Omaha Magazine May 2026

AloneontheAtlantic TarynSmith

INTO THE UNKNOWN: HOW OMAHA’S

ADVENTURERS DEFY THE ODDS

The waves were coming from every direction, crashing over the side of the 24-foot rowboat and knocking it off course. Omaha’s Taryn Smith wasn’t thinking about the finish line in Antigua. Alone and in the middle of a 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean, she just wanted to get the boat pointed the right way again.

I love an exciting anecdote, and the experiences Taryn shared in this issue’s cover story are as thrilling as they come. It’s easy to focus on the scale of what she did, becoming the first American woman to complete the World’s Toughest Row solo. But most of our conversation was about what it felt like in the stretches where things weren’t going smoothly.

Her narrative is a true underdog story. Taryn defied expectations by completing an impossible task in an unfamiliar sport, and also overcame geographical challenges. Living in triple-landlocked Nebraska, no one would have expected Taryn to conquer an entire ocean, but she didn’t let that stop her.

Omaha may not seem at first glance to be full of adventurers, but everyone featured in this issue proves exactly the opposite.

In another feature, executive editor Doug Meigs hooked a fishing conservation tale on his journey to catch a “lucky” paddlefish. He defied the odds, winning a lottery-allocated permit to snag a paddlefish on the Missouri River (and tells how you can, too).

But you don’t have to be on the water in unfamiliar territory to satisfy your thirst for adventure. This issue includes ways to conquer air (the ultimate guide to high-altitude adventures in Omaha) as well as earth (a journey through Nebraska’s own Fossil Freeway). Other stories show how Omaha is a travel and adventure destination, with a Juneteenth tour and Railroad Days planned in the metro area. And don’t forget about our dining section, where you might embark on the next journey of your own.

Taryn’s journey and others’ in this issue might be extreme, but this issue was written to inspire you to take on a quest of your own. As she put it, “I feel like that’s kind of the point of life, to go out and take on big adventures.” Here’s hoping these pages push you to start.

Bon voyage!

Isaac Nielsen Senior Editor isaac@omahapublications.com

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

TABLE of CONTENTS

Ty Stromquist

ALONE ON THE ATLANTIC

001 From the Editor Into the Unknown

004 The Heart of Omaha Magazine

030 Giving Spotlight

Railroad Days

035 Obviously Omaha

High-Altitude Adventures

036 History

Juneteenth

048 Adventure

Nebraska’s Fossil Freeway

078 Calendars

088 Not Funny

ENTERTAINMENT

006 A+C Visual Art

Allegra Hangen

010 A+C Music

Kris Lager

014 A+C Photography

Joseph Saaid

018 A+C Film

Tipper Newton

PEOPLE

028 60+ Active Living

Derek Burdeny

032 Gen O

Isaac Gibson

050 Sports

Kimberly Drewniok

052 Profile

Brian Deegan

056 Profile

Jason Cadek

DINING

058 Dining Feature

Ono Pinay Kitchen

062 Chef Profile

Garrett Kasper

064 Review

Block 16

068 Tasty Bites

Outdoor Excursions

072 Dining Guide

Listen to the entire issue here. Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code. Produced by Radio Talking Book

COMMUNITY PILLARS

To illustrate Taryn Smith's epic row across the Atlantic Ocean, Bill Sitzmann borrowed a boat that Greg Lilly made with his dad and brother. Sitzmann photographed Smith in his studio with help from Lilly and Sarah Lemke (throwing water). The story at omahamagazine.com includes reels embedded from her adventure. Read the full story on page 40.

read current and previous issues online at omahamagazine.com

COMMUNITY LEADERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Backlund Plumbing

Henry Doorly Zoo

Catering Creations

Children's Nebraska

Cutchall Management Group

FNBO

Kiewit Luminarium

Lauritzen Gardens

M.U.D.

Omaha Performing Arts Society

Primo's Modern Mexican Restaurant Scott Conference Center

The Dentists

Valmont

MAY 2026

VOLUME 44 // ISSUE 2

EDITORIAL

Executive Editor DOUG MEIGS

Senior Editors

ISAAC NIELSEN · NATALIE VELOSO

Assistant Editor NAOMI HEU

Contributing Writers

BEAUFIELD BERRY · MARIA CORPUZ · GREG ECHLIN

KYLE EUSTICE · DAWAUNE HAYES · DWAIN HEBDA

SARA LOCKE · BRANDI LONG-FRANK · LISA LUKECART

JOE MIXAN · MIKE’L SEVERE · TIM TRUDELL · OTIS TWELVE

CREATIVE

Creative Director

RACHEL BIRDSALL

Senior Graphic Designers

RENEÉ LUDWICK · NICKIE ROBINSON

Graphic Designer JOEY WINTON

Chief Photographer SARAH LEMKE

Contributing Photographers

SANTIAGO DE LA PUENTE · MIKE LANG SALES

Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing GIL COHEN

Branding & Digital Specialists

GREG BRUNS · DAWN DENNIS · FRANCINE FLEGG

SANDY MATSON · TIM McCORMACK

Digital Advertising Sales Specialist TRAVIS FISHER

Senior Sales Coordinator

ALICIA HOLLINS

Sales Coordinators

JESSICA LINHART · SANDI M cCORMACK

Director of Business & Development

CAROLE SPRUNK

OPERATIONS

Business Manager KYLE FISHER

Ad Traffic Manager

DAVID TROUBA

Digital Manager

LUIS DE LA TOBA

Distribution Manager CARSON KRUSE

EXECUTIVE

Publisher TODD LEMKE

Associate Publisher

BILL SITZMANN

The Heart of Omaha Magazine

Omaha Magazine has existed in Omaha since 1890, according to publisher Todd Lemke. Lemke himself entered the Omaha publishing scene in March 1983 with the first issue of City Slicker. That newsprint publication was the precursor to his Omaha Magazine, which launched its first issue in 1989.

Today, Omaha Magazine Ltd. is the parent company of Omaha Publications, which produces other community-focused magazines such as FACES of Omaha, B2B Magazine, Family Guide, and many custom publishing products.

The magazines would not be possible without the people behind them whether that's the people in between the covers or those behind the scenes. Lemke and his Omaha Publications staff take immense pride in presenting Omahans with the best stories in the city and the company is always looking to improve its products.

At its heart, the Omaha Magazine team is one that works hard for its community. If it's Omaha, it's in Omaha Magazine Your city. Your culture. Your stories.

Story by Natalie Veloso

Photography by Santiago De la Puente

Design by Joey Winton

llegra Hangen started noticing it on her daily walks. It was just a faint sound at fi rst, easy to miss. Th e rush of water was moving somewhere below the pavement, slipping through a system most people pass over without a second thought. But the more she walked through Mexico City, the more s he heard it.

During a severe drought, when concern over water shortages dominated daily life in Mexico City, the sound of rushing water felt contradictory to the way residents were living. Hangen started mapping where she could hear it, following the sound across diff erent parts of the city.

“I started becoming more and more attuned to it,” Hangen said. “It was sort of this reminder from water itself being like, ‘I’m st ill here.’”

The instinct to uncover what sits beneath the surface carries through much of Hangen’s art. Based in Mexico City with longstanding ties to Omaha, the multidisciplinary artist works across photography, experimental video, installation, and sound, exploring larger questions about systems a nd control.

Hangen initially enrolled in college in Boston to study interior design. Th at interest never left, she said, but took a diff erent direction when she shifted her focus to photography. A two-week course in Oaxaca during her time in Boston proved to be a tur ning point.

“I fell in love with Mexico,” she said. “At that moment, I made up my mind that I needed to be in Mexico somehow in the future.” Two weeks after graduating, she moved to Mexico City, where she continues to live and work today.

A similar sense of connection ties her to Omaha. Born in the city before moving to Massachusetts, Hangen returned regularly to visit family and later moved to Omaha for a two-year period in 2018. In one project rooted in Omaha’s history, she worked with plaster after researching the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, where temporary buildings were constructed with plaster and later torn down.

“All of my work has to do with control— both my fascination with it and my concerns about it, and the way control shows up in structures and systems,” she said. “My work is my way of confronting that and trying to infi ltrate a system of control or question it visually.”

Hangen’s sound recordings of the rushing water below Mexico City became “ hasta una profundidad para alcanzar lo que se busca ” (to a depth suffi cient to reach what is sought), an art installation in which she incorporated those recordings. “I put a microphone or a hydrophone directly through the manhole covers to get that sound,” she said. “It was a way of interviewing the mouth of the water.”

Using a program she developed, Hangen converted the vibrations into visual patterns. Th e sonic sculpture is composed of those printed visual patterns, called cymatics, and manhole covers she created from aluminum plates. Real fl owing water also circulates beneat h the forms.

In a new water-focused piece, “A Surfacing,” Hangen references the city’s buried rivers. Th e work takes the form of a distorted map, constructed from plaster and styrofoam and coated in a waterproofi ng material commonly used across Mexico City. Th e deep red surface represents the rooftops, where layers of protection are necessary.

“Waterproofi ng is really important culturally,” she said. “When you fl y into Mexico City and you see the roofs from above, they’re all a dark terrac otta color.”

As her work continues to grow internationally, Hangen maintains her ties to Omaha’s art community. “Th ere’s a rare sense of artists uplifting fellow artists and being very open to collaborating,” she said. “Everyone wants to share what it means to liv e in Omaha.”

Th e idea led her to co-found Fortuna, an artist-run residency program connecting artists based in Omaha and Mexico City. Th e initiative grew out of her own experience moving between the two places and noticing what each lacked. While Omaha off ered strong community and collaboration, artists struggled with visibility. In Mexico City, the opposite was true.

“I wanted to bridge the gap of these two creative spaces and address the two things that both places need,” she said. Th ough the program is currently on hold, the experience still informs her approach to her own work and the role artists can play in building connections.

Hangen’s practice also includes fi lm and found footage, an interest that began during her time in Boston. Her college thesis shows featured footage of her family’s farm in Iowa. “When I showed it publicly, in the U.S., it was like, ‘Wow, this reminds me of my family,’’ she said. “But people in Mexico would say, ‘Oh, this is so Hollywood. Th is is like class ic movies.’”

Another found footage project featured back-and-forth shots of her own family mixed with footage of the Kennedy family. While people in the United States identifi ed the Kennedys, viewers in Mexico City couldn’t tell the families apart. “It became more of a study on how we document ourselves,” Hangen said. “Th at’s why I still work with found footage, because there’s always this pattern.”

Perception is relevant to every piece, she added. As Hangen builds on her current body of work, the process is open-ended. “I’m continuing this water infrastructure project because it’s not just about water, but the ongoing concern,” she said. “I don’t see an end to it yet.”

Th e sounds beneath the pavement are still there as she observes other overlooked systems around her. It’s the same instinct that fi rst made her pause and listen.

“Even in a drought, there’s still water,” Hangen said. “Most of us just need to liste n harder.”

Visit allegrahangen.com for more information and to view Allegra Hangen’s artis t portfolio.

ALL OF MY WORK HAS TO DO WITH CONTROL— BOTH MY FASCINATION WITH IT AND MY CONCERNS ABOUT IT, AND THE WAY CONTROL SHOWS UP IN STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS.

–Allegra Hangen

A+C MUSIC

The Great Balancing Act

Kris Lager On Juggling Family Life and His Thriving Mu sic Career

PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN

There’s chaos in the Lager household. Omaha-based musician Kris Lager’s 10-year-old son is home from school, the dog is barking, and Lager is trying to appease his crying 7-year-old son with some frozen fruit. But Lager juggles it all like a champ, answering questions about his career that started more than 25 years ago in his hometown of Lincoln.

Like any ’90s kid, Lager grew up hanging out at the local mall with who he calls his “mall rat buddies,” and likely listening to whatever MTV was peddling at the time. In 1993, Snoop Dogg’s Doggfather album was the soundtrack du jour, particularly the song “Lodi Dodi,” a homage to Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s 1985 classic, “La Di Da Di.” Lager credits Snoop Dogg’s version with leading him to picking up the guitar, one his father had gifted him more than six years prior.

“I never really got serious until I was almost 14, somewhere in there,” he said. “I got grounded for a month. I’m probably the only blues guitarist that can credit Snoop Dogg for picking up the guitar. I stole a bottle of Cool Water cologne because of “Lodi Dodi.” I got a lifetime ban from Sears for sticking Cool Water up the sleeve of my Orlando Magic Start er jacket.”

Confi ned to his bedroom, the guitar—a Synsonics Terminator with a built-in speaker powered by a 9-volt battery—appeared to be his only salvation. So, he dusted it off and slowly started learning s ome chords.

“Th is was pre-internet, so I just had the toys in my room and luckily one of them was a guitar,” he said. “I remember shooting pool with my dad and asking him if he’d teach me a few things. He taught me what he knew and kind of reignited his passion for music.

Right away, I was into Jimi Hendrix. Th at was the fi rst thing I wanted to play on guitar so I could fi gure out how Jimi was getting tho se sounds.”

With the bar set ridiculously high, Lager forged ahead and began studying all the great blues artists, including B.B. King and Freddie King. As his guitar skills improved, Lager’s own style started to emerge. An amalgamation of blues, funk, soul, country, and rock, Lager’s music—whether with the Kris Lager Band or solo—transcends genres, allowing him to push his instrument to unimaginable heights, though these days he seems to be more count ry-leaning.

“I don’t really fit the cookie-cutter image of a blues artist,” he said. “In some regards, it had been a lot easier for me to sing Waylon Jennings or Otis Redding tunes. Th ere’s not a whole lot of diff erence between Chris Stapleton and me. Obviously, he has an amazing, phenomenal, golden voice, but from the

technical approach of where the music comes from and what we’re into, we’re similar. He fits so snug into country and I never have, even though I feel like I’m prett y country.”

