except the bottom. Make sure to cover the hole at the top. 3. Poke a hole in the middle of the yellow paper at the top of the box. From that hole, cut out a slot big enough to accept a valentine. 4. Cut out two hearts from the red paper, and cut a smile shape from the black paper. Glue them to the front of the box.

STYLING Jessica Thompson PHOTO Kiley Cruse

BEE MY VALENTINE

Bumblebee valentine mailbox • Empty oatmeal container with plastic lid • Yellow paper • Black paper or felt • White paper • Craft knife • Scissors • Glue • Pipe cleaners

1. Cut a long and narrow slot in the lid using a craft knife. 2. Cut yellow paper to the length of canister. Glue the yellow paper around the whole canister. 3. Cut three strips of black paper or felt to the circumference of the canister. 4. Cut two white circles and two smaller black circles for the eyes, and a small curved black line for the smile. 5. Glue on the eyes and smile, then glue on the three black strips evenly below the face. 6. Cut two large white circles for the wings, then glue one edge of each to the back of the canister, making sure the wings are visible from the front. 7. For antennae, cut a pipe cleaner in half and curl each section. Attach to sides of canister with tape or glue, or punch through container and secure with tape. STYLING Jessica Thompson PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

February 2019

FOR THE LOVE OF PETS

Kitty Box • 1 shoebox (ours is black) • 1 sheet dark gray felt • 1 sheet white felt • 2 red pipe cleaners • Foam heart stickers (use our template) • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Scissors

1. Cut a rectangular slot in the top of the shoebox to accept Valentine’s Day cards and candy. TIP: Test the dimension with your own cards and candy. 2. Create your pet’s face using felt in similar colors. Adhere felt pieces to the shoebox lid with hot glue. 3. Cut out your pet’s legs using felt in similar colors. Glue to the top of the shoebox. 4. Cut out the bottom of your pet’s feet using felt in similar colors. Glue to the front side of the shoebox. 5. Label your box. Spell out your name in foam heart stickers and adhere hearts to the front of the shoebox. 6. You’re ready to exchange Valentines!

STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Hoffman

SPONSORED FEATURE // MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Mastering Mandarin Marian expands offerings to include world’s fastest-growing language

andarin Chinese is the fastestgrowing language in the world. Given the growing demand, Marian added Mandarin to the world language curriculum in fall 2017; Mandarin II is available this year, and higher-level study will continue to be added each year. Marian’s instructor, Rachael Li, is from Changchun, China. She came to Nebraska through the Confucius Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which promotes Chinese language and culture throughout the state. The institute was established in 2007 as the 20th Confucius Institute in the United States, and it is one of 350 institutes worldwide. Twelve students are enrolled in the Mandarin I and II courses taught by Li. Given the small class sizes, students receive plenty of individual attention. “As a teacher, I try to engage students’ interest initially by making it fun to learn, and we focus on day-to-day conversation with many class activities and games,” Li said. Li enjoys working with students who are passionate about learning Chinese, which can be difficult for native English speakers. Mandarin tones and pronunciation are very different from English. Additionally, Chinese characters are considered the biggest challenge. There are no letters; students must learn to write and identify all new characters. “Actually, it is not as hard as people imagine,” Li said. “The grammar is much easier than English, and 5,000 years of Chinese culture is worth learning.” Principal Susie Sullivan says it was a nobrainer to add Mandarin to the curriculum. “Language is important in a global society,” she said. “Mandarin is the No. 1 language spoken in the world. Not many schools

Marian’s world language curriculum includes French, Latin, Spanish and Mandarin.

Students learn to identify and write Chinese characters.

offer it, and we wanted to be a part of it.” Along with Mandarin, students at Marian have the opportunity to take Spanish, French and Latin. Although two years of language is the minimum requirement for graduation, many students take four years or study several languages.

Senior Mia Mixan is one such student. Now in her second year of Mandarin, she also studies Spanish. Next year she plans to major in Mandarin and minor in Spanish. “Mandarin is a cool language to learn … and lots of opportunities come with it,” Mixan said. “When I graduate from Marian, I will be semi-fluent in Mandarin and Spanish. Along with English, these are the top three languages spoken in the world. There are so many opportunities in college with language programs.” Knowing Mandarin can translate into more opportunities, both academically and professionally, for students who are willing to take on the challenge. Study abroad and immersion programs abound in college, and as the relationship between the U.S. and China improves, career opportunities will also grow.

