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VOLUME 11 · ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER

2020

APPLES GALORE Recipes + crafts good to the core

THE MAGIC OF COMIC BOOKS How one dad fell in love — in more ways than one

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CONTENTS momaha where moms connect VOLUME 11 . ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2020 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

contributor KEVIN COFFEY

cover photo KILEY CRUSE

custom publishing sales manager E R I C M AY B E R R Y emayberry@owh.com 402-444-1110

KILEY CRUSE

account executive

REAL MOMS + ADVICE

SEASONAL

2 Editorâ€™s Column 6 Momaha Bookshelf 14 Be Well 16 On Our Radar

6 A Magical Journey 7 Chirpy Comics 8 Apple Fun Facts 8 Apple Monster Cookies 9 Apple Banner 10 Apple Pie Egg Rolls 11 No-Bake Apple Bites

SPONSORED FEATURES 4 YMCA of Greater Omaha 12 Fontenelle Forest

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

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 2020 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.

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

AN APPLE-FRESH SEASON

elcome, September. It’s that time when summer activities wind down. School starts. And autumn officially arrives (Sept. 22). I’m already thinking about pulling out my fall decorations, wearing my sweaters and scarves and making soups. If you’re looking for some fun fall-related crafts or recipes, think apples! September, after all, is Apple Month, and this issue is packed with ways to celebrate. It was a weird spring and summer. Here’s hoping autumn will be a better season for us all!

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SPONSORED FEATURE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

WINNING WAYS

How lessons learned on the field can help in the classroom this fall

he first day of school is always challenging. New kids, new teachers, new situations. But this particular year will present entirely new challenges, the likes of which students, parents and teachers have never seen before. Luckily, there are valuable lessons and skills readily available to help kids navigate this new scenario. YMCA Youth Sports, from soccer to basketball and volleyball to flag football, provide kids with the opportunity to grow, and not just in their athletic ability. Character-building opportunities abound, and these six important lessons learned on the field can help kids navigate the classroom as well.

COURAGE

It takes courage to walk through that door on the first day of school. So, too, does coming off the bench, getting in the game and taking that final shot for the big win. Without the courage to participate, one will never know the fun of winning, or the lessons of losing. School requires the courage to participate, to ask the difficult questions, and to show up ready, each and every day.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

going to do great. Keep at it, and regardless of the win or loss, they’ll be farther and better oﬀ than when they started.

HARD WORK

COMPETITION

No one said sports are easy. Hard work and dedication are the ingredients needed to excel, and the same goes for school. Hard work both in and out of the classroom pays dividends, and the pride of knowing that you’ve given it your all builds character and self-esteem.

TEAMWORK AND INDEPENDENCE

Regardless of participation awards, there’s inevitably going to be some level of competition in sports, and the same goes for school. Learning the lesson of how to win and how to lose, and the concept of healthy competition among peers, will help kids both on and oﬀ the ﬁeld.

When kids learn the importance of teamwork on the ﬁeld with their teammates, it’s easily applied to the classroom with fellow students. And in becoming better teammates, they become better individuals.

rules, respect the other players and respect the coaches and referees. Play hard, play nice and play fair. When kids learn this lesson on the ﬁeld, it’s easily applied to the classroom by paying attention, respecting teachers and honoring codes of conduct.

SPORTSMANSHIP

RESILIENCE

When played right, the game is played with honor and integrity. Respect the

September 2020

When kids learn how to give 100%, 100% of the time, chances are they’re

Today more than 25,000 kids across the greater metro Omaha area play YMCA Youth Sports, and the Y strives to ensure that life lessons learned on the ﬁeld are easily applied to life outside the lines as well. For more information on the YMCA of Greater Omaha, and to explore all the Youth Sports programs oﬀered, visit www.metroymca.org 0000159677-01

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Full-text versions of popular magazine articles, encyclopedia entries, and other resources available to browse by topic area or keyword search.

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FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE! Become a YMCA member today!

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We dedicate ourselves to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Stay connected, get healthier, and have fun with your family by joining our YMCA family today!