Lager pauses. “What’s wrong, buddy?” He’s speaking to his son, and it’s hard not to empathize. It’s in that moment it becomes abundantly clear what matters to Lager the most. Now 43, a husband and father of three, his priorities have shifted to where family is at the top of the list. Gone are the days of endless touring, sleeping on couches (or worse), and traveling by smelly tour vans—he’s a family man. But in less than 48 hours, he’ll be expected on stage in Idaho, where he’ll have the opportunity to connect with another audience and share his love of music with them. He admits it’s something he wre stles with.

“I feel like I’m cursed with the music bug,” he said. “There’s times where I fantasize about not being so obsessed with music, honestly. My oldest is 14, so there’s some times where I’m like, ‘Dang, his childhood is pretty much almost over.’ So I question, ‘Should I be spending more time with my kids?’ Th at happens probably more than I’d like to admit. It happens a lot where you don’t realize the kid s need you.”

Still, Lager continues to diligently adhere to his responsibilities both at home and on the road or in the studio. His latest album, Black Dirt Troubadour, was released in 2024 and he’s been pumping out singles ever since. More recently, he teamed with frequent collaborator Andy Frasco for “Tumbleweed” featuring JJ Grey and Mofro, and has plans for another full-length solo album.

“I’m itching to do it because I got the material,” he said. “I just need to fi gure out what. Th at was one of the reasons why I’ve been depressed lately. I thought I’d have a record to be pushing now. I’m a little behind on my expectations for the year. But with what I have, I could probably do two or thre e records.”

With several goals in mind, he insists he’ll “never quit doi ng a band.”

“I feel like I’m just gonna fi nd that right amount of both,” he said. “Th at’s the trick. The balanc ing act.”

Visit krislager.com for more information on Lager’s music and where to watch him perform.

I feel like I’m just gonna find that right amount of both. That’s the trick. The bala ncing act.

A+C PHOTOGRAPHY

STORY by Sara Locke PHOTOGRAPHY by Bill Sitzmann DESIGN by Nickie Robinson

‘Stıll, Egypt’

Joseph Saaid Revisits a Homeland Through his Lens

By all accounts, Joseph Saaid is an adult. Educated, well-traveled, a business owner. But with the strength of a man, he holds tight to his childlike curiosity.

And never was this sense of wonder a greater strength to him than when taking his father, fresh off of a victory over cancer, to the home he hadn’t seen in decades.

I have been so blessed to be among such diverse communities, and I want people to realize there is more than what you’ll see even in the most balanced media.

–Joseph Saaid

“I was raised in Sudan, and I’d only been to Egypt once when my father learned he had been on a ‘list’ in Sudan and that our family wasn’t safe there anymore. We went to Egypt, where my father is from, to apply for visas,” Saaid recalled. “My parents didn’t explain the reason to me as a child. I was just told that we were moving closer to family. I had an uncle who lived in Omaha, and he’d agreed to sponsor us.”

“I didn’t know the truth until I was a teenager,” he said. “They did such an incredible job of sheltering us from the fear and the pain they were experiencing.”

At the age of 10, his father gifted him a camera. While the entire family was starting from scratch, Saaid was learning to look at the world twice—taking everything fi rst at face value, and then again, looking deeper. Seeing in his lens the opportunity to expand someone’s view, he felt responsible to accurately

and reverently record the world as it truly is—and as it can be—for those who may not get a chance to see the places he feels privileged to walk.

“I am self-employed as a photographer,” Saaid said. “I help people build credibility through photography. Sometimes that means an event, or branding, or headshots. I get to show people working within their business, helping effectively promote their work—to show, not tell.”

Saaid’s unique perspective is evident throughout his body of work. From headshots that reflect passion, compassion, and competence to images of events that inspire action and excitement, Saaid has built a door that allows you access to rooms you’ve never been in. And with his latest exhibit, Still, Egypt, he wants you to keep the land of your imagination, but to look again at how much richer and closer to home this “exotic” destination truly is.

”There is so much more to these landmarks than you’ve always heard,” Saaid said. “Cairo, Egypt, the Wonders of the World. I have been so blessed to be among such diverse communities, and I want people to realize there is more than what you’ll see even in the most balanced media. When I fi rst came to the U.S., I was in sixth grade and in public school for the fi rst time. The questions I got—‘do you have electricity? Do you have a bathroom?’ You are only shown the poverty of these places.”

But as long as people are asking those questions, as long as the curiosity remains, there is an opportunity to share an expanded view.

“I decided back in 2024 that I was going to make the journey to Egypt with my father,” he said. “He had just beaten a cancer that he was given very bad odds to survive. And that was just one more thing, among all the sacrifices he’s made and ways he had to fi nd new ways to live—there aren’t enough words.”

“When we came [to Omaha], he had multiple degrees and was an incredibly academic man,” Saaid said. “But his degrees weren’t valid here, and he wasn’t able to, for a number of reasons, acquire equivalents. So he worked day and night to provide for us in jobs that weren’t what he wanted for himself, and definitely didn’t want for us. But he’s a man of such incredible character. I was so honored to be able to come with him to the place where his story began.”

Saaid celebrated seeing his father back among his friends, embraced by a land where he was once a leader and a pillar of the community. Between the numerous invitations to people’s homes to be regaled with tales of his father’s youth, and treks to see the sights of the land of his own lineage, Saaid was still hard at work editing images for clients.

“Th is was a once in a lifetime trip–but each of my clients is my one chance to show how capable and audacious and brave they are,” he said. “Whether it’s a headshot or my Still, Egypt exhibit, it’s my chance to shatter people’s limiting beliefs, about themselves and the world around them. I wasn’t going to take a break from that or miss a deadline.”

But when it came to planning shots for his exhibit, Saaid let go and let his curiosity guide him. “I have never done anything like that before,” he said. “I always have a plan, but this time I just let it all unfold for me. I just trusted the process, and I am so excited for everything I have to share from this experience.”

Still, Egypt ran from March 9-23 and featured 20 large framed prints, a short fi lm, and a limited-run premium photo book.

Visit josephsaaid.com for more information.

METROPOLITAN COMMU NITY COLLEGE

ADVEN T U R E WIT H Z ER O P L AN N IN G

Just sign up and enjoy!

Each quarter, MCC Traveling Classrooms take guests on leisurely learning adventures for people of al l ages with wide-ranging interests. From arts and culture to sports experiences, local history and much more, no tour is exactl y the same.

And the best part MCC handles all the planning, including transportation via deluxe motorc oach, meals (depending on length of trip) and reservations. For frequent MCC travelers, it’s the best kind of lifelo ng learning .

MANSIONS & NEIGHBORHOODS OF INDEPENDENCE, MO: JULY 11

View magnificent mansions and lovely attractions including the BinghamWaggoner Mansion and Estate, the Vaile Mansion, plus the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

THE RIM OF THE PRAIRIE & ALDRICH HOUSE: JULY 23

Learn about the life of famous Nebraska writer Bess Streeter Aldrich and visit the Beatrice Baking Company, Homestead National Monument, St. Anthony’s Church and the Convent House Bed and Breakfast.

THE IOWA STATE FAIR: TOP TEN IN THE COUNTRY: AUG. 13

Experience a guided tour and 200-plus mouthwatering food choices, fabulous free entertainment, interesting exhibits, amusement rides and blue-ribbon competitions.

BLACK HILLS MONUMENTAL ADVENTURE: SEPT. 8

Explore the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Chapel in the Hills and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Visit Custer State Park for bison viewing; Fort Hayes, where “Dances With Wolves” was filmed; enjoy the views of Badlands National Park; and see the Sacagawea outdoor sculpture in C hamberlain

AUTUMN IN THE LOESS HILLS: OCT. 8

Visit Hitchcock and Willow Lake Nature Centers, Sawmill Hollow Family Farm, Preparation Canyon State Park and the Harrison County Historical Museum. The unique Loess Hills National Scenic Byway was named one of America's 10 most outstanding scenic byways.

FALL SPOOK-TACULAR TOUR: OCT. 16

Not for the fainthearted, this tour visits Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, known as the original “State Lunatic Asylum No. 2.” Explore the more than 130-year history of the state hospital with its stories of hauntings and bizarre mental health treatments. Your guide will focus on alleged paranormal activity in mansions and buildings.

TIPPER NEWTON LOVES A MIDNIGHT MOVIE

maha native Tipper Newton knows exactly the kind of movie experience she loves: weird, loud, communal, and just a little deranged. Her latest fi lm, F--- My Son!, is not trying to trick anyone into thinkin g otherwise.

“Th e title of it gives a good indication,” Newton said, laughing. “Some people go see the movie and they’re like, ‘Well, why did I go see this thing? Th is was gross.’ And it’s like, look at the title. It tells you everything right there. We’re not trying to hid e anything.”

Th e fi lm, based on a comic book by underground artist Johnny Ryan, is about an old lady who kidnaps a woman and her daughter and ties them up in her basement. Newton plays the woman, while the captor pressures her to “get with” her son—who, as Newton put it, is “basically like, you know, a monster. He looks like a monster.”

And yet, grotesque as the premise sounds, Newton insists the fi lm’s magic lies in its tone. “It’s very wacky. It’s very goofy, but also gross and disgusting,” she said. “It’s sort of meant to be seen with a crowd. It has that midnight movie type of vibe where it’s a lot of fun to watch it in a theater with a group of people just to hear the reactions.”

Her shorthand for the fi lm is irresistible: “I like to say it’s as if John Waters directed Texas Chainsa w Massacre.”

Th at energy carried into its Omaha premiere, where the movie screened on Jan. 2 after a pre-party at Page Turners before the screening itself began at Film Streams. Newton had every reason to expect a niche turnout, especially with a midnight screening. “I was like, ‘I’m fi ne if 10 people show up,’” she said. Instead, she was blown away. “I want to say maybe there was like, 900 tickets sold. Th at was really cool that people came out.”

Th e fi lm has traveled well. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and playing at Fantastic Fest and a festival in Europe, its offi cial screenings began in October at the IFC Center in New York. Since then, it’s been moving city to city, weekend by weekend. Th e release has been fi ercely independent. “Th is whole thing is being self-distributed or sort of distributed by a collective of fi lmmakers,” Newton said. “Basically, everyone’s doing it on their own.”

That DIY spirit tracks with the rest of her career.

Newton grew up in Omaha, graduated from Westside in 2004, and headed to Columbia College Chicago to study fi lm. “I was just always into movies,” she said. “I knew that’s what I wanted to be a part of.” Her parents, thankfully, were all in. “My parents were always supportive, because my mom is a singer and songwriter. My dad has always been into music as well, and they’re both into movies and stuff. Every Friday, we were at Cinema Center seeing whatever the new r elease was.”

At fi rst, though, she was close to staying home. She almost went to the University of Nebraska–Omaha before having a last-minute gut check during a placement test. “I remember looking around the room and I was like, ‘I don’t see one punk person here,’” she said. “I don’t know. It bothered me that I didn’t see one person that looked like a punk in the room.” Chicago won.

In school, Newton focused more on writing and directing than acting, but life outside the classroom pushed her toward performance. While in Chicago, she became friends with fi lmmaker Joe Swanberg and acted in one of his fi lms, which took her onto the festival circuit. Th ere, she met Todd Rohal, director of F--- My Son! , about 20 years ago. “It was sort of like the beginning of all their careers,” she said of that era, naming Greta Gerwig, the Duplass brothers, and Andrew Bujalski among the fi lmmakers coming up around her.

Now, Newton moves fluidly between acting, writing, and directing. Sometimes she’s hired simply as an actor, which off ers the luxury of focus. Other times, she’s making entirely her own work, raising money, directing, acting, and doing whatever else it takes. “I like doing it all,” she said. “But it’s harder to do more things.” Th ere’s freedom in creating your own roles, though. “Someone else might never cast me as this part, but I can cast myself as this part.”

Th at mindset is pushing her toward new work now. She’s fi nishing a feature script she hopes to make, while also weathering what she describes as a painfully slow industry. “On the acting front, that has just been totally dead,” Newton said. Still, she’s grateful acting isn’t her only creative outlet. “I do make my own stuff . And I also do music—I have a band and I play.

So I have a lot of creative outlets that I’m passionate about, so that I don’t have to go crazy not getting a cting jobs.”

Her résumé already includes guest spots on Curb Your Enthusiasm , Love , Th e Mindy Project , Th e Guest Book , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., 9-1-1: Lone Star, and How I Met Your Father. She lights up most when talking about roles with some bite. “I always have the most fun when it’s getting to play a big character,” she said. “I don’t want to be just the girlfriend who picks up some milk.”

Th e roles Newton writes for herself extend far beyond the grocery store, too. Two of her short features, Wild Card and The Dangerous Type —both available on Vimeo—open up this stylized, playful world of Newton's artistry, a world fi lled with vintage lighting, synth scores, and a quintessential bold f emale lead.

Th at love of boldness extends to what inspires her. Her favorite movie is Streets of Fire, a stylized 1984 cult classic that she said felt like “someone had taken things out of my mind and put them on the screen.” She also returns again and again to Amy Madigan’s work, especially in that fi lm, and to Nicolas Cage.

“I just like when people go for it,” she said. “You just got to go for it. With him,” she said of Cage, “you don’t always know what you’re going to get, but you know it’s going to be something interesting. Isn’t that why we go to see a movie? To be surprised and be entertained by something?”

And maybe that’s the simplest way to understand Newton’s work: surprising, maximal, a little punk, and always game for the big swing.

Follow Tipper Newton on Instagram at @t ippernewton.

ISN’T THAT WHY WE GO TO SEE A MOVIE? TO BE SURPRISED AND BE ENTERTAINED BY SOMETHING? –TIPPER NEWTON

For expanded content, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code.

paddlefish is a lucky fish. There’s no doubt about it. And I was feeling lucky to wake before dawn on a cold October morning to chase these living fossils on the Missouri River.

When we arrive at the boat ramp below Gavins Point Dam, a distant light from another boat signals that the day’s hunt has already begun. Ty Stromquist backs his rig into the icy water, revs the outboard motor, and we are off to snag monster paddlefish.