ABOUT MARIAN Founded by the Servants of Mary in 1955, Marian is a Catholic, all-girls college preparatory school twice recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. As Nebraska’s only Class A girls high school, Marian provides the opportunities of a large high school in a smaller setting. Marian welcomes students of all cultural, economic and spiritual backgrounds. For more information on Mandarin or other academic offerings at Marian, please visit www.marianhighschool.net or contact Principal Susie Sullivan at ssullivan@omahamarian.org. 18

February 2019

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Scholarships and tuition assistance are available. For more information about Marian, contact Director of Admissions Molly Adams Woodman at 402.571.2618, ext. 1161 or mwoodman@omahamarian.org.

marianhighschool.net

7 4 0 0 M I L I TA RY AV E N U E

•

OMAHA, NE 68134 2136161-01

GET ORGANIZED // AMY TOKOS Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.

How to help others get organized Ask questions and don’t make assumptions You’re organized and would love to share the happiness with others. • But organizing yourself is a lot different from helping others get organized. Here is a little direction to help you spread the love.

HELP THEM ... Ask questions. First question: Do they want to be more organized? There are many levels of being organized. They might not be at your level, but they may think they’re OK. Offer to help only if they want help. Identify their pain points. Is paper a problem, their closet or maybe a garage? Start with one area that will make their daily life better with some organization. Look forward five or 10 years. An easy decision (if there is space) is to keep an item but to store it out of the way. Look forward and identify the plan for the stored item in five years or 10 years. Will it still be in storage or in use? If it will continue to be in storage, then maybe it’s not needed. Identify their treasures. Memorabilia can be hard to tackle. Someday, we will all leave this earth. One treasure box of what is important to our story can be of value to those we leave behind. More than that will make it hard for our family to identify what’s important, which means it could never be seen.

February 2019

Refrain from making assumptions. The ugly vase you want them to donate may be their favorite or have sentimental value. Keep your opinion to yourself. Allow them to come up with their own solution. What works for you may not work for them. Find their successes and build on that. It may not make sense to you, but if it works for them then don’t change it. Identify high-use and low-use items. Ask this for every item in a space. Find prime real estate. These are the main area of the house and the easy-to-reach areas. Prime real estate is best for highuse items. Move low-use items out of prime real estate areas. Discover why things are piling up. Usually it’s because of an obstacle to putting something away. The obstacle could be distance − it belongs in another area of the house. The obstacle also could be that the space where it belongs is already full, so it’s hard to add more things.

Know the things they really love. You’ll notice a smile or other positive reaction to an item. Point it out to them. That is what we want in our spaces, the items that we love. Give things a home with like items. This helps with brain clutter. A good example would be batteries. Designate one space for all batteries, so when you need one, your brain doesn’t have to remember all the possible locations. Offer to share and be a borrower. If you borrow from a friend, they’ll borrow from you. More sharing means less buying and less stuff in our homes. Don’t pretend to be perfect yourself. Keep things real. Let them see the dust and clutter at your house. They will be impressed with your authenticity.

Clifford Visits Storytime y

Check It Out

omahalibrary.org

Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell Cliffordâ€™s ABC by Norman Bridwell

Thurs | Jan 31 | 10 AM T Elkhorn E Branch | 2100 Reading Plz.

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

F | Feb 1 | 9:30 AM Fri Sa Saddlebrook Branch | 14850 Laurel Ave.

Bark Park! by Trudy Krisher

S | Feb 2 | 10:15 AM Sat B Benson Branch | 6015 Binney St.

A Dog Named Doug by Karma Wilson 2136152-01

2136162-01

‘I LOVE YOU’ Those three little words can mean so much STORY Marjie Ducey

t was a touching moment at the end of George H.W. Bush’s life. His last words were to tell his son, George, a president like his father, that he loved him. How important is hearing that, even when you are 72 like the younger Bush? Knowing that parents or caretakers love us and care about our wellbeing is an important part of every person’s development, says Dr. Jennifer Harsh, an assistant professor and Dr. Jennifer director of behavioral Harsh medicine for general internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It creates a feeling of security that helps children form a stable attachment. They know their parents will protect them and that they can rely on them to meet their needs. Part of helping them form a secure attachment is to give them positive feedback, Harsh says. “ ‘I love you’ can be an important part of that.’’ Say it with warmth and consistently. With that secure attachment, parents can make mistakes and they aren’t as detrimental to the relationship. Let them know that they are