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MOMAHA BOOKSHELF ASHLEE COFFEY

Graphic novels to ignite a love of reading THE BAD GUYS

By Aaron Blabey Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and Legs the Spider have one goal — to show they’re good guys by helping animals who need it. But their good deeds often go unnoticed because of their species — mean and scary. The art is fun and silly and the characters are even more so. They will have your reader laughing until they cry. Ages 7 to 10.

NARWHAL: UNICORN OF THE SEA

By Ben Clanton Narwhal and Jelly might not seem like they have a lot in common, but they share a love of waffles, parties and adventures. Kids will love following them as they discover the big ocean together. This early graphic novel showcases friendship, the joys of working together and just how powerful imagination can be. Ages 6 to 9.

THE STONEKEEPER

By Kazu Kibuishi After their dad dies, Emily and Navin move with their mother to their deceased great-grandfather’s house, which proves to be a dangerous place. A scary creature lures their mom through a door in the basement and the kids must enlist the help of a mechanical rabbit to enter an underground world to save her. Ages 8 to 12.

A MAGICAL JOURNEY STORY Kevin Coffey

wouldn’t be where I am today without comic books. That may sound weird. I’m not a famous comic book creator, and I’m not famous for any association with comics. A lot of the good things in my life circle back to comics and the community surrounding them. They’re in my blood, in a way, and I have a lot to be thankful for due to comic books: friends, my wife, my hobbies and countless hours of enjoyment. And hey, it’s a good time to be reading comics. In my estimation, comics are better than they ever have been, and I’m not just talking about the ones with superpowers, capes and tights. If you have an interest, there’s a comic book about it. And coming up, Free Comic Book Day is Sept. 9, and National Comic Book Day is Sept. 25. Read Comics in Public Day is Aug. 28. But I find reading comics in public to always be worthwhile. I don’t remember when I started reading comics. I was always a fan of the comic strips in the daily paper, but I started reading comic books in earnest when I was in kindergarten. My oldest brother, Mike, was in a bad accident, and

September 2020

while he was laid up for months, friends brought video games, movies, food and a big ol’ stack of comic books. After he was done with them, the comics passed to me. I was instantly obsessed, and I read every single title — “Woody Woodpecker,” “G.I. Joe,” “The Uncanny X-Men” and many others. (I still have them all.) I started begging to buy comics from the spinner rack at the grocery store. (I’m sure my mom loved that.) My friend, Tommy, lived close to a comic book store, and we’d walk there to buy comics and trading cards. When I got older, I started visiting regularly to the point where they knew my name. I kept going back every week. I started drawing my own comics — poorly at first, but I got better — and ended up drawing a comic strip. The employees at my local shop became my friends. I started playing “Dungeons & Dragons” there, and that has become another hobby and another circle of tight friends. On my first date with my wife, Ashlee, all we did was talk about comics. When I proposed a couple of years later, I did it by writing and drawing a comic book

about us. My friends at the shop let me put my comic on the shelf, and on what seemed like a casual stroll through the shop, Ashlee spotted it and I asked her to marry me. And now that we have kids, I’m passing on comics to them. Every day, we rush to get the newspaper and dig out the comic section. Sam can’t stop reading graphic novels such as “The Bad Guys.” Story time almost always includes a superhero or two. And our kids will never run out of reading material. Dad’s shelves are filled with boxes of comic books. If it’s superheroes that get our kids excited about reading, then I’m good with it. Anyway, research has shown that the images and text together in graphic novels adds complexity to the reading process. Put more simply: It’s better for your brain. My kids will read whatever they can get their hands on, and when they reach for a comic book, I’m definitely cool with that. I’m glad they’ll grow up with special memories of sharing comics with their parents. Hopefully it brings them a fraction of what it’s brought me.

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Cat, Dog and Turtle interact with human artifacts like TVs, smartphones, newspapers, books and yes, even a Roomba — otherwise known as Bottom Feeder. You can find “Chirpy Comics” daily on Facebook and Instagram.