We use specialized, custom-designed rods to cast heavy-duty lines, ripping weights and treble hooks through the water column. We pivot to trolling beneath the towering dam wall when our arms tire, then switch back to casting, and back again. The sun comes up. More boats appear. Anglers on shore emerge from dawn shadows. A fisherman catches a paddlefish in the distance. Fear of missing out strikes hard.

Simply going fishing for paddlefish is a win (on a workday, no less), I remind myself. I had to win a lottery just to be here. Last year, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission received nearly 3,000 applications for its annual random draw for paddlefish snagging permits. The agency issues just 1,600. It was my first time landing a tag after years of missed chances.

“The paddlefish tag lottery is a fundamental component of our management,” said Kirk Steffensen, Missouri River program manager with Nebraska Game & Parks. “Because paddlefish are long-lived, late-maturing, and highly susceptible to overfishing, the lottery serves as the primary mechanism to balance high angler demand with the biological limits of the Missouri River population.”

Sometimes referred to as a “spoonbill,” the prize fish looks bizarre. A long, flattened “paddle” snout called a rostrum makes up a third of its total length, and it is covered with a crisscrossing pattern of electroreceptors. Its head tapers into a large, gaping mouth that filter-feeds on tiny organisms in the water. Adults swimming along Nebraska’s river corridor can live 30 to 50 years, and they can weigh more than 100 pounds.

Its rostrum, paired with a smooth, scaleless body, cartilaginous skeleton, and shark-like tail gives the fish a distinctly prehistoric profile. If not for ongoing fishery management strategies implemented on the Missouri River by Nebraska and South Dakota, the ancient fish might have gone extinct locally, too. The Chinese paddlefish (the last wild species outside of North America) was declared extinct in 2022. Case in point. This Nebraska fish is lucky.

Paddlefish are highly migratory. Adults swim up to 2,000 miles across river systems connecting the Missouri, Mississippi, and their tributaries. When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began damming the Upper Missouri in the mid-20th century, six mainstem obstructions rose from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border to the Fort Peck Dam upstream in Montana. The dams created barriers to paddlefish migration, and they destroyed adjacent habitat and flow conditions for spawning. The dams also created easy targets for anglers.

Fishermen quickly noticed paddlefish pooling up and swimming in circles underneath the dams. Because the fish are filter-feeders that consume large quantities of zooplankton, normal lures or baited hooks don’t work on the gentle giants. So, snagging foul-hooking the fish externally became a popular strategy. Too popular. Paddlefish populations crashed. Snagging these mighty fish made for exciting sport. Their firm white meat and roe (caviar) were an added bonus.

“The Nebraska paddlefish seasons have evolved from a yearround season with unlimited harvest [pre-Gavins Point Dam era], to a year-round season with limited take [post-Gavins Point Dam era], into a limited take with shortened season, and then into a derby fishery [first-come, first-served],” said Steffensen, adding that the most significant shift in local management occurred in 1997, “when Nebraska and South Dakota moved from a derby fishery [quota-based season] to a formal lottery system. This was done to manage the overwhelming demand and ensure that the harvest stayed within the management limits.”

Nebraska and South Dakota split the number of paddlefish licenses granted each year. The states share 3,200 snagging tags and 550 bowfishing tags below Gavins Point. Both states are also members of the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association that jointly manages paddlefish fisheries across 28 states in the Mississippi and Missouri River basins.

Bowfishing for paddlefish below Gavins Point takes place in summertime, throughout the month of June. Securing a permit and tag for paddlefish bowfishing also involves a random lottery, and that 14-day window opens on March 1. Anyone wanting to hunt paddlefish by bow this summer without a permit already confirmed will need to wait for next year.

My guide on the river, Ty Stromquist, has been fishing paddlefish at Gavins Point since the early ’90s. He started his own hunting and fishing guide company in 2005, and he has gradually focused his trips on paddlefish. Bowfishing is his passion in particular.

“There’s nothing like being able to see one of these big fish and shooting it with an arrow,” he said. “They fight like hell, and it’s one of the most exciting fishing experiences you can find in the Midwest. But mostly, I like seeing the joy on people’s faces when they catch what is often the biggest fish of their lifetime.”

An employee with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks is waiting in the parking lot. He measures the paddlefish, scans for a coded-wire tag, checks for a jaw tag, and looks over my own fishing tag and permit. After we are cleared, Stromquist cleans the fish effortlessly and gives me the fillets, along with the tagged rostrum (to be mounted as a souvenir at Humbug Creek Taxidermy in Pilger, Nebraska).

Before driving back to Omaha, we stop at the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery. There are fish ponds and a museum for the public, and the staff sometimes offer tours scheduled in advance. These tours grant a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation stocking efforts that help sustain wild populations of paddlefish, critically endangered pallid sturgeon, and other species.

Nebraska Game & Parks opens its online paddlefish lottery system for 14 days starting on July 1. The resident permit costs $35 ($60 for non-residents), including a nonrefundable $7 application fee. Unsuccessful applicants automatically receive a preference point for future drawings.

For those who aren’t ready to commit to the next season but want to catch paddlefish in the future, Steffensen said the July lottery window is also the time to purchase a preference point. These cost $17 for residents ($10 point fee plus $7 application fee) and increase the odds of drawing a permit in future years. “Most successful applicants in the snagging draw typically have one to two preference points,” he said. “Starting the ‘buy-in’ process now is the only way to ensure a bucket-list trip in a few years.”

The Nebraska snagging season runs the entire month of October, and snagging is allowed on the Missouri River from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, from Gavins Point to the mouth of the Big Sioux River. Along with the permit and tag, a valid fishing license is required.

Stromquist puts in the work. He provides the gear and guidance on snagging technique. He drives the boat and advises how to cast with proven experience, and he keeps the deck lively with friendly banter.

My pole arches with a strike a few hours before mid-day. “Fish on!” Stromquist shouts. I fight it to the boat, and the captain helps hoist it aboard. He whips out measuring tape to confirm it’s 33.5 inches from eye to the fork of its tail. Conservation officers tightly enforce a no-keep slot limit of 35 to 45 inches. During bowfishing season, in contrast, there is no slot limit and no catch-and-release requirement.

With my tag accounted for, the day’s paddlefishing is done. We zip over to the guide’s secret spot for smallmouth bass before wrapping up our half-day trip on the river. Stromquist fires up brats on the mini-grill while putting me onto a master angler-worthy smallmouth. After releasing it, we head back to the boat ramp.

Without hatchery-raised paddlefish introduced into vulnerable wild populations, hatchery biologist Jason Ilgen said the species would not be self-sustaining throughout its range on the Missouri River.

“Both paddlefish and pallid sturgeon are struggling because the dams prevent them from upstream migrations to spawn. That’s the parallel for the two fish,” Ilgen said. “The difference is that the dams actually help the paddlefish grow faster due to the reservoirs created on the river. Whereas the reservoirs are clearing up the water of the muddy Missouri, allowing sediment to settle, and aiding sight-feeding predators [like walleye, bass, and northern pike] to compete and eat the choice food of pallid sturgeons.”

Until habitat conditions improve, he said stocking will continue to supplement paddlefish populations to create an angling opportunity for sportfishing. For the pallid sturgeon, the hatchery work preserves the genetic integrity of the species.

I have my lucky fish in a cooler in the car for dinner when I get home. But as I drive south on I-29, I can’t help but wonder: Objectively, from the viewpoint of the paddlefish, it did not have

a lucky day. Could my good luck with this catch be harming the long-term sustainability of these weird-looking and vulnerable living fossils?

Ilgen calms my anxiety: “The allowed harvest is calculated to be sustainable, and with that said, the harvest also increases awareness by anglers and the general public about the species and its vulnerability. It’s not only a sustainable harvest, but the data gathered helps with species distribution and population management.”

The fisheries biologist came to Gavins Point from a previous job at the Bozeman Fish Technology Center in Montana. He loved fishing for paddlefish while living in Montana, and used to get a permit every year. But for the past five years, he hasn’t had luck. “I’m bitter about not being able to go,” he said, wishing that the draw wasn’t so competitive. “Now it’s so popular, it’s hard to get.”

With the lottery, it’s important to remember even if you are not successful, you are still helping aid the long-term luck of the paddlefish in the Missouri River just by trying and purchasing a license. So, why not consider putting in for a paddlefish tag this season? Good luck!

Visit outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

“We’d Rather Be The Best Than Apologize for Anything Less.” “Need an estimate?

Turning a lens to the nation and its people, photographers across the vast and varied United States have created an expansive visual record of places, communities, and historical events. A thematic survey of American photography from 1920 to today, this exhibition celebrates the aesthetic potential, documentary value, and social power of the medium.

The Radiologist Who Retraced a Legendary Antarctic Expedition

The Spirit of ADVENTURE By Day,

Derek Burdeny is a mild-mannered musculoskeletal radiologist, but don’t let the scrubs or the Canadian lilt to his voice or the 67-year-old’s grandfatherly bearing fool you. Underneath it all beats the heart of an adventurer and, as a self-directed scan would most assuredly show, a backbone of steel.

Even the laissez-faire manner in which he speaks of his less-than-ordinary excursions which range from tornado-chasing to having stepped foot on all seven continents tells of one for whom life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

“It's just, you know, I go to places I think are sort of cool,” he said. “Do I like risk? I don't know. It's not that I seek it out, I’m just sort of used to it.”

Even by Burdeny’s standards, his latest adventure was a doozy. Looking to complete his sweep of continents, he planned a trip to Antarctica, a daunting proposition in itself but thanks to the rise in ecotourism not an altogether unheard-of trip. Once he put his own personal spin on it, however to follow in the footsteps of famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton a mere journey turned into the experience of a lifetime.

“I'd heard of Ernest Shackleton for at least 20 years,” he said. “I found this one company based out of Australia called Aurora Expeditions and they have a small ship cruise called ‘In Shackleton's Footsteps.’ I thought, ‘Oh, that's cool.’”

Among the most famous of modern British explorers, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922), made two failed runs at being first to reach the South Pole, falling short by just 97 geographical miles on his second attempt. His legend was sealed during an attempt to cross Antarctica from sea to sea via the pole, aboard the appropriately named Endurance. During that voyage, the ship became trapped in and crushed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea sending Shackleton and 27 crew members onto an ice floe in October 1915.

A harrowing series of events followed, including Shackleton and his men navigating the frigid sea in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island, then a smaller crew advancing 800 miles to South Georgia to reach a whaling station for help. Landing on the wrong side of the island, the party hiked over uncharted mountains to reach the station. So severe were the

Story by Dwain Hebda

Photography by Bill Sitzmann

Design by Rachel Birdsall

conditions that it took three tries by ships sent specifically to pick up the remaining men waiting on Elephant Island, but incredibly, all members of the expedition survived, returning to England in 1917.

Burdeny’s experience was decidedly more plush than that enjoyed by Shackleton and his men, but reminders of the harsh and unforgiving ecosystem were on daily display during the 21-day trip last fall. During a stretch at sea traversing the notorious Drake Passage, Burdeny filmed the cruise ship as it rode waves and swells so monstrous at one point the entire nose of the ship plunged underwater.

“There is no evacuation on the Drake Passage; if you got sick or something happened on the Drake, there's just no way you could be saved,” he said. “The Coast Guard can't pick you up. There would have to be a ship close by, otherwise there’s just nothing.”

Another reminder of the fortitude of the Shackleton party came on South Georgia when some of Burdeny’s party, seasoned climbers, sought to cross the mountains as the desperate crew had done to reach the whaling station.

“In Shackleton’s day, nobody had ever gone across the island before. They put screws in the bottom of their shoes to act as like crampons and they had a small piece of rope, and they went across these huge mountains and glaciers in 36 hours,” he said. “The six people in our party were experienced mountaineers, they had modern gear, ropes, proper clothing, radios, and communications, and they spent two nights on the glaciers before they gave up. They just couldn’t make it.”

Shackleton would return once more with an expeditionary party but died of a heart attack in his bunk while his ship was moored in South Georgia. He was buried in Grytviken Cemetery. Burdeny, who took time to pay his respects at the explorer’s grave, is now forever linked to the famed expeditionist in a way few can match.

“It wasn't a quest, like, ‘OK, here's the list, let's check it off,’” he said. “It's like, oh my God, I should go there [Antarctica] and while I’m there, I can have this neat experience. It would have been a shame to miss it.”

Visit derekburdenyphotography.com for more information.

STORY BY Tim Trudell >> PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill Sitzmann >> DESIGN BY Nickie Robinson

mile marker

COUNCIL BLUFFS CELEBRATES ITS RAILROAD LEGACY

I

n 1859, a year before his election as president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln stood on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, surveying possible crossing spots for his dream of a transcontinental railroad. Today, Council Bluff s celebrates the city’s role as Mile Marker Zero of the Union Pacific Railroad.

While Council Bluff s lost out to Omaha as Union Pacific’s headquarters, the railroad, under the guidance of Army general Granville Dodge, began its western construction there.

Council Bluff s hosts its annual Railroad Days from noon to 6 p.m. on May 9-10, expanding to two days this year, as the United States prepares to observe its 250th anniversary. The event coincides with National Train Day on May 9.

Council Bluff s has been the sole host since 2022, when Omaha attractions Durham Museum and Lauritzen Gardens bowed out. Railroad Days caps the weeklong Celebrate Council Bluff s (May 4-10), which has a theme of “On Track CB,” honoring the city’s rail connection. A community parade also takes place the morni ng of May 9.

The city embraces its role as the kickoff point for the most famous railroad in the United States.

Among the unique attractions at the museum is a replica of a railcar built for President Lincoln’s personal use. Instead, the car was used to transport his body from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, following his assassination in April 1865.

Rail service grew after the Golden Spike was pounded into the ground at Promontory Point in Utah in 1869, marking the railroad’s completion.

Union Pacific offered passenger service from 1931-71. “It was a unique experience traveling by train, especially when Union Pacific operated its passenger trains with fi ne dining and a really elevated experience,” K aeding said.