protected and loved, and that they can depend on you, Harsh says. “That carries with them through adulthood.’’ It can also help with milestones such as heading to day care or school for the first time. Children with a secure attachment may cry for a bit but are able to regain their composure because they know their parents will return. Just as important as hearing those three little words is displaying all emotions, both positive and negative. It’s OK to let your children know if you are frustrated or upset. The next time you voice your frustration at the person in the car in front of you for cutting you off, Harsh says, explain to your children that you were upset. Name the emotion. Seeing how you handle your emotions teaches them how to handle anger and frustration in their own lives. “Those are emotions that are all natural,’’ Harsh says. “In trying to never show negative emotions, research has shown that not having that authenticity is counterproductive for children. They need to see modeled how they can display those emotions in a healthy way.’’ That doesn’t mean it’s OK to yell at others or to talk poorly of people in your child’s life because you are frustrated as

long as you name the emotion. The key is to be able to display emotions, but to do so in a healthy way that will model helpful emotional coping for your children. Saying I love you but not creating a supportive environment or teaming it with constant negative feedback is also counterproductive, Harsh says. It creates a skewed view of what love is that carries into adult relationships. “If I say I love you to a child as a parent and physically abuse my child, that’s not going to display warmth and love and children can start to internalize a connection between love and abuse,’’ she says. Harsh says in her practice she sees a number of adult patients who still struggle with the fact that a parent never said “I love you” to them as a child. Some are able to realize that even if a parent didn’t say it, he or she showed it by attending every event of their childhood. But make it easy, Harsh says, and provide consistent care and concern for your child. As your child grows up, they’ll reap the benefits. “A securely attached child has a far better likelihood of having a secure relationship in adulthood as well,’’ she says.

Hiz& Herz

CONSIGNMENT SALE OMAHA

KIDZ SHOPPE HIZ & HERZ

Hiz& Herz CONSIGNMENT SALE OMAHA

February 2019

KIDZ SHOPPE HIZ & HERZ

Kidz Shoppe and Hiz & Herz Consignment Sales in West Omaha. See our websites for information

Kidz Shoppe and Hiz & Herz Consignment Sales in West Omaha. See our websites for information and upcoming sale dates. KIDZSHOPPEOMAHA.COM HIZANDHERZOMAHA.COM

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Summer Summe 20 Camps 19 ON SALE NOW! Register today at ocm.org

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PITAYA PERFECTION Superfood for your sweetheart STYLING + TEXT Heidi Hoffman

Coconut Concoction

February 2019

COCONUT CONCOCTION • 1 cup frozen pitaya (pink dragon fruit) • 1 cup frozen pineapple

OPENING MARCH 2019... REGISTER NOW!

• 1 cup Greek yogurt • ¼ cup shredded coconut • 2 kiwis • 1 tablespoon honey • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds

In a bender, mix all ingredients until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl. Top with additional coconut, almonds, pineapple and kiwi.

swimplay

just add water.

BERRY BEAUTIFUL • 1 cup frozen pitaya • 1½ cups blueberries • ½ cup raspberries • ½ cup strawberries • 1 cup Greek yogurt • 1 tablespoon honey

Using a blender, mix all ingredients until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl. Top with chia seeds and additional blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and honey.

Help them make waves in life. Our award-winning tropical environment is simply the fun backdrop where kids do some serious growing and learning. So while we’re focused on the serious stuff, your family will be focused on the fun. It’s what we call The Science of SwimPlay®.

+ SHIVER-FREE, 90-DEGREE POOL + LESSONS FOR KIDS AGES 4 MOS - 12 YRS + FLEXIBLE CLASS TIMES + SMALL CLASS SIZES Register TODAY & we will waive your Annual Membership Fee! ($25 value • Offer valid for the first 500 members)

NUTS FOR BANANAS • 1 cup frozen pitaya • 1 banana, peeled • 1 cup Greek yogurt • 1 heaping spoonful peanut butter

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl. Top with chopped peanuts and walnuts and additional bananas and peanut butter.