Daily dose of ‘Chirpy’ Father-son collaboration brings Cat, Dog and Turtle to life STORY Chris Christen

hen Jeff Koterba isn’t drawing editorial cartoons, he’s collaborating with adult son Josh on the antics of Cat, Dog and Turtle. The critters are the stars of the Koterbas’ feel-good comic strip, “Chirpy.” It debuted online in April, inspired by COVID-19 and self-isolation. It’s an extremely socially distanced collaboration, too, with Jeff living in Nebraska and Josh living in Florida. “Our goal is to bring humans joy each and every day,” Jeff says. Good-natured and non-gendered, Cat, Dog and Turtle are the pets of The Humans — who influence the animals’ world, but are always out of frame. The comic explores a wide variety of themes as the four-legged creatures ponder their existence and differences,

JEFF KOTERBA

Jeff Koterba, left, and son Josh launched the “Chirpy” comic strip in April.

the true nature of animals and why pets do what they do — all the while realizing at the end of the day, maybe they’re not so different after all. “When we wound up socially distanced, 1,200 miles apart, we found

ourselves looking for smiles on social media and an outlet for our built-up creative energy,” Jeff says. “We decided to do something we’ve both wanted to do since we were kids — a generation apart.” Jeff has been the editorial cartoonist at the Omaha World-Herald since 1989, and his work now appears in more than 850 papers around the globe. Josh honed his storytelling and social media skills while writing songs that have appeared on MTV and performing them all over the country. Josh’s children, ages 9 and 7, have occasionally helped to color the cartoons drawn by their Papa K and also have written a few. Your can follow the daily adventures of Cat, Dog and Turtle on Facebook and Instagram. Search for “Chirpy Comics.”

Fresh from the orchard

eptember is National Apple Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than to cook and craft with the versatile fruit. But first, a few fun facts from the U.S. Apple Association. Did you know: 1. Seventy percent of apples produced in the United States come from Washington. The second largest state producer is New York, followed by Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Idaho. 2. The United States grows about 200 varieties of apples, but the only native apple to North America is the crabapple. Once called common apples, the crabapple was first recorded in Boston in 1625. Seeds brought from Europe began to produce apples in the 17th century, leaving the crabapple in the dust until cider’s recent revolution of the tart, little apple. 3. It takes an apple tree four to five years to produce its first fruit. Once mature, an average tree can bare more than 800 pounds of fruit. 4. It takes about 36 apples to produce one gallon of cider. This means that each glass of cider you drink is the equivalent of 2-3 apples. 5. The Top 10 varieties sold in the United States are Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Braeburn and Jazz.

September 2020

TOPS FOR SNACKING Tame those after-school munchies with a batch of monster-style cookies TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

Your family is sure to go ape over these monster cookies. The kids can even make their own. The prep time is ridiculously fast and easy.

APPLE MONSTER COOKIES • Apples • Peanut butter (or other nut butter) • Chocolate chips • M&M’s (we used a mix of regular and mini) • Granola

• Other topping ideas: shredded coconut, chia seeds, dried fruit, nuts, crushed pretzels

1. Cut apples into ¼- to ½-inch slices and remove the core.

2. Spread peanut butter on sliced apples. 3. Top with chocolate chips, M&M’s and granola or other desired toppings. Source: lovetobeinthekitchen.com

A BANNER SEASON Craft puts a stamp of approval on autumn TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Ashlee Coffey

Celebrate the season of changing leaves, cooler weather, fresh-picked apples, bonfires and homemade soups and stews with this DIY banner.

APPLE BANNER • • • • • • • • • •

Twine Burlap Construction paper Fresh apple Red and green paint Paper plates Metal jump rings Black marker Small paint brush Scissors