Children of all ages can enjoy the hands-on experience of driving a locomotive simulator, as would-be engineers navigate tunnels and mountains.

While the Union Pacific Railroad Museum shares rail history, RailsWest provides interactive experiences, Barben said.

We’re shining a light on how important that is in America's history, and in Council Bluffs’ history, and really bringing that heritage to the forefront and celebrating it.

—Isabelle Kaeding

“It’s just such an integral thing to the identity of the community itself, and its history, that it’s the perfect place to have a two-day event dedicated to it,” said Madison Barben, former museum site manager at RailsWest History Museum.

With five attractions as part of Railroad Days, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and RailsWest rank as fan favorites because of the up-close history each offers visitors. A tour of Dodge’s home, art exhibits, and model trains at the Hoff Family and Culture Center, along with events at the Historic 100 Block of West Broadway, are also included as part of Ra ilroad Days.

Housed in a 1903 building, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum takes visitors on an interactive trek through history, from Lincoln’s visit through the days of passenger rail service.

“A lot of people might not even know that happened in Council Bluff s. We’re shining a light on how important that is in America’s history, and in Council Bluff s’ history, and really bringing that heritage to the forefront and celebrating it,” said Isabelle Kaeding, the museum’s hospitality and communications manager.

Locals visiting the UP Museum for the fi rst time may be surprised by the railroad’s story, Kaeding said. The railroad led to the creation of time zones.

“Since the railroad went across the whole nation, you needed that cohesion,” Kaeding said. “Every town operated differently, and it was incredibly hard to plan trains’ arrivals. If it’s 11 in one town, the next town over, it’s 11:30.”

“They can feel what it was like being in these train cars as a passenger or a railroad postal worker,” she said. “We have two engine locomotives that people can go inside the cab, and with one of them, you can ring the bell, which is always a super exciting thing.”

The 125-year-old train depot, home to both the Rock Island and Milwaukee railroads, is the lone remnant of depots that once dotted Council Bluff s’ landscape, Barben said. She’s excited to share the revived museum with locals. RailsWest has been closed for about a year while museum leaders evaluated its role and reorganized operations, she added.

With Railroad Days’ admission priced at $20 per family, it covers both days, Kaeding said. Complimentary trolley service will be available to transport people between attractions. Visitors to the UP Museum will see a new entrance space, as the museum will christen the renovated space during Ra ilroad Days.

With up to 1,000 people a day expected to visit the museum, Kaeding said she’s excited to share Council Bluff s’ story. The museum averages about 30,000 visitors annually, she said.

“We’re pretty unique in the fact that almost 90% of our visitors are from nationwide,” Kaeding said. “Railroad Days is really trying to bring the local audience in, and a lot of people might not even know that we’re in their backyard.”

Visit unleashcb.com for more information about Railroad Days.

Lead gthe Way

STORY by Brandi Long-Frank PHOTOGRAPHY by Bill Sitzmann

DESIGN

by Nickie Robinson

FHow Isaac Gibson’s Scout ing Journey Shaped a Calm, Confident Leader

or Isaac Gibson, Scouting has never been just about camping–it’s been a proving ground for leadership, resilience, and personal growth.

A member of Troop 430, Gibson recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting. Along the way, he has taken part in high-adventure experiences across the country, from the mountains of New Mexico to the open waters of the Florida Keys, each one helping shape the kind of leader he is today.

“I would describe my leadership during my time in the troop as hands-on and team-focused,” Gibson said. “I served as the senior patrol leader, which is the highest elected position, and that meant I was responsible for running our weekly meetings, planning activities, and making sure everything stayed on track. It was about making sure the troop functioned well and that everyone was supported.”

Th at role required more than organization; it demanded emotional intelligence. Over time, Gibson learned how to bring out the best in others.

“I developed the ability to recognize people’s strengths and use them effectively,” he said. “I learned how to identify where someone might excel and then give them opportunities to contribute to t hose areas.”

Th at ability to lead with intention and awareness didn’t happen overnight. It was built through years of experience, starting in elementary school and continuing through increasingly challenging environments.

In 2023, Gibson attended the National Jamboree in West Virginia, joining thousands of Scouts from across the country. The trip included nearly two weeks of travel and camping, where long days and close quarters tested patience a nd teamwork.

“Isaac was the smooth, level head that kept our scouts from being upset at each other the whole trip,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Charissa Wood. “He was able to tell when we needed to take breaks from each other, and his calm tone and demeanor was a ga me-changer.”

The following year brought a new challenge: Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. There, Gibson was selected as crew leader for a multiday backpacking trek through rug ged terrain.

“Th at was my fi rst time leading in that kind of environment, and it really pushed me to step up and take responsibility for the group,” Gibson said.

According to Wood, he rose to t he occasion.

“I was told by both scouts and adults on his trek that he led with calm and grace, keeping some of the more passionate scouts from losing it when they got lost or ran out of water,” she said. “I truly believe his leadership with the Philmont trek is what inspired the scouts to elect him to senior pat rol leader.”

Gibson carried that same steady presence into another major experience: Sea Base, a sailing expedition in the Florida Keys. After months of preparation, including swim training multiple times per week, he was elected crew leader once again.

GEN O

“Even in moments where tensions rose, he never wavered,” Wood said. “His calm, patient leadership helped us get through tho se moments.”

These types of trips are designed to do more than teach outdoor skills. Troop 430 follows a “Scout-led, adult-guided” model, giving youth the opportunity to plan, problem-solve, and adapt i n real time.

“It takes 18 to 24 months of planning, training, and commitment,” Wood explained. “Scouts learn communication, compromise, budgeting, and how to adjust when things don’t go as planned—skills they’ll carry into adulthood.”

Mentorship has also played a key role in Gibson’s journey. Over the years, Scout leaders became trusted advisors, offering guidance that went beyond Scouting itself.

“Someone like Charissa Wood is more than just a leader, she’s someone I can reach out to for advice, even outside of Scouting,” Gibson said. “They’ve all played a big role in helping me grow, not just as a scout, but a s a person.”

“

I developed the ability to recognize people’s strengths and use them effectively. I learned how to identify where someone might excel and then give them opportunities to contribute to those areas.

–Isaac Gibson

“

Wood, in turn, sees Gibson as a standout among his peers, not just for his accomplishments, but for how he treats others.

“He is kind to all and has a genuine way about him that allows others to be comfortable in his presence,” she said. “He allows everyone to speak and feel heard, even if the fi nal decision doesn’t go their way. Th at’s a ra re quality.”

As Gibson looks ahead, he plans to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, carrying forward the lessons he’s learned through years of Scouting.

“I know I’ll continue to use the skills I learned, leadership, teamwork, and even practical skills like planning outdoor adventures,” he said. “It’s something I’ll carry with me into whatever I do next.”

For Troop 430, stories like Gibson’s reflect the deeper purpose of Scouting: building confident, capable leaders prepared for whatever comes next.

“Scouting allows youth to dream, plan, execute, fail, learn, and grow,” Wood said. “It opens doors, creates bonds, and encourages exploration of the world around them.” And for Gibson, that journey is just getting started.

Visit troopwebhost.org to learn more about Isaac Gibson’s Omaha Troop 430.

no

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA

Up, Up, and Away!

The Ultimate Guide to High-Altitude Adventures in Omaha

If you are looking for an adventure that will literally knock you o your feet, these exciting excursions will get you up in the air and keep your feet o the ground. Whether you are ying high in the sky in a hot air balloon or jumping to new heights at a trampoline park, these high-altitude activities are perfect for some gravity-defying fun.

1

Scenic Wind Balloon Tours

SCENICWINDBALLOONS.COM

Scenic Wind Balloon Tours offer the chance to fly above the ground, like an eagle soaring in the sky. See the sunrise or sunset in hot-air balloon fl ights throughout the Omaha and Council Bluff s area. From late March to September, these majestic balloons can be booked for tours. However, all fl ights are weather dependent for everyone’s safety. View Omaha from above as you float peacefully among the clouds in this beautiful and breathtaking experience.

Jump Omaha Skydiving

411 CHURCH ROAD, PLATTSMOUTH • JUMPOMAHA.COM

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, stop by Jump Omaha Skydiving for an exciting excursion. With tandem skydiving, you won’t have to jump alone and will be accompanied by a trained and licensed instructor the entire dive. Experience the thrill of jumping off a plane at 10,000 feet for a 120 mph free fall. Jumpers of all levels are welcome. No prior experience is needed, and instructors will lead you through a comprehensive training beforehand.

TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest

1111 BELLEVUE BLVD. N., BELLEVUE • TREERUSH.COM

Climb and zipline through the trees at Fontenelle Forest for the true TreeRush experience. TreeRush Adventures offers bridges, ziplines, and swings located just behind the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. Choose between five levels of ropes courses ranging from easy to expert. Swing through the trees, zip through the air, balance over bridges, and become truly immersed in the forest.

For those more outdoorsy and adventurous, consider zipline and ropes courses in parks like Fontenelle Forest or Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. True daredevils looking for a more exhilarating option can check out skydiving for a life-changing experience. Discover what life looks like above ground in all of these thrilling activities and you’ll be sure to get up, up, and away to a good time.

Go Ape Omaha

28500 WEST PARK HIGHWAY, ASHLAND GOAPE.COM/LOCATION/NEBRASKA-ASHLAND

Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park offers a variety of activities to maximize outdoor fun. From ziplines and ropes courses to nighttime climbing and outdoor escape rooms, there is something for everyone at Go Ape. Zip through the trees on ziplines up to 440 feet long and climb through obstacles and bridges onto platforms as high as 40 feet. Located in Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, this zipline and ropes course is calling you to the wild.

Altitude Omaha

5575 N. 90TH ST., OMAHA ALTITUDETRAMPOLINEPARK.COM/LOCATIONS

4 5 6

Catch some air at Urban Air Omaha and jump on their plethora of bouncy trampolines. With attractions like dodgeball, basketball, APEX trampolines, and a warrior course, this trampoline park also offers activities like a ropes course, climbing walls, bumper cars, and an indoor playground. Choose your high-altitude adventure at Urban Air Omaha for a day of family-friendly fun. 2 3

For some active family fun, visit the trampoline park Altitude Omaha. Jump on gravity-defying trampolines in the main court or play a competitive game of trampoline dodgeball or basketball. Other attractions include the trapeze, tumble track, battle beam, high dive, and more. Altitude Omaha is the perfect place for jumping out the zoomies and having some high- energy fun.

Urban Air Omaha

15364 WEIR ST., OMAHA • URBANAIR.COM/NEBRASKA-OMAHA

Story by Dawaune Lamont Hayes

Design by Rachel Birdsall

Photography by William Wentworth, courtesy of Durham Museum

You Learn More When You Wander

WanderNebraska Explores Juneteenth in Omaha History

ebraska is made up of over 49.5 million acres. You can live your whole life in the state and never really see or know much about the rails, trails, and tales that span between the metropolitan streets, small towns and farms, and vast Sandhills.

“I just want to help promote Nebraska as a state that has so much history, information, and great, energetic people and entrepreneurs,” said Sara Crook. Ph.D.

Crook taught Nebraska history at Peru State College for 38 years where she and fellow faculty worked together to get students out of the classroom and into the fields. After retiring from teaching, she proposed the creation of WanderNebraska, a program hosted by the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, as an opportunity for the public to explore the state and places of historical significance.

“I find that people really appreciate history more when they actually go and see the sights. I call it ‘experiential learning.’ The information you learn is going to stick with you a little bit more than if you just read or hear about it,” she said. “Our first tours were in 2024, three in 2025, and we have three planned for 2026.”

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN!

—Sara Crook

WanderNebraska started by offering multiday excursions exploring the Lewis & Clark Trailhead, famous Nebraska authors like Willa Cather and her hometown of Red Cloud, and unique architectural marvels across the Great Plains. Feedback from attendees invited Crook to consider how experiences could expand.

“We asked some of our participants, if we were to design new tours, what they wanted to see and several mentioned wanting to know more about North Omaha history, as well as one day tours,” she said. Thus the Juneteenth Tour was born.

To be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, the inaugural Juneteenth Tour is a one-day journey that picks up participants in Lincoln and brings them to Omaha with stops at the Great Plains Black History Museum, Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, Salem Baptist Church, Negro Motorist Green Book locations, and lunch at Big Mama’s Kitchen. “It’s a full day!” Crook said.

Juneteenth commemorates the legal end of slavery of Black people in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger ordered the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, the last Confederate slave state, after the Civil War.

The abolition of slavery was added to the U.S. Constitution through the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude, “except as punishment for a crime.” After the 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865, slavery was completely ended in all states, including holdouts Delaware and Kentucky.

Since then, Juneteenth has become a national celebration for Black people and allies to recognize the power of freedom and the long road to equal rights and autonomy in the United States.

The Great Plains Black History Museum will be hosting their exhibition, Black Citizenship in Age of Jim Crow, at the time of the tour. “We cover from the 1857 Dred Scott [v. Sandford Supreme Court] case up until the 1960s Civil Rights Movement,” said Eric Ewing, the museum’s executive director. Their permanent collection will also be on display, including Omaha streets named after prominent Black residents and key artifacts from the Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras.

Ewing wants to invite anyone interested in learning more about Nebraska Black history to come to the museum year-round and support by spreading the word and becoming a member.

Juneteenth celebration activities will be happening in North Omaha the weekend before and after the tour, beginning on Saturday, June 13, with the annual parade along North 24th Street and Omaha Freedom Festivals at Miller Park and Gene Leahy Mall. The museum will be hosting its Negro League exhibit on the Mall. Juneteenth JoyFest will be held June 20 at 24th & Lake streets.

As for WanderNebraska, Crook said space is still available for the Juneteenth tour, and hopes people will also join for the Golf & History tour happening July 7-10. The NSHS Foundation also supports small towns and local historical societies with grants for archival supplies, special projects, and preservation efforts.

For more information on WanderNebraska tours, visit nshsf.org. Learn more about the Great Plains Black History Museum at gpblackhistorymuseum.org.