WEST OMAHA | 402.281.3900 2502 S 133rd Plaza goldfishswimschool.com |

2134636-01

GENERAL TIP: Add milk if mixture is too thick.

SPONSORED FEATURE // YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

Something for everyone Omaha woman makes the most of her time at the YMCA for herself and her young family TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Watkins

ith her three young boys in tow, Janna Ang regularly makes her way to Omaha’s Southwest YMCA for a little “me” time. While she and husband, Isaiah, got the two older boys, McKay, 6, and Isaac, 4, involved with YMCA soccer and jujitsu classes last year, what brings Janna back to the Y upward of four times a week is a bit more selfish – but in a good way. “Through some women at my church, I was asked to participate in a sprint triathlon in 2017, which was something I always wanted to do,” said Janna, who hails from the Hawaiian island of Oahu. “That gave me more reason and incentive to focus on training at the Y doing something for myself. “What I love about coming to the Y is that I can exercise while the kids are doing some activity of their own, and they love coming to Childwatch and playing with each other and the other kids. It’s really something we can all do together.” Active and athletic before starting her family, Janna played intramural soccer while studying exercise science at Brigham Young University. She has always enjoyed running and swimming, saying she found it difficult to get back into the swing of exercise after her first pregnancy. It was after she gave birth to Isaac in 2014 that she re-engaged with the Southwest YMCA, gradually working her way back into shape and rediscovering her exercise independence. She started out by participating in several group classes – getting acclimated to the exercises and gaining more confidence – and then transitioned to more independent workouts, mainly the treadmill, cycling, weight training and swimming. When Eli joined the Ang family in 2017

February 2019

(he’ll be 2 in March), Janna said she was well on her fitness path and never lost touch with her active lifestyle – continuing light workouts late into her pregnancy. She had found her fitness routine and decided she wasn’t going to neglect it moving forward. “I felt so confident and comfortable in my workout routine that I didn’t want to stop as long as I could (with the pregnancy),” said Janna, who found her way to Omaha in 2012 when Isaiah started law school at Creighton. “Staying in that active mindset throughout my pregnancy with Eli allowed me to get back into my exercise routine more quickly.” In addition to her own personal exercise pursuits and health care, Janna said she is always looking for different sports and

activities for the boys because they are so energetic and active. Her own love for the Y has rubbed off on her sons, too, as they also enjoy their time at the Southwest YMCA. “Isaac often wakes up in the morning and asks me if we’re going to the Y today, so I know that they also love coming here,” Janna said. “I can’t say enough good things about my family’s Y experience. I love the Childwatch.” Too often moms put so much of themselves into taking care of their children that they neglect their own health, Janna said. “Because of everything the Y offers families, we are able to make sure we take care of ourselves while making sure our kids are also taken care of. I love it.”

Benefits your child will enjoy

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â€¢ Upbeat, age appropriate music â€¢ Easy to learn routines â€¢ Physical fitness and coordination skills for girls and boys â€¢ Enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors

www.stepperettestudios.com 2136149-01

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GET IN THE GAME YMCA SPRING YOUTH SPORTS ARE COMING SOON! SOCCER â€¢ VOLLEYBALL â€¢ FLAG FOOTBALL

Spring Season: March 30-May 18, 2019 â€¢ Registration opens February 4

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA â€¢ metroymca.org 2136155-01

WILL THEY SEE THEIR SHADOW? Groundhog cupcakes are sure to delight, even if they do predict six more weeks of winter

STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

February 2019

appy Groundhog Day! Are you hoping for an early spring? Or do you want Punxsutawney Phil to see his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter? Whichever side of the fence you are on, these cute Groundhog Day cupcakes are sure to make you smile.

Groundhog cupcakes For cupcakes • You can use any cupcake and chocolate frosting recipe — store-bought or homemade both work.