1. Cut a length of twine to stretch across your mantel — or another area you’ve chosen to display your banner. 2. Cut a 6-inch square shape from cardstock to use as a template. Calculate the number of squares you’ll need to evenly stretch across the length of your twine. Trace that many shapes, plus a few extras, onto the burlap and cut out each one. Our example has a total of 10 squares. 3. Take two paper plates, and pour a generous amount of red paint on one and green paint on the other. 4. Cut the apple in half lengthwise to create two separate “stamps.” Dip one freshly cut section into the red paint, making sure to completely coat the apple’s flat surface. Lift from paper plate and use a paint brush, if

necessary, to apply paint to any exposed areas. Now you’re ready to stamp your first burlap square. Repeat the process until you have stamped about half of your burlap squares. Repeat with green paint. 5. Once the paint has completely dried on the burlap squares, add detail to the apples with the black marker. We drew on a stem and seeds. 6. Carefully add jump rings to the top corners of each burlap square, then thread the squares onto the twine. You may find that this is the most time-consuming step of the craft. Note: To stop burlap from fraying, dot glue along the problem edges and around the jump ring holes. This will help keep everything in place. Inspiration from multiplesandmore.com

ROLL WITH IT! You definitely won’t be eating a full batch of these on your own. Everyone else will beat you to it. Put a bumper crop of apples to use — beyond baking a pie. This sweet dessert totes well and makes enough to share.

APPLE PIE EGG ROLLS

Makes 8

• 3 medium apples, peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon • ¼ cup sugar • 2 teaspoons cornstarch • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 8 egg roll wrappers • Vegetable oil, for frying • Whipped cream, caramel sauce or powdered sugar, optional

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1/3 cup water, then add to the apple mixture. Stir to blend then bring it to a boil and cover. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the apples have softened slightly and the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove the apple mixture from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract then transfer the mixture to a bowl. Allow to cool completely. 4. Fill a small dish with water and line a baking sheet with paper towels. 5. Arrange the egg roll wrappers on a dry work surface. Using a slotted spoon, portion about ¼ cup of the apple mixture in the lower third of each wrapper. Beginning at the bottom of the wrapper, roll into an egg roll, carefully folding the edges inward. Dip your finger in the water and run it around the edges to seal the egg roll. 6. Add at least 4 inches of oil to a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot set over medium-high heat and attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side. Once the oil reaches 360 F, add 3 to 4 egg rolls and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove the egg rolls from the oil and transfer them onto a baking sheet. Repeat the frying process with the remaining egg rolls, returning the oil to 360 F between batches. 7. Serve immediately dusted with powdered sugar or with whipped cream or caramel sauce for dipping. Source: justataste.com

September 2020

TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

Back to Swim Lessons REGISTER NOW FOR ONCE-A-WEEK SWIM LESSONS

Guilt-free bites No-bake recipe scores on two levels: ‘easy and healthy’ TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

AGES 6 MOS. & OLDER. MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING & SAT. MORNING

Oats, almond butter and fresh apple combine in sweet, chewy bites that you won’t have any guilt reaching for when the kids start wailing, “I’m hungry!” Or you just need a bit of energy to get through the day. Each ball contains about 80 calories.

APPLE CINNAMON COOKIE ENERGY BITES Makes 2 dozen • • • • •

2 cups old-fashioned oats ¼ cup ground flaxseed ¾ teaspoon cinnamon ½ cup almond butter ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon honey • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Pinch of salt • 1 cup grated apple, unpacked (about 1 medium apple)

1. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flaxseed and cinnamon. In another bowl or a liquid measuring cup, stir together the almond butter, honey, vanilla and salt until well-combined.

Pour over the oat mixture and combine until evenly coated. (Consider using your hands at the end to make sure everything is well-mixed.) Stir in the grated apple. 2. Scoop the mixture into tablespoon-sized portions and shape into balls. Slightly wet hands to help keep the mixture from sticking to your fingers. 3. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Note: The mixture was too sticky for us to roll into balls. We solved the problem by grinding ½ cup oatmeal into flour and adding it to the mixture.