Dr. Kristi Tackett-Newburg

Salina Anderson, APRN

Geraldine Alexis, LIMHP, PLADC

Julie Bierman, LCSW, LMHP

Chantel Bruha, LIMHP, LADC

Korrie Conners, LMHP, CSAT

Kirby Davis, LMHP

Peggy Deaver, LIMHP, CPC

Davin Dickerson, APRN

Beth Farrell, LCSW, LIMHP

Dumayi Gutierrez, PhD, LMHP

Lucy Hancock, MA

Charlene Hills, LCSW, LIMHP

KG Langdon, APRN

Mary Loftis, LMHP, CPC

Kim Mueller, LIMHP, CPC

Nicole Obrecht, LIMHP

Kara Schneider, BA

Marty Stoltenberg, APRN-BC

Kristi Tackett-Newburg, PhD, LIMHP

Greg Tvrdik, LIMHP, CPC

Sarah Wenzl, LMHP, CPC

Michele Yanney-Wehbi, LIMHP, CPC

Management * EMDR Therapy

Emotional Wellness Coaching

Evaluations * Couples Therapy

First came the rain, then winds picked up, and soon waves began tossing her boat.

Taryn Smith had just pushed off from La Gomera in Spain’s Canary Islands when the sky shifted. She had trained for this moment for three years—thought about it for even longer— and still the launch felt abrupt. With just a quick push, she was off. Just her and a 24-foot rowboat alone on t he Atlantic.

The World’s Toughest Row, a race across the Atlantic Ocean, had already been delayed to Dec. 14, 2025 by a huge storm. When the weather fi nally cleared enough, 114 rowers on 43 boats gathered for the staggered start. For a week leading up to it, Taryn and competitors went through a race briefi ng every morning and spent their days performing safety checks and practice launches. But there was no way for her to practice the real thing.

“I was the second-to-last boat to leave,” Taryn said. “It felt like I blinked and it was my turn to go. I sat down and took my oars, and they did a countdown.”

Alone, she rowed into the rainstorm and record books.

Taryn grew up in triple-landlocked Omaha, but the water was never absent from her life. Some of her earliest memories were at Nebraska lakes, where she spent time on boats, a connection that traced back to both of her g randfathers.

“I think that’s one of the most defi ning things in my life,” she said. “My grandfather on my mom’s side sailed at Branched Oak near Lincoln, and my grandfather on my dad’s side sailed out at Johnson Lake. I got to spend lots of time on boats, and I inherited their fascination with them.”

She remembered the feeling clearly. “I remember from a really young age just feeling so free whenever I was on a boat, because you’re completely locked into the moment,” she said. “There’s nothing else you can t hink about.”

Even then, the pull toward something bigger was there, though it didn’t have a clear direction yet. “I remember when I was in third grade, I wrote an essay, and it was about, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?” she said. “I remember writing that I would want to go to the middle of the ocean. And I have no idea where that answer came from, but I've always been intrigued by big adventures. I love Omaha. I love my home state so much. I am such a Nebraskan at heart, but I also love exploring the world and throwing myself into t he unknown.”

Th at tension between home and elsewhere became more defi ned in her twenties. A trip to Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains turned into a job at Redfish Lake Lodge. What was supposed to be a summer became five years. Half the year she worked there. The other half, she traveled.

“Discovering seasonal work in my 20s was such a gift,” she said. “I got to have a lot of freedom, and I got to explore and meet new people and try new things.”

Her fi rst big solo trip took her to the French Alps. It was a shift not just geographically, but personally. “It showed me that being alone can be really fun because you get to meet more people,” Taryn said.

—Taryn Smith “ “

Even on the really dark days when it was raining and I was miserable and scared, there was never a moment where I would have teleported out, because I wanted to go through it and get to the other side.

Eventually, in the summer of 2022, she came across something that changed her trajectory entirely. “I was in my room at Redfi sh, and we had very, very spotty Wi-Fi service there,” she said. “So it’s a miracle I saw it at all, but I was just scrolling and saw this article about a team of women who rode across the Pacific. Their story completely captivated me, and I had this moment of really intense jealousy.”

The idea stayed with her. She thought about what it would be like to wake up alone on a boat in the middle of the ocean, about the physical toll, the unknown. In November 2022, sitting in an airport shortly after running the New York City Marathon and preparing to fly to Patagonia, she made a decision.

“I sent the email and registered to row across the ocean.”

She didn’t tell many people right away. “I sat with it privately for a bit,” she said, before sharing it with close friends and family and eventually announcing it publicly in early 2023. Once it was real, the preparation stretched out over three years.

She trained physically, working in the gym and building strength she had never needed before. “I got really strong over the past three years,” Taryn said. “I had never lifted before this, and another thing that surprised me was how much I enjoy it.”

Before she knew it, Taryn was overseas, fully immersing herself in an unfamiliar sport. She learned how to row at the Ocean Rowing Centre in southern England, studied navigation and sea survival with Seasports Southwest, and spent extended time in Europe working with Rannoch, the company that built her boat. The boat itself, an R25, was designed for crossings like this—24 feet long, narrow, self-righting if capsized, with small cabins at each end. It carried everything she would need for 3,000 miles. By April 2025, she was in Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, living on it.

The fi rst night was not reassuring.

“I was laying there in the cabin, and it was really loud. There were waves crashing around the boat, and I was cold,” she said. “I thought, ‘Taryn, what have you done? Th is is such a bad idea.’”

The conditions didn’t improve right away. Stormy weather kept her from even getting out on the water for the fi rst couple of days. When she fi nally did, something clicked. “I remembered why I wanted to do something like this,” Taryn said.

Still, the learning curve was steep. Handling a 24-foot boat alone in a crowded marina came with its own challenges. “It’s a very popular town for sailing, and lots of people keep their boats there,” she said. “Navigating my boat up and down the river without hitting anyone else’s or hitting a buoy was really difficult. Luckily, I didn’t hit anything by some miracle, because most [fi rst-timers] do either run aground or hit a buoy, or worse, another boat.”

She described feeling cold, alone, and overwhelmed during these fi rst few nights. It was harder, in some

ways, than the open ocean would be. “Th at was the toughest period of this entire endeavor. Once you’re out at sea, the only option is to cope. Your only option is to keep going,” she said. When she was in Essex, everything was different. “It still felt like everything was sort of a choice. It felt like every day I had to opt into training.”

Her parents, Shelly and Burke Smith, saw her determination early. “I can either get behind her on this, or I can tell her I think it’s nuts, and she’ll probably figure out a way to do it without my help,” Shelly said. They chose to support her. “I knew she was serious about it and that she was going to do everything that she could to physical ly prepare.”

In December 2025, they traveled to La Gomera ahead of the race. “I wanted to meet the people she was working with, training with, the safety team members,” Shelly said. “The overwhelming sense I got…was that this is a community, it’s a family.”

Th at community extended beyond the start line. During the race, Shelly became Taryn’s main point of contact, sharing updates with a growing audience. “I was her emergency contact, and I managed her socials,” she said. “I don’t know many 25-year-olds that would feel comfortable turning over their social media to their parents.” Taryn checked in regularly, sending videos and messages. Burke tracked weather patterns, offering updates when she needed them.

The system worked, but it didn’t remove the underlying worry. “My biggest concerns were over her physical and mental well-being,” Shelly said. She relied on tools like the YB Races tracking app to follow Taryn’s progress. “On your phone, you can follow all kinds of races all over the world. When I knew that app was going to be tracking her 24/7, that was a really big moment for me. I could see at any given point during the day exactly where she was, where the other boats were. It gave me a lot of peace so that I could go to sleep at night.”

Taryn fi nally pushed off on Dec. 14 with 3,000 miles of open ocean ahead of her. The early days were driven by adrenaline, but the physical toll arrived quickly.

“The fi rst week, I went through a series of things that hurt,” she said. “First it was my knees, then my obliques were on fi re. Then it was my lower back. Toward the end, I had a lot of chafi ng that was pret ty painful.”

She settled into a routine, though not a rigid one. Some solo rowers follow strict schedules, alternating hours of rowing and sleeping, but she found something looser worked better for her. She would row for 10 to 12 hours during the day, stopping to eat, check her position, or call home, then rest in longer stretches at night, waking every couple of hours to make sure she was stil l on course.

A typical day started before sunrise. She would row for a few hours, stop for a small breakfast, then continue through the morning. Around noon, she would check her latitude and longitude and make sure all her systems were working. In the early afternoon, she kept her satellite phone on in case the safety team called. In

the evening, she would call her parents and send a video update, then row a little longer before climbing into the cabin to rest.

The food was simple but constant. Ocean rowers burn more than 4,000 calories a day, and everything she ate had to be packed before the start (and schlepped around the world in suitcases from Omaha). She brought freeze-dried backpacking meals, protein bars, candy, crackers, dried fruit, and large amounts of Nutella and pe anut butter.

There were a few small comforts. Whenever it rained, she allowed hersel f one treat.

“One luxury was that whenever it rained, I would listen to the movie Pride and Prejudice,” she said. “I would press play and stow my phone away in my cabin and listen to that, because I absolutely hate the rain. Whenever it rained, I gave myself that one joy.”

“

The physical difficulty was constant, but the mental strain came from always being alert. Even when she was resting, she wasn’t fully resting. She had to wake up regularly to check her direction and watch for changes in weather. “One of the toughest parts is always being on alert,” Taryn said. “I was always ready for something to go wrong, and that was very mentally taxing, to not have a break for 46 days.”

Sleep deprivation made everything harder. “You’re never truly yourself if you’re not sleeping, and my hardest days were always the ones I was out on sleep,” she said.

About 10 to 12 days before the fi nish, she went through one of the most difficult stretches of the entire crossing.

“I woke up and there were clouds everywhere,” Taryn said. “Couldn’t see the sun. There were huge waves coming from every direction, and my boat got knocked so that instead of facing due west, it was pointed directly south. The waves were crashing over the side, which is dangerous, because at any point a wave could crash over the side and capsize the boat. So the boat was pinned, and I had to work really hard to row it around and get it pointed in the right direction.

A big wave would come over the deck of my boat with such force that it would knock me out of my shoes—my shoes would stay in the footstraps and I would be on the deck of the boat.

—Taryn Smith

She also carried a small Nebraska volleyball in her cabin, a reference to Cast Away. It became a reminder of home, something familiar in a place that rarely felt that way.

“The most important milestones were every 500 miles,” she said. “I had a snack pack to celebrate every time I got to 500 miles.”

“The fi rst three weeks, I felt really good,” she said. “There were hard moments, there were stressful times, but I felt good. I was having fun. I was on an adventure, and we had amazing weather.” Back home, Shelly settled into a routine of her own. Taryn would send videos and updates, and Shelly would post them online, where an audience began to grow. “Taryn would send me a video, and Instagram became my sort of unofficial volunteer job,” Shelly said.

Around day 27, the race changed.

Th at was the fi rst day Taryn said she felt truly scared, not because of how far she was from land, but because of the weather. “There were huge waves,” Taryn said. “A big wave would come over the deck of my boat with such force that it would knock me out of my shoes—my shoes would stay in the footstraps and I would be on the deck of the boat.”

From Nebraska, Shelly noticed the difference immediately. “Day 27 was the fi rst time she really presented herself in a way that made her look and sound more vulnerable than she had been up to this point,” she said. “I asked her, ‘Are you sure you want me to put this out?’”

“

“The rest of the day, the wind kept building, and the weather got bigger and bigger. The waves were ginormous. Massive waves were crashing over the sides of the deck again, which is an unnerving feeling, because the boat kind of tips.

“At the end of the day, I called my dad and I asked for the weather— he would give me weather updates. Normally, we would have big weather, and then I’d have a break, and the next day it would die down. I called my dad, and I was really close to tears, and said, ‘Hey, Dad, can you give me the weather update for the next week?’ And he had no context for what I had been through that day. He said, ‘It’s going to continue like this for about a week, and whatever you have, that’s what you’re going to have for a week.’ He said it pretty lightly, like he didn’t understand what I had just gone through, and I just started bawling.”

The next day was still windy, but the waves were more consistent and easier to manage. She kept moving west.

Despite the hardest moments, there were parts of the experience she didn’t expect. “What surprised me most was how free I felt,” she said. “I was out in the middle of the ocean by myself. I wasn’t reading the news, I wasn’t online, I wasn’t seeing any marketing, and I didn’t have anyone else putting expectations on me. I wasn’t perceived, no one saw what I looked like in a day, and that was a really liberating feeling.”

Back home, the audience following along kept growing, and so did the impact of the fundraiser tied to her row. Taryn partnered with Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that teaches life skills and confidence through an after-school running progra m for girls.

Amy Cyphers, the executive director of Girls on the Run of Nebraska, said Taryn reached out on her own. “She reached out and said, ‘Hey, I am going to do this row, and I’d like to raise money for your organization,’” Cyphers said.

Taryn didn’t just raise money. She showed up in person before the race, bringing a rowing machine to a spring event so the girls could try it, then coached a team in the fall. “Having that big of a goal and then actually following through makes her a unicorn,” Cyphers said.

The fundraiser brought in over $40,000, a significant amount for a nonprofit with an annual budget of about $250,000. “She’s the biggest donor we’ve had in our 23-year history by far,” Cyphers said. Just as important was the attention the row brought to the organization. “The donations came in from everywhere. People were so inspired by her and believed in her and believed in our mission.”

As the miles began to wind down, the weather eased. “My last couple days were really special,” Taryn said. “The penultimate day, the wind chilled out a lot, and I had a lot of fun. The clouds went away, the water was really blue again. It was warm, it was sunny, and it was a really nice way to end things.” Her fi nal day at sea was calm, too. Then she saw land for the fi rst time in 46 days. “When I could actually see land, that was huge, and I was smiling ear to ear,” she said.

But the fi nal mile was not easy. As she approached Antigua, cliff s rose along the coastline, and the wind began pushing her toward them. “In my mind, I thought I was seconds away from crashing into the cliff s,” she said. “I thought I was about to crash my boat in front of half a million people.”