For decoration • Hershey’s Chocolate Drops for cheeks and paws • Brown M&M’S for ears • Reese’s peanut butter cups for heads • Cinnamon chips for noses • Oreo cookie crumbs for dirt • Candy eyes for ... well, eyes • Marshmallows, cut into small pieces, for teeth • Chocolate candy melts for “glue”

GROUNDHOG FACES 1. To make the faces, separate the peanut butter cups from the wrappers, but leave on so you can move them around without getting chocolate on your fingers. 2. Use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate coating to act as glue and attach the candies. Place two Hershey’s Drops in the middle of the peanut butter cup. 3. Then dot on more coating and attach the nose and two candy eyes. 4. For the teeth, attach the marshmallow pieces with melted chocolate. 5. Bend the paper wrapper backward at the top of the face to lift peanut butter cup off the counter. Use melted chocolate to attach M&M’S in position for ears. Let dry. 6. If the cups start to warm up from your touch, place them in the fridge while you frost the cupcakes. DECORATING CUPCAKES 1. Frost the cupcakes using an offset spatula. Apply the frosting around the sides of the cupcake with a downward motion, leaving a “well” in the center. Roll or press the frosting into chocolate wafer cookie crumbs. 2. Place a groundhog face gently in the center until secure. (If it doesn’t feel secure, prop it with a toothpick in the back.) 3. Finally, take two more Hershey’s drops and place on each side of the groundhog’s face for paws. Source: www.bakerella.com

SPONSORED FEATURE // UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

Know the facts Don’t fall for myths about the vaccinations your adolescent needs

MYTH #6

hen it comes to vaccines, it can be confusing to sort fact from fiction. Here, the University of Nebraska Medical Center addresses common misconceptions about adolescent vaccines with real answers. Learning the truth can help parents make decisions to help support the health of their preteen or teenager.

MYTH #1

Children get all the vaccines they need by age 5. Fact: As children get older, the protection from the DTaP shots they got as a baby or young child starts to wear off. The tetanus-diphtheria-acelluar pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is a booster shot that helps protect preteens and teens from the same diseases that DTaP shots protect little kids from. Fact: Not every vaccine can be given at very young ages. Some shots, like HPV and meningococcal, are approved for older children, age 9 and up. Fact: A flu shot is needed every year to protect against the strains of flu most active in the current season.

MYTH #2

I can’t be sure that vaccines are safe for my child. Fact: Vaccines undergo an extensive vetting process before they are released for public use, and they are continually monitored after they are released. To learn more, watch this video on YouTube: The Journey of Your Child’s Vaccine.

MYTH #3

The HPV vaccine is only for females. Fact: Males can get HPV-related cancer, too. Each year, more men die of HPV-related cancers than women die of cervical cancer. This is probably partly due to more females getting the HPV vaccine than males. It’s important for preteen and teenage boys to get the vaccine. Once

February 2019

infected with HPV, males are more likely to stay infected across their lifetime than females.

MYTH #4

The HPV vaccine isn’t needed until my child becomes sexually active. Fact: Vaccines work by helping the body develop immunity to protect against future exposure to viruses and other disease causing organisms. Vaccines are effective only if given before an individual is exposed. To protect against HPV-related cancers, preteens and teens must receive the vaccine well before they have a chance to be exposed to HPV. Fact: Immune response to the vaccine is stronger for 11-to-12-year-olds. Preteens who get the vaccine at this age need only two doses to achieve full immunity. Once a child reaches 15 or older, he or she will need three doses of the vaccine to be fully protected.

MYTH #5

If I give my child the HPV vaccine, I am giving him or her permission to have sex. Fact: There is no evidence linking HPV vaccination to initiation of sexual activity.

It’s unlikely my adolescent will contract tetanus or pertussis. My child doesn’t need these vaccines. Fact: Tdap and meningococcal vaccines are required for entry into public schools for middle-school-age children. Fact: Pertussis is a recurring disease in our community. In 2018 there were 62 confirmed cases of pertussis. This is twice the number in 2017 and more than five times the cases in 2016. Now more than ever, it is important to vaccinate your children against this disease. Fact: Tetanus bacteria can be found everywhere in the environment including dirt, dust and metal surfaces. Most people in the U.S. who contract tetanus have never been vaccinated or weren’t up to date on their vaccine booster.

MYTH #7

My child doesn’t need the meningococcal vaccine. Fact: Teens and young adults are more likely to contract meningococcal disease than most other age groups because of the environments they spend time in – like college dormitories. Fact: Many universities require evidence of vaccination before enrollment. Fact: Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These infections don’t happen often, but can be dangerous when they do. The two most severe and common illnesses caused by these bacteria include infections of the fluid and lining around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). Even if they get treatment, about 10 to 15 out of 100 people with meningococcal disease will die of it. Meningococcal disease can become very serious, very quickly. The meningococcal vaccine is the best way to protect teens.