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Source: kristineskitchenblog.com

SPONSORED FEATURE FONTENELLE FOREST

Wizards AND owls and full moons, OH MY! Fall is coming to Fontenelle Forest

all is a favorite time for many families to get out and enjoy nature. Leaves are turning golden brown, and cooler temperatures are a welcome reprieve from the sweltering summer heat. After a crazy year of being stuck inside, kids (and their parents) need outdoor time now more than ever. And, it’s not just fun — it’s actually good for you! Research shared by the Children & Nature Network shows that children who are connected to nature have better health — including better social skills, increased self-esteem, improved grades and stronger emotional connections to people and nature. Fontenelle Forest, with sites in Bellevue and North Omaha, is the perfect place for your family to explore and discover nature. The Forest encompasses nearly 2,100 acres of natural and historic landscapes that have been conserved and protected for more than 100 years. With 24 miles of maintained trails, exploring is easy for everyone. The mile-long, ADA-accessible boardwalk is great for anyone looking to ease into hiking — including those with smaller children or who need mobility assistance. The boardwalk presents stunning views of the Missouri River and the opportunity to observe unique plants and wildlife along the way. Fontenelle Forest members can even purchase a key fob to access the trails before and after normal business hours (from dusk to dawn), providing a great opportunity to catch that stunning fall sunrise or sunset. During the fall months, the Forest is jam-packed with family-friendly activities you won’t want to miss. From Family Adventure Day to Yoga in the Forest, Sunday Trekking and a Full Moon Hike, there is something for all ages and level of activity.

September 2020

MAUREEN HOSKINSON

Fontenelle Forest, with sites in Bellevue and North Omaha, is the perfect place to explore and discover nature just minutes from home.

Of course, fall wouldn’t be complete without Halloween. What could be more exciting than trick-or-treating in an actual forest? That’s right! Have your kiddos don their favorite costumes and take them to “Trick or Treat in the Forest” for a safe and exciting daytime Halloween experience they won’t forget. Young witches, wizards, Muggles and other Harry Potter fans will want to experience the magic of the Forest during “A Holiday at Hogwarts.” Even adult Harry Potter fans can unleash their inner child at “A Night at Forbidden Forest,” the 21-andover version of this classic Harry Potter event. If you’re more of a night owl, check out

“Owl Prowl” and discover the mystery of the Forest on a night hike while you listen for resident owls calling, “Whooooo’s that wandering in my forest hollow?” This year, the Forest also launched a Family Backpack Program — a fun new way for the whole family to experience nature together. The educational backpacks cost only $10 to rent for two hours and contain guides and activities that will inspire your family to make exciting discoveries in the Forest. Visit fontenelleforest.org for a full list of events and activities. While you’re there, consider purchasing daily admission for a quick day trip, or a membership for a full year of access.

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‘No easy answers’ Raising your kids in a coronavirus pandemic isn’t exactly covered in child-rearing books

very day parents are bombarded with conflicting coronavirus advice. So, it’s not surprising they feel scared and worried about decisions they’re making regarding their children, especially when it concerns school, says Dr. Alison DeLizza, a postdoctoral psychology fellow in the department of psychiatry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “It’s so hard to know what is the right thing to do,’’ she Alison says. DeLizza There are no easy answers, either. Raising your kids in a coronavirus pandemic isn’t exactly covered in child-rearing books. So give yourself a break, DeLizza tells parents. Practice selfcompassion. Know that you are trying to do the right thing for your family. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent if you flail at times. “It just means you’re a human being and this is hard,’’ DeLizza says. Besides being kind to yourself, remember: It’s important not to do this alone. Talk with your partner, other parents, your parents or friends — whomever can provide a good support system. Sharing can help you realize you’re not alone, DeLizza says. For unbiased information, DeLizza recommends consulting the American Academy of Pediatrics website. She also likes the Clay Center for Healthy Young Minds for tips on talking with your kids about the virus

September 2020

and resources on schooling. Make sure you take care of yourself. It’s natural for parents to put their kids first. But your well-being and health is just as important. Get enough sleep and find ways to keep moving. DeLizza has seen parents benefit from what she calls “micro practices for wellness.” This involves finding brief — 30-second to one-minute — things to do to help you calm down in the moment and recenter. Consistently stop and take some deep breaths in the slow moments of your day, she advises. Maybe take a few seconds to smell the coffee before you wake up the kids and start breakfast or breathe deeply right before the kids pile into the car after school and the chaos begins. That’s assuming your kids are in school. That’s not a given if there is a COVID-19 outbreak or you decided to do online learning from home. Don’t beat yourself up worrying about the what-ifs if you’ve made the decision to send your kids to school. It may be a financial necessity or what you think is best for your child. You are the expert regarding your family, DeLizza says. If you decide that home learning is the best option, you also don’t need to fret that your child’s future will be compromised. Kids are like sponges, DeLizza says, and constantly learning. Baking and cooking can help with math and chemistry, art and music teach math, and reading will provide all sorts of knowledge. Podcasts and documentaries are educational, too. “Just because it might not look the same, and they’re not necessarily