Navigating the Caribbean island’s coast was her fi rst deviation from course. “A friend of mine plotted her location every single day at noon, and she was basically in a straight line,” Shelly said. “She had a really good course with one small exception, which makes for a really g reat story.”

“I eventually made it around the corner into the harbor, and that was the happiest moment of my life, rounding the corner, seeing friends and family. Everything was so bright and vivid,” she said. “There’s all these super yachts around, and they’re all honking their horns, and huge crowds are cheering. I got my fl are out to indicate that I finished the race and kept rowing up to the docks. I could see my mom and dad and a really good friend there, and stepped on land to give them a huge hug. My legs were really wobbly, and I was pretty shaky because I hadn’t walked in two months.”

It had taken her 46 days, 3 hours, and 37 minutes to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

She became the fi rst American woman to complete the World’s Toughest Row solo and the third American woman to row across an ocean. Even after everything, she said there was never a moment when she wanted to quit.

“Even on the really dark days when it was raining and I was miserable and scared, there was never a moment where I would have teleported out, because I wanted to go through it and get to the other side,” she said.

If she could go back and talk to herself on the shore in La Gomera before the start, she knows what she would say. “I would tell her that all weather passes,” she said. “You’re going to be okay.”

Th ough Taryn said she’s leaving ocean rowing behind for now, she’s already thinking about her next adventure. “I will take on another big adventure at some point,” she said. “I think it will probably involve running.”

Perhaps that journey will be guided the same way as this one. Not by reason, but by something harder for her to explain.

“It was difficult to explain why I needed to row across the ocean—for me, it was just something that I felt like I had to do,” she said. “I feel like that’s kind of the point of life, to go out and take on big adventures.”

For more information on Taryn’s solo Atlantic row and other adventures, visit tarynsmithmovement.com. For more information and to get involved with Girls on the Run Nebraska, visit gotrnebraska.org.

“Once you’re out at sea, the only option is to cope. Your only option is to keep going.”

—Taryn Smith

FO SSIL FREEWAY FO SSIL FREEWAY

A Journey Through Nebraska’s Prehistoric Past

Forget the T. rex, stegosaurus, and brontosaurus. Nebraska, once a prehistoric sea, had bizarre-looking mammals roaming the prairie. Imagine a pig the size of a bison wandering the open plains, or a “bear-dog” devouring its prey near a group of miniature rhinos.

Fossils from a Serengeti-like landscape, skulls of giant bison, and marine life the size of coins can be found along the Fossil Freeway between Hot Springs, South Dakota, and Kimball in Nebraska’s panhandle. From Toadstool Geological Park to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, the Fossil Freeway includes fi ve stops in northwe st Nebraska.

Since 2009, the Fossil Freeway has included opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, biking, camping, and stargazing. When exploring, plan to spend a couple of days there to fully appreciate the area’s significance.

Located on the north end of the Fossil Freeway near Crawford, Toadstool Geological Park off ers a majestic view of the prairie. With its white rocks and mounds rising skyward, Toadstool has been nicknamed Nebraska’s “Badlands.” Named because of rock formations resembling mushrooms, Toadstool juts from the surface as the result of water and wind erosion among silt, sandstone, and clay.

Th ree trails challenge hikers’ skills. A onemile interpretive loop takes hikers along the stones and formations while the Bison Trail splits midway through the loop, following a canyon three miles to the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center. A fi vemile loop begins at the park’s campground and takes hikers to the Bison Trail and Toadstool Campground.

“The Grand Canyon is this immense, impressive, inspirational place, but it’s very hard to go there and not be surrounded by 100 other people,” said Ann Gentle, who lives in Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood. “When I went through the park, maybe there were a couple other people. It was really not heavily visited. Th at meant there was this really big quiet other tha n the wind.”

Story by Tim Trudell

As she hiked through Toadstool Geological Park, Faith Mills just happened to look down at the ground, catching a glimpse of a nickel-sized fossil of a marine creature embedded in the river bed.

“It was beautiful, and probably some sort of weather had made it fresh and beautiful and nice,” said Mills, a former Omahan who now calls Scott sbluff home.

The Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, the second stop on the Fossil Freeway, allows an up-close view of prehistoric bison. A fossilized bonebed of about 600 bison was discovered by ranchers in 1954.

Considered a major archaeological fi nd in North America, the core of the kill site is located inside a climate-controlled structure, where you can observe as researchers unearth fossils to better understand the area and any role Paleo Ind ians played.

In nearby Crawford, rock collectors and fossil enthusiasts appreciate the exhibits at Prairie Agate Rock Shop and Fossil Museum. Th e museum showcases fossils from northwest Nebraska, as well as from around the world. Visitors receive tips about rock and fossil collecting, including ones that are prohibited from being collected in the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands, such as vertebra e and teeth.

At the Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson State Park, visitors see the fossils of two mammoths that died with tusks locked in battle. It may be one of the major North American archeological fi nds of the 2 0th century.

Th e museum, open April to October, is one of several attractions at the state park, which historically served the military as an outpost during westward settlement to a World War II prisoner- of-war camp.

Design / Illustration by Joey Winton

Near Harrison, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument was home to thriving mammal species in the Cenozoic Era more than 20 million years ago.

Animals of all shapes and sizes gathered near a grassland’s watering hole. Miniature rhinos and prehistoric horses roamed the area alongside the dinohyus, a pig the size of a modern-day bison, and the daeodon, or “bear-dog.”

Scientists believe the water source dried up, leading to vegetation’s death and the extinction of the creatures.

Th e park’s visitors center has a small museum showcasing the fossils as they may have looked up to 20 million years ago. A two-mile path loops past the two main dig sites, where fossils were found by paleontologists in the 1890s. Th e conical hills—Carnegie and University—have been dubbed “Th e Great Bonebe d of Agate.”

Nebraska’s prehistoric period intrigues Georgene Gottsch. Th e Valley resident has visited Agate twice.

“It’s in the middle of nowhere, but has the beautiful rolling prairie,” Gottsch said. “We were very impressed by the visitors center. Wonderful display of prehistoric animals, as well as a small video room with a short movie about the history of the area.”

Whether your hobby is rock collecting or you’re a fan of America’s prehistoric times, or if you just love the attractiveness of the Great Plains, the Fossil Freeway combines beauty with an eye-opening experience few people may know about in the state.

Kimberly Drewniok has come a long way from her hometown village of Balve, Germany, since joining the League One (LOVB) Nebraska professional volleyball team two years ago. But to her, the Midwest has almost felt like home.

Balve’s nearest big city, Dortmund, is comparable to the distance between Omaha to Gretna, but because of the back roads in and out of her hometown village, it would take about an hour for Drewniok to drive to the big city. From downtown Omaha to its surrounding rural areas, she takes delight in the shorter commute.

Th at’s important to someone with her rural background and a love for animals.

“I had always a big connection to animals— horses, dogs, cats, goats—whatever you can imagine,” Drewniok said in the spring during LOVB Nebraska’s second season.

Her mom, Petra, is involved with horse rescues in Germany. While growing up, the shy and quiet Drewniok at the time was content around animals and just wanted to fit in with everyone else in the village.

But because of her physical attributes, she knew other opportunities could be in store.

“I was taller than everybody else. I had different hair, I had freckles, I had a different skin color,” Drewniok said. “There were all these things, you know? I didn’t like it at fi rst.”

Drewniok’s exceptional volleyball skills also changed her perspective. “I think, through volleyball, I explored more and more who I am. I had this safe space where I could express myself and be myself,” she said. “I eventually learned that everybody’s unique and everybody’s imperfect ly perfect.”

Shortly after her arrival in the United States, Drewniok was fascinated from watching a

Growing Into Her Game

Creighton Bluejays practice, with Kirsten Bernthal Booth’s emphasis on visualization while she coached there.

Now, Bernthal Booth is in her fi rst year as the president of business operations for LOVB Nebraska after an outstanding 22-year coaching career with the Bluejays. During her tenure, the Bluejays competed in 14 NCAA tournaments and put together a streak of 11 straight Big East Conference ch ampionships.

She recalled the practice Drewniok attended while accentuating the importance of visualization with her team at the time.

“We really believed in showing great plays, showing great moments, and handling tough situations,” Bernthal Booth said. “I remember when [Drewniok] came to our gym. She had talked afterwards about how much she was into mental training. Th at’s neat that she remembers us doing that.”

Drewniok, a left-handed opposite hitter with a ferocious swing, got her second season with LOVB Nebraska off to a strong start with 25 kills in a fi ve-set, season-opening loss at LOVB Austin. From then on, she made a lasting impression with Ber nthal Booth.

“She’s playing such a huge role,” Bernthal Booth said. “She’s defi nitely a ‘go-to’ in big moments.”

Having been a professional since the age of 16, and after nine years with the German national volleyball team, Drewniok said she decided to quit the national team and play LOVB in the USA. One of the reasons was her own visualization: What did she want to do after volleyball? As an international player, she was assigned by the league to play in Omaha, which in her mind, turned out to be a blessing. Drewniok embraces the League One’s encouragement toward community involvement.

“Volleyball in Nebraska is big on community and building bridges to the next generation,” she said. “It’s great to see how you can build connections. It’s not just being on the court and playing the game —it’s about inspiring the next generation to dream big and showing them what is possible.”

Drewniok said her peers were shocked upon learning that she decided to stop playing for the German national team. After all, the Summer Olympic games are only two years away in the prime of her career at the age of 28. “There are always going to be noises from other people, and it’s just on you to listen internally and think, ‘What do you want to do with your life?’” she said.

For the moment, the Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy in Gretna is near and dear to her heart. It’s a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with disabilities.

“I’m super excited to see what they’re doing, because it sparks my love for the horses and also connects me with the therapy for kids,” she said. “It’s really unique. It’s real ly special.”

Bernthal Booth has witnessed Drewniok step forward in the community.

“Kimberly is always somebody who raised her hand, especially when it comes to youth,” said Bernthal Booth. “She loves to be someone that’s interacting with kids.”

The once quiet and shy Drewniok has a clearer vision for herself today.

“There’s so many lessons through volleyball that you can take outside of volleyball, when you continue and retire at one point, that can help you in your life,” she said.

Visit lovb.com for more information.

hen one thinks of legendary families in the history of motor sports, Andretti, Earnhardt, Petty, Unser, and Deegan are names that come to mind. Deegan? Yes, now 51, Brian Deegan, a Bellevue native, is a motorsports legend and his family name belongs in the same breath as the others. But how did this Bellevue kid achieve this fame and event ual fortune?

Deegan was an active kid, always running around, but he wasn’t very big for traditional sports like basketball and football. One day, when Brian was around 10 years old, an older kid moved in the neighborhood and changed his life. “Steve Jarrett was the reason I got into dirt bikes,” Deegan said. “He was from Europe; he raced motocross. I fell in love with it and went over there and watched him work on his dirt bikes. He was about 16 and he would take me to the track with him to go watch and I jus t loved it.

“I begged my dad for a dirt bike—he said I had to earn it," he recalled.” So I went and got a paper route and did other odds-and-ends jobs, and made enough to buy a dirt bike and Steve would take me to the track. My dad eventually saw how much I loved the sport and got behind it. He would take me on the weekends to the races. We raced locally, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, which led to more national races.”

HOW BRIAN DEEGAN

BUILT A MOTORSPORTS EMPIRE

As the father and son traveled to races across the U.S., getting experience and improving the craft, Deegan said he saw it as “my ticket out of Bellevue to see the world.”

“I turned pro at 18 right after graduating from Bellevue East,” he said. “School was important to my dad—he was now superintendent of Bellevue Schools, and he wanted me to go to college.

“I had to make a decision: go to college or turn pro racing. I said, ‘Give me a year, I’m going to California to try to make it racing professionally.’ I had motivation to get to California and not turn back. I just had to make it.”

He loaded up his dirt bike in an old beat-up Ford pickup truck—no money, just a credit card. “I had a lot of ups and downs in my journey of racing supercross. I accomplished some good goals,” Deegan said. But he also experienced some major disappointments. Despite having better results than many other riders, the big-money bike manufacturers and sponsors passed on signing him. Th e fi rst sponsor to off er him a contract put Deegan a short leash, making him clean up his image. No more colored hair, no

more pulling up in an outdated, open-face helmet with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Deegan hated it and became more rebellious—the relationship didn’t last long. Th ere were many other riders like Deegan who didn’t fit into the increasingly controlled, corporate world of motocross racing.

Tired of being told how to behave and spurned by major sponsors, Deegan and fellow rider Larry Linkogle founded their own motocross crew and named it “Metal Mulisha.” Th ey began building the foundation on not much more than being a crew of rebels full of adrenaline, looking to take control of their own destiny. Th ey fi lmed their crazy antics, doing daring stunts never seen or done before. Th ey began to produce VHS tapes of the footage that often featured awful crashes and broken bones. Metal Mulisha became known for its high-fl ying jumps and daredevil tricks, like Jackass on motocross bikes. Th ey found an audience, began selling T-shirts featuring a hand-drawn skull, and eventually grew Metal Mulisha into a multi-million-dollar brand for sales of lifestyle apparel and energy drinks. Deegan’s rebellious personality became a core part of the brand’s

appeal, making it the most globally recognized name in action sports, and was instrumental in the birth of freestyle motocross.

In 1997, then 23, Deegan entered a supercross race at the historic LA Coliseum. Without a major sponsor backing him, Deegan was considered a privateer—like a walk-on athlete among fi ve-star scholarship players. But then, something magical happened. Th e brash, spurned underdog led the pack. As the checkered fl ag waved, Deegan came out on top, achieving his fi rst major win.

But in typical Deegan fashion, he had to be diff erent, had to do something never seen before at the fi nish line. In what became his most remembered moment in racing, Deegan threw his still-in-motion bike across the fi nish line as he jumped off the back, leaving it to sail on into the Los Angeles sky as he pumped both fi sts high in the air. Th is iconic celebration, now called “Ghost Riding,” launched his decorated career that has endured to this day. On a live interview after the race on ESPN2, he spoke of how he promised himself that he would do something that no one else had

I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION:

done yet. He then thanked his dad and brother for coming out to see him “kick everyone’s ass.” A star was born, despite the corporate attempt to keep him in line.