Join us for a summer of

EXPLORE and G R O W

OUTDOOR E ADVENTUR

Summer Adventure Camps at Lauritzen Gardens provide exciting opportunities for children ages 5-12 to connect to nature and foster an appreciation for the environment through direct experiences with the natural world. • FUN

THEMES

for children to explore science, nature and art!

• FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING The garden offers morning and afternoon camps, supervised lunch, and extended drop-off/pick-up packages to give parents flexibility. • OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCOVERY Camps include nature hikes, plant and wildlife encounters, crafts and other hands-on activities. • SESSIONS range from $55-$235. Specials apply for multiple camp purchases. • REGISTRATION opens February 1.

EARLY BIRD SPECIALS THROUGH FEBRUARY 28

2126780-01

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Opens first week of January 2019 Camps offered weekly June 3 - August 2

aimforthesatars.unomaha.edu

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha (402) 346-4002, ext. 253

www.lauritzengardens.org 2136136-01

preTeens/teens need 3 vaccines. Don’t wait. Ask your doctor or pharmacist today.

2136622-01

REBECCA S. GRATZ

JUMP ON THOSE CUSHIONS! PAINT YOURSELF SILLY! Finger painting. Blowing bubbles. Cooking. Any sort of tactile play helps your child’s brain develop. STORY Marjie Ducey

inger painting. Blowing bubbles. Cooking. Did you know that any time you’re engaging in those kinds of activities with your children you are helping them develop skills they’ll use in the future? It’s called sensory or tactile play, and it’s an important part of a child’s development because it builds the connections within the brain that help develop more complex functioning, says Nikki Walker, supervisor of Child Life services at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. “It’s easy for parents to engage in this type of play with their children,’’ Walker says. “By playing with them, you encourage them to explore, and it can

February 2019

strengthen the bond between you and your child.’’ Sensory play can create a mess, Walker says. But that’s part of the fun. Next time Johnny or Susie is leaping safely from pillow to pillow in the family room, tell yourself it’s good stimulation of their senses. The connections it builds help improve cognitive growth, language, motor skills and problem solving. Parents can start early with their toddlers, encouraging them to touch different textures, listen to different sounds or maneuver crinkly paper or ribbons. Touch and feel books are a great way to introduce this play. “A lot of it will work for all ages. You just have to adapt it to meet their

developmental level,’’ Walker says. Play-Doh, sand, rice or pasta or even homemade slime or snow are good starting points. As they get older, add glitter or other items to make it new. Walker likes to do shaving cream drawing with son Kaeden, 6, and daughter Kenzie, 2. “Cooking is a sensory play activity,’’ Walker says. “You are using your hands to cook while you’re also touching and smelling.’’ If your child needs more activity, create an obstacle course with pillows and bubble wrap. “You don’t have to go all out and make a huge sensory room,’’ Walker says. “It’s just the simple day-to-day things. It’s mostly providing opportunity.’’

MELIA

Age 8, Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries A young detective-at-heart, Melia’s biggest mystery, so far, is a complex heart condition. To help piece the clues together, her family connected with the cardiac team at Children’s – highly trained pediatric specialists who cracked one heart-pounding case.

Experienced, unparalleled care for a full spectrum of pediatric and adult congenital cardiac conditions brings families from across the Midwest and the United States to Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. Our Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Heart Center specializes in pediatric heart transplantation, cardiac surgery, treatment of congenital or acquired heart disease and other cardiac conditions. For a pediatric cardiology specialist, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org/HeartCenter. 2135794-01

the

Doll Maker's GIFT

Return to JAN 25 - FEB 10

MAINSTAGE

FEB 9 - MAR 3

GE FIRST STA

FEB 22 - MAR 10 MAINSTAGE An evening at The Rose inspires your imagination. Something magical happens as you go off seeking buried treasure, shrink down to get a bug’s eye view, uncover the things that go bump in the night or discover the Hundred Acre Wood with an old friend. As you laugh, sigh, sing and dance together, you bond with your child in a unique way and make memories that last a lifetime. Set the stage for an experience your whole family will enjoy -- at The Rose! COMING SOON

• Return to Niobrara • Thumbelina • The Doll Maker’s Gift • Winnie the Pooh • Dragons Love Tacos • Roald Dahl’s Matilda

TICKETS: (402) 345-4849 or www.rosetheater.org