sitting in a classroom being lectured, doesn’t mean they aren’t learning,’’ DeLizza says. “If keeping your kids home, if that is what keeps them safe, know you aren’t ruining your kids. “Kids are incredibly resilient. They know how to bounce back, sometimes better than we do as adults.’’ Be honest with your kids about what’s happening, but do it in an age-appropriate way. A kindergartner doesn’t need to know every single detail — just that there is a virus that makes people sick and you are doing everything you can to keep them safe. “It’s important not to have conversations when you are in the middle of being really panicked about it,’’ DeLizza says. “Do it when you can remain calm and reassuring. Even though they are super resilient, they still need a sense of security. If they see you are freaked out about it, they will get freaked out about it.’’ Save moments of panic for when the kids are at school, asleep or outside, she says. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, talk with your primary care physician and accept a referral for help, if necessary. DeLizza talks with lots of parents who are trying to figure out what’s right for their children. She reminds them that if a decision proves wrong, it doesn’t mean they are bad parents. They are doing the best they can in a situation where no one knows how it’s all going to play out. “This is a really, really hard time,’’ she says. “I think it comes back to that self-compassion. We are just trying to do what we can with the information that we have.’’

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ON OUR RADAR ASHLEE COFFEY

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

ALL-PURPOSE APPLIANCE Our dad reviewer wondered: What can’t I make in the PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer? He found that the 5-quart air fryer made obvious things like wings and chicken nuggets, but also grilled cheese and other foods you might not have thought possible. The large capacity made cooking for a family of four easy. $99.99, powerxlproducts.com

SMART PLANE This super-charged interactive Smarty JOJO airplane will get your high-energy preschooler learning on the go. The plane includes motion sensors that encourage physical activity while teaching directions, shapes, colors and opposites. The airplane is also bilingual, speaking in English or Spanish. Ages 2 to 4. $19.99, toymonster.net

NO WIRES NEEDED NO CRAZY NURSING SESSIONS Say goodbye to crazy feedings with Busy Tabs, a special clothing-safe satin ribbon clasp you hook to your bra or shirt. It gives baby something to do instead of pinching, scratching or grabbing Mom while nursing. Set of six tabs in three designs: Under the Sea, Light as a Feather and Bubble Trouble. $19.99, nursememama.com

QUILTER’S DREAM IRON Our reviewer, a quilter, loved the idea of a cordless iron. The PowerXL Cordless Steamer/Iron, with its own mat, means no more trips into another room to use the ironing board. Simply place the mat on the end of your craft table. Even though you don’t have to use the cord, she loved its length. The only scary thing about the easy-to-use iron and steamer? The 42 safeguards noted in the manual. $69.99, powerxlproducts.com

September 2020

This powerful and elegant Eggtronic Wireless Charging Stone lets you charge your smartphones without cables. It works with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, and is compatible with all Qienabled devices including the Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. Available in marble white, marble black, travertine stone, lava stone and sandstone. $69.99, eggtronic.com

When children are your everything, Anything can be. At Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, science and heart lead us to even greater pediatric breakthroughs. We provide the very best in pediatric specialty care, advance pediatric research, educate tomorrow’s experts and advocate for children, families and entire communities – to improve the future of medicine, and the life of every child. To ﬁnd a physician for your child, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org.

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Thank you, Rose Theater, for giving so much to the people who attend. . The Rose is an institution tha that is connecting people. I learned so many life lessons from The Rose.

Theater gives kids a sense of community, and a place where they belong. I cannot imagine my life without The Rose. The Rose is a place where young performers can grow and be themselves.

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The Rose has done so much for my kids. I just love The Rose. maginations come to life at The Rose.

It is so special to see I come back for the people at The Rose.