Deegan’s reputation for hard-charging, aggressive riding and tricks defi ned a new generation of riders. Nicknamed “Th e General,” his diverse career includes a record number of X Games medals and multiple championships in off -road truck and rally racing. His rebellious nature has solidifi ed his legacy as one of the most hardworking, respected, and decorated names in history of extr eme sports.

Th e fame and fortune came with a price to his body. Brian Deegan has broken over 20 bones during his career, including his back, ankles, wrists, shoulder, arm, hip, femur, and ribs. In 2004, at the Winter X Games, Deegan crashed while attempting a twisting backfl ip 360 over a 100-foot jump, breaking his femur and both wrists. He returned six months later to place fourth at the 2004 Sum mer X Games.

In 2005, Deegan faced a near-death experience while taping for MTV’s Viva La

Bam . While performing a backfl ip, his bike under-rotated and hit his midsection on the handlebars. He lost a kidney and a signifi cant amount of blood and lacerated h is spleen.

From that moment, Deegan found a new purpose, evolving from a two-wheeled freestyle motocross daredevil to a championship-winning four-wheel driver. He’s also evolved into fatherhood alongside his wife, Marissa. Together, they have three children: Hailie, who was a driver in the NASCAR Xfi nity Series and currently competes full-time in Indy NXT; Haiden, who was recently signed to Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing as an amateur/pro rider; and Hudson, who competes in youth motocross.

Another Bellevue native and 1985 Gross Catholic grad, Bob Walker, took his love of being an amateur motocross biker to the sports management business. For the past 20 years, Walker has represented the Deegan family in all of their business and endorsement deals. Walker said that “Brian Deegan is a pioneer of action sports, and he’s a licensing machine, incredible

businessman, and a husband and father to a family of rising stars in the rac ing world.”

Looking back on his career, Deegan said, “It’s been a crazy journey, but it just comes down to family, sticking together, hard work. It’s what you learn in the Midwest. I have roots there and I feel like I took advantage of everything I could and worked hard to end up where we are now.

“Bob Walker has been really good at helping with his company connections. It’s good to have the good old Cornhuskers group of guys that come from the Midwest. I have had multiple mechanics that I’ve used who are from Nebraska, and try to stay within that group. I think a lot of good people come from that area—there’s a good hardworking mentality in the Midwest.”

Visit briandeegan.com for more information.

Czech-ing into the Past

The Importance of Knowing Your Ancestry

hen I went to the Czech Republic, it felt like home,” he said. “Not déjà vu…just a sense of comfort. It makes you appreciate where you came from and appreciate where you are.”

Jason Cadek walks past the weathered headstones at Omaha’s historic Bohemian Cemetery. If someone tells him a name, Cadek points to the exact plot, describes the monument, and perhaps even tells a story about the person who now resides beneath the ground. The past remains alive in these moments, or at least for Cadek, who wants to dig into the histories of not only his family but others as well.

“I think it’s like a crossword puzzle that never ends. You put the pieces together, and once you connect the pieces, there’s just more paths to go down, particularly with Czech genealogy,” said Cadek, the board president of the Bohemian Cemetery.

The 49-year-old felt the pull of genealogy ever since he picked up a pencil to sketch the limbs of his family tree in middle school. Cadek’s Swiss/English grandmother on his mother’s side, Delta Forthman, fed his curiosity by showing him documents and photographs. Such small steps left historical footprints on his heart, a passion that continued when his Czech grandfather, Lumir, passed away on his father’s side. This became the moment when he really started investigating.

Cadek, an anti-money laundering quality control manager at the Bank of Montreal, found a side passion for old records, something similar in style to his job. He soon joined the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International and the Greater Omaha Genealogical Society.

Cadek’s research reflects reasons why many Czech immigrants settled in Nebraska. Beginning in the late 1800s, Bohemian and Moravian families left in search of land, freedom, or opportunity. Most historians cite Charles Culek as the earliest permanent settler in 1856, while 50,000 found a home in the state by the early 1900s, mostly from the Province of Bohemia, after receiving letters or advertisements beckoning them to the

prairies. Omaha’s Little Bohemia became known as a lively hub of Czech culture with the Sokol gymnastics hall, bakeries, and the Prague Hotel in the late 1800s.

The Czech and Slovak Educational Center and Cultural Museum preserves the history of the location, including the Bohemian Café, which closed its doors after 92 years in 2016, when the fourth-generation restaurant owners retired rather than continuing. The museum celebrates the rich traditions and heritage with exhibitions on local history, costume collections, and crystals (Bohemian glass). Cadek holds talks on genealogy there, teaching others about the importance of learning about their past.

“It’s our history. It’s part of our makeup. It’s a rich culture,” said museum director Colleen Kurmel. “Jason is a wealth of information, and he shares it so brilliantly.”

Nebraska continues to have the highest percentage of residents with Czech ancestry of any state, roughly 5.5% of the population, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, but that number has dropped in recent years.

“Nebraska looks like the rural areas of the Czech Republic,” Cadek said. “They came because there was homestead land, but I am assuming they stayed because it felt familiar.”

His ancestors followed that path. In 1882, his great-great-grandfather, Vaclav, worked, like many immigrants, in a Chicago meatpacking plant before achieving the American dream two years later by farming land in Cherry County, Nebraska. According to Cadek’s wealth-of-information great-aunt Agnes (or Anzek for her Czech name), her father spoke seven languages, possibly traveled across Europe, and worked as an apprentice in Prague before coming to America.

Cadek grew up in North Loup, a tiny town in Central Nebraska, close to his grandparents,

who served Czech pastries like kolache, dumplings (knedliky), and sauerkraut on Sundays.

“If you were not sitting down by noon, you didn’t get to eat,” Cadek said with a laugh. “If the polka music wasn’t playing, it was like you stepped into The Twilight Zone .”

When Cadek had the opportunity to learn abroad in Prague while studying journalism and Czech language courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he couldn’t resist the urge to jump on a plane to explore the city.

“My claim to fame is that one night, drunk in Prague, I ended up at Alphonse Mucha’s house,” he said.

Mucha, the famous Czech Art Nouveau painter, had a grandson who took the same study abroad program.

In 2021, Cadek returned to Prague with his husband and friends. Despite their excitement for Munich and Vienna, Prague stole their hearts. Cadek believes people need to return to their homelands. He hopes to one day travel to the exact village of his ancestors, to see what they saw, and to feel the place that shaped his family.

Cadek continues to uncover family secrets. In the meantime, he keeps discovering more about the “residents” in Bohemian Cemetery, a 37-acre burial ground, founded by Czech immigrants in 1883. He oversees preservation efforts, historical research, and community events, including Wreaths Across America, which honors the cemetery’s veterans. His daughter Alice, 14, sometimes joins him to clean gravestones.

Not only that, but all those walks reading the markers helped him to document more than 1,000 Czech immigrants, along with people from 12 other countries.

“Buildings come and go, and even churches come and go. Cemeteries have a permanence,” he said. “[They] connect generations, as long as you can share the stories of the people buried there.”

Visit czechandslovakmuseum.org and bohemiancemetery.com to learn more.

A TASTE OF THE ISLANDS

DINING FEATURE

no Pinay Kitchen’s baked goods rarely lasted long at the Papillion farmers market. Regulars already knew what to expect: get there early or miss out. It became routine to sell out before the mark et was over.

“A friend of mine signed us up to become vendors in 2016, and two months ahead of time, I was still thinking, ‘What am I gonna sell?’” owner and chef Maria Villegas said. “As the weeks went by, we perfected it. Pretty much everything we’d bring to the market, we’d s ell out of.”

Ensaymada (a brioche-style pastry), pan de sal (classic bread roll), pan de coco (roll fi lled with sweetened coconut), and pan de ube (roll fi lled with sweet purple yam jam) built an early following among farmers market customers. Butter mochi, a coconut-custard cake-like dessert popular in Hawaii, quickly became another top seller. Th en came lumpia (spring rolls) and Spam musubi (grilled glazed Spam on a block of rice, wrapped with a strip of nori.) “Th e savory food became the highest-selling items as soon as we introduced them,” she said.

Sales expanded to the Bellevue farmers market soon after and were quickly met with the same results. The momentum had outgrown both booths by 2019. OPK opened its doors in Olde Towne Bellevue with a built-in customer base alre ady waiting.

Villegas remembers long days that started in the kitchen and ended at evening markets, repeating week after week. “I loved it, but we got too busy,” she said. “Something had to give, right?” The markets eventually fell away, but not before establishing a loyal following. Those personal connections are something she values as much as the food itself.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii, Villegas grew up surrounded by food that didn’t fit neatly into one category. “In Hawaii, it’s such a melting pot,” she said. “Th ere were many Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Native Hawaiians, and other influences in the food. Our cooking became what we called ‘local Hawaiian.’”

It takes a lot as a restaurant to earn customers’ loyalty.

To me, having a relationship with customers is a very big deal.

–Maria Villegas

Th at distinction matters inside OPK. Th e menu refl ects both Filipino roots and the blended style of Hawaiian cooking, but instead of merging everything into a single category, Villegas lets the two cuisines move alongside each other. Some days at the restaurant lean more Filipino, others more Hawaiian. Regulars know the rhythm, and new customers pick it up quickly.

“On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we off er predominantly Filipino food, which we call Filipino days,” she explained. “Hawaiian kalua pork is still served daily even on those days. We reverse that on Wednesdays and Fridays, which are Hawaiian days. We serve predominantly local Hawaiian food, with the exception of the Filipino chicken adobo.”

A core group of dishes are constant staples on the menu, so regulars can count on their popular favorites being there any day of the week—chicken adobo, kalua pork, pancit, lumpia, musubi—but much of what’s off ered depends on the day. Extra ingredients often turn into a one-off special. “It’s called a revolving menu because it’s always changing,” she said. “I’ll add things the day of, so nothing is wasted and everything s tays fresh.”

ONO PINAY KITCHEN SERVES FILIPINO AND HAWAIIAN FLAVORS

Story by Natalie Veloso

Photography by Bill Sitzmann

Design by Joey Winton

A similar fl exibility carries into the restaurant’s weekly structure. Tuesday’s “turo-turo” buff et, named after the Tagalog phrase for “point-point,” invites guests to build their plates from a rotating spread of dishes. Friday dinners follow a diff erent approach, with a plated menu that changes weekly, and isn’t repeated for months. “Our Friday menu is also diff erent every week, so people can explore fl avors of both Hawaiian and Filipino foods,” Vi llegas said.

Even with that constant movement, certain dishes hold their ground with regulars. Adobo remains a staple, familiar to many and personal to Villegas. “Everybody loves adobo, so we love to off er it, but mine is diff erent,” she said. Th e same goes for lumpia, which she remembers making in massive batches growing up. “We used to roll thousands and thousands of lumpia, even if the party was only going to be 100 people.”

Cooking at OPK follows that communal spirit, leaving room for adjustments. “I don’t ever follow recipes,” Villegas said. “I always tweak it and make the dishes my own.” Her recipes also refl ect the needs of her customers. Ingredients like MSG and certain traditional additives have been removed, making the food lighter without losing its identity.

Th e restaurant itself operates with a similar practicality. It’s not full-service in the traditional sense. Customers step up, choose what they want, and are served in the moment. Food is prepared in small batches throughout the day, keeping it fresh without long wait times. “Even when we only have a few customers, we’re prepared,” she said. “Th at way, when you come, it’s still fresh, but you don’t ha ve to wait.”

Its location near Bellevue’s Off utt Air Force Base brings in a steady stream of military customers, many of whom return often. “We were military also, so we know what that’s like,” Villegas said. Th e rotating menu makes it easy to keep coming back without repeating the same meal.

Th e restaurant’s reach is certainly not limited to its Bellevue clientele, Villegas said. She’s encountered many customers who plan their visits around stopping by the restaurant whenever work or travel brings them nearby. Some return after being stationed elsewhere. “We’ve had people stationed in North Carolina before, but when they’re here for TDY [Temporary Duty Station], the fi rst thing they do is come to our restaurant ,” she said.

The restaurant’s presence naturally carries further into the community. OPK shows up regularly at local events. At the Visiting Nurses Association’s Art & Soup annual fundraiser, Villegas prepares enough to serve around 1,000 people each year. “We actually win for decoration every year,” she said, describing themed booth setups that have ranged from a Filipino sari-sari store to a full Hawaiian display complete with surfboards.

Anime NebrasKon brings a diff erent crowd, as attendees tend to travel from across the region. OPK has become a fi xture there as the sole food vendor known to sell out each year. Spam musubi leads the demand among that crowd, followed closely by manapua and desserts.

Th e restaurant has also partnered with student organizations, catered weddings, and brought food and dancers to senior living communities hosting lū’au-themed gatherings. A recent collaboration with a Filipino fi lmmaker paired an OPK dinner with an exclusive showing of a fi lm about imm igrant life.

One of the most ambitious eff orts each year is the restaurant’s annual lū’au in April. Held at Bellevue University, it brings together dancers, musicians, and a large crowd to celebrate Hawaiian culture. Th e

planning is extensive, and the execution even more so. Proceeds go back into making the event happen. “We don’t make money on it,” Villegas said. “It’s a community event that takes a lot of work, and we love it. It makes people very happy.”

For now, growth for OPK is primarily about maintaining food quality and continuing to bring Filipino and Hawaiian culture to the area. “I’m the only one in Nebraska that’s specifi cally considered a Filipino-Hawaiian restaurant,” she said. “Eventually, I’d love to have a bigger place where we can off er more seating. But our future is here in this area, and we’re happy to call this home.”

Seven years in, the restaurant’s longevity is an accomplishment. Filipino restaurants don’t always fi nd long-term footing in Nebraska, Villegas noted, which makes the continued support feel even more meaningful.

“It takes a lot as a restaurant to earn customers’ loyalty,” she said. “To me, having a relationship with customers is a very big deal. Th at’s what I’m most proud of when it comes to the restaurant—the support we’ve received and what we’ve accomplished so far.”

Visit onopinaykitchen.wixsite.com/main for more information.

GSTORY BY Maria Corpuz

BY Sarah Lemke

Garrett Kasper Builds a Scratch Kitchen at Arbor Day Farm

arrett Kasper was driving back to Kansas to see his parents when his phone rang. He wasn't looking for a job—he was looking for a break, maybe a few weeks of quiet after years of high-output kitchens in places like Steamboat Springs. But he took the call.

A property called Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City was looking for an executive chef, and even though he'd never heard of it, something in the research stopped him. An orchard. A greenhouse. A working garden on the grounds. Not a restaurant built around a concept, but a place built around something that grew. He came for a visit, did a cook test, and d idn't leave.

Kasper grew up in Kansas, a Midwestern boy who loved to play baseball. After undergoing shoulder surgeries during college, he realized that school wasn't as exciting without his athletic career. He applied for a position at a country club and quickly realized that the things he loved about baseball could also be found in the kitchen. From athlete to cook, the job felt like the perfect substitute for this transitional time in his career.

"I enjoyed the similarities to sports—the intensity, the unknowns, the rush, the teamwork aspect. It had a lot of crossover that made it natural for me," Kasper said. From there, he went to work in kitchens that continued to foster his skill set. From a Forbes five-star resort to a French bed and breakfast, and many stops in between, Kasper remained dedicated to his practice of cooking.

After many years of the kitchen grind, he was ready to take a step back from the hustle and bustle to spend time with those he loved. Newly engaged and worn down by the thankless industry, he planned to spend time with his parents. He wasn't looking for a new kitchen when Arbor Day Farm called—yet, they not only offered things that excited him professionally, but also the chance to be in proximity to the people who loved him.

"I wanted to work on being a better son and friend as much as I was a chef," Kasper said.

"I'm here to try to change people's perception of what being in the kitchen nowadays can look like. It's not just for the money—it's because I love it, and I love doing food that is not run-of-the-mill."

—Garrett Kasper

Upon arrival at Timbers, the property's fl agship restaurant at Lied Lodge, Kasper began taking inventory of the processes his predecessors had followed. It wasn't long before he realized that one of the biggest impacts he could have there was to transform the program into a scratch kitchen and create menus that prioritized food grown right on the property. Then, about 10% of the menu featured ingredients grown on their land.

Now, almost two years later, he has increased that number to 90-95% of the menu being made from scratch. The initiative extends to the glass, as well—a sommelier guides pairings for each dish, and guests can fi nish the experience with cider pressed right on the property.

It is clear from the over 100 varieties of seeds he's chosen to grow that the ingredients within the food are unique. From tomatoes that ripen in late summer to the butternut squash that's ready in the autumn, Kasper builds his menu around the seasons. Everything grown on the property is meant to introduce new fl avors to their clientele. Th is year, he hopes to work with local farmers who can provide ingredients they aren't currently growing. For Kasper, quality and conscience travel together: where an ingredient comes from and how it was raised matter as much as what he does with it in the kitchen.

Kasper has held on to his dream of fi nding a sustainable work-life balance over the two years he has been at Arbor Day Farm. He isn't just focused on himself, but on his employees. One of his mentors had previously taught him that you can have a spectacular restaurant while also treating your cooks with respect, something the industry has had to come to terms with over the last few years. Sustainability isn't something that just shows up on his menu, but is a quality he hopes is apparent to all who work for him.

"I'm here to try to change people's perception of what being in the kitchen nowadays can look like. It's not just for the money—it's because I love it, and I love doing food that is not run-of-the-mill," Kasper said.

Th at philosophy extends beyond Timbers. Kasper oversees the full dining program at Arbor Day Farm, including Porter's, the property's casual barbecue option that offers a more relaxed counterpart to Timbers' scratch-kitchen ambition. He is proud to uphold the same standards at the property’s weddings and corporate events. While the volume of their banquet offerings is quite high, he believes it isn’t a reason to compromise on the quality of the food.

Ask Kasper where Timbers is headed, and he'll tell you, honestly, that he's still working that out. There are internal conversations happening, a spring menu just rolled out, and a spicy food festival is in the works. What he knows is that year two is better than year one, and year one was already a different place than what he walked into. The garden is more established, the kitchen is more his, and the people in it are staying for t he culture.

For a chef who once put his career above everything else, that last part might matter most. The best version of this place, it seems, is still taking shape—and he's in no hurry to call it fi nished.

Visit arbordayfarm.org to learn more.

REVIEW BY MIKE’L SEVERE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

Local Ingredients That Create Unique Dishes

L at Block 16 Farming Flavor

ong before chefs Jessica and Paul Urban opened Block 16, they believed in the farmto-table concept. According to Paul, sourcing directly from the farmer means everything to the restaurant at 16th and Farnam. Knowing where food comes from and how it was raised is an essential part of what the couple believes in as re staurateurs.

The bell curve of farm-to-table spots started toward its apex in the early 2010s. It coincided with the rise of small, independent farms that were able to cater to the needs of chef-driven restaurants. However, in many places, the number of restaurants living this concept started to overwhelm the supply from the farms. The answer? Around that time, more greenhouses started to pop up in the Midwest, making it a little easier to get product year-round.

Even with that, balancing your inventory with the menu can be challenging, especially in a smaller brick-and-mortar store. Block 16 doesn’t have enough room for a walk-in cooler. One thing you can do to counter that, Paul said, is be hyperlocal and adjust the weekly—or even daily—menu to go with what is in stock and available.

Block 16 does daily specials that work toward being hyperlocal, and its neighbor, Kitchen Table, does the same, adjusting its menu weekly to serve the best of what is fresh and available. Since opening, Block 16 has offered more than 1,400 different daily specials with very few repeats.

Eventually, Paul said, the supply started to match up better with the need, but by the end of the decade, a different force changed the direction of the bell curve.

After COVID, Paul said several restaurants stopped doing as much farm-to-table, because they couldn’t support the cost. Th at is the other part of using direct sourcing for the best product: it can be expensive. For example, the local chicken thighs that Block 16 buys from Plum Creek Farms in Burchard, Nebraska cost about $4 a pound. Most days, you could probably fi nd chicken thighs at the grocery store for about $1.99 a pound.

COVID-19 restrictions changed the method of doing business for most places, and in order to cut costs, many cut back on their farm-totable purchases. But it’s not all higher costs

when buying locally. For example, because of our location, local beef might not be as affected by national politics or events as a bigbox brand might be. And in some cases, the local farmers’ costs don’t fluctuate as much as the rest of the nation.

Currently, Block 16 gets farm deliveries four to five days a week, buying from places like Plum Creek Farms; Oakview Farms in Lawler, Iowa; Jon’s Naturals beef in McClelland, Iowa; and Evetta Farms, named after the Urban daughters, Evely n and Greta.

In 2020, the Urbans chose to continue their dream of gardening and living sustainably by moving to a farmstead in the Loess Hills. The property has abundant apple, cherry, peach, plum, and pear trees, as well as highbush cranberry, aronia, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and gooseberry bushes.

Paul and Jessica didn’t stop there. In 2022, they built their own geothermal greenhouse which has a lemon tree, two orange varieties, banana, figs, and olives all permanently placed in the ground. Their raised beds are fi lled with vegetables and edibles designed to extend the su mmer garden.

The Urbans also raise bees for pollination and honey, egg-laying hens, farm-raised pork, alpacas for fleece, and goats for weed control and companions.

Paul says all of this is done to produce quality products that enhance the taste of the food with the goal of letting the product shine in

the dishes. For example, some of the unique fl avor of the Block 16 honey comes from elderflowers (the fragrant, tiny, creamy-white blossoms from the Sambucus shrub) that Jess plants around the farm.

On our most recent visit, we started with the now Midwest-famous croque garcon burger that features Jon’s Naturals beef. The burger is prepared medium, but you can request medium-rare. The burger also features a sunny-side-up Evetta Farms egg, green onion, mustard, and truffle mayo on a ciabatta roll from Rotella’s. It really is the complete package.

I had the dragon wrap with Atlantic salmon sourced from the Faroe Islands. (Faroe Island salmon is a premium, sushi-grade Atlantic salmon sustainably raised in the cold, pristine, and fast-moving currents between Iceland and Norway.) Block 16’s seafood is provided by one of the biggest additions to the culinary scene over the last nearly 25 years: Absolutely Fre sh Seafood.

West Point, Nebraska native Greg Lindberg and his family have been around fresh seafood for more than 50 years. In 2003, he went from selling Gulf of Mexico shrimp out of the back of his truck to opening a brick-andmortar market and flying in fresh seafood daily, allowing restaurants like Block 16 to serve quality seafood dishes year-round.

I asked Paul what it will take for farm-to-table to continue to thrive in Omaha. He said the more people who support the mission of buying local, humanely raised, and preservative-free ingredients, the better. And as anyone who has visited Block 16 for lunch or dinner knows, “for the better” is always the goal. Visit block16omaha.com for more information

Dragonwrapwith fries

TastyBites

STORY Naomi Heu

PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke

DESIGN Nickie Robinson

Adventure is Fresh Best Served

Outdoor Excursions that Provide Grub and Gathering

In the age of social media and technology, many people yearn for in-person community. The loss of third spaces has dramatically changed the social landscape of society. However, these six local groups have created and maintained a unique kind of third space—one that combines food, exercise, and community.

Every week, these groups host a run or bike ride that ends in drinks, food, entertainment, and socializing. Meet at a specified starting point and take off down a gorgeous trail. Start times hit perfectly in the warmer months for a beautiful golden hour to run or bike through. Take it easy and chat with friends as you make your way down,

or save the conversation for after and focus on your workout. At the end of the trail, you’ll fi nd yourself at a restaurant or brewery serving up delicious foods and beers that can be enjoyed over joy ful chatter.

It is no mistake that these events create a space for people to be communal again. Regulars who come every week become friends, and those who come only once might still meet someone new. There is no cost to sign up, just show up and partake in some exercise and a good time. Whether they’ve been around for five years or 15, they are proof that having these third spaces is key to community. So, for those looking to meet new people and add something adventurous into their weekly schedule, consider attending one of these six events—or a ll of them!

Original Taco Ride

For the authentic taco bike ride experience, join the community of the Original Taco Ride. Every Thursday evening from spring through Halloween, join bikers as they travel along the Wabash Trace Nature Trail and through the scenic countryside of the Loess Hills. Around the halfway point of the trail, riders will stop at a picnic area, nicknamed Margaritaville, for refreshments and a short break. The 20-mile round trip ends at Tobey Jack’s Mineola Steak House for delicious tacos and more. Popular dishes include the prime rib, ribeye, and pork tenderloin. The menu also includes entrees like pasta, seafood, burgers, handhelds, and pizza. After eating, riders can trek back up the trail or catch a ride with friends who drove to the restaurant. Either way, you’ll be enjoying a meal and ride shared with friends and community.

Star ting point:

Iowa West Foundation Tr ailhead Park

Visit un leashcb.com for more i nformation.

Ranch Taco Ride

Also on Thursday evenings, the Ranch Taco Ride begins at Pint Nine Brewing Co. and Kros Strain Brewing in La Vista. Enjoy a beer or two from the variety on tap, or hop straight into the ride. The cloud jumper pale ale at Pine Nine is a popular choice, while the fairy nectar is the favorite at Kros Strain. Then, head to Bellevue Berry Farm on a 6-mile trail. Many food options await at the farm with four different concession stands. One stand offers the taco special (three tacos and a drink with meat options of pork, chicken, or burger meat), nachos, rice bowls, French fries, and chicken strips. Another stand has hamburgers and hot dogs. A third stand serves up street tacos (available in the taco special) with options for pastor, carnitas, and gyros. The last stand is a bar with refreshing cocktails and lemonades. Enjoy live music from a different band every week as you eat, drink, and socialize. Afterward, riders can head back up the 6 miles, or catch a ride with friends who drove to the farm. The Ranch Taco Ride runs until Sept. 24. From beginning to end, this taco ride keeps the fun at an all-time high.

Star ting point:

Pint Nine Brewing Co. and Kros St rain Brewing

Visit bellevuebe rryfarm.com for more information.

Elmwood Pie Ride

Another Thursday evening option, this bike ride takes riders along the MoPac East Trail. With varying options for a starting point, riders can choose how long of a ride they would like to take. You can start in Lincoln (18 miles), Walton (15 miles), Eagle (8 miles), or Wabash (4 miles), as the trail passes through all four cities. Riders end up in Elmwood, Nebraska, for an evening full of live music and delicious food. Those who would rather drive can easily park and enjoy the fun as well. Each week features a different musical guest for an exciting new performance. A different pie is offered every week, baked and served by a different local organization. Besides dessert pie, enjoy pizza and other food options. Th is ride happens in the months of June, July, and August for seven amazing Thursdays. With food, community, and music, this is sure to be an exciting summer event.

Star ting point:

multiple options along the MoPa c East Trail

Visit bikecasscounty.com/elmwoodpieride for more i nformation.

Aksarben Run Club

On Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, runners of all levels gather in Aksarben for a 5K round-trip run. Wednesday runners meet at Sonny’s, the outdoor bar in Aksarben, and Saturday runners meet right outside of Inner Rail Food Hall. The route takes runners through Elmwood Park and back to Aksarben. Once back from the run, enjoy a discounted beer or cocktail from Sonny’s, whose menu changes each year. Th is year’s lineup includes the Strawberry Sangria, Hibiscus Tequila Fizz, and Sonny’s Mexican Style Lager, to name a few. If you are feeling peckish, hop over to Inner Rail and grab some food from one of the eight food vendors in the food hall like All American Burger, Kathmandu Momo Station, and Tiny’s Pizza Joint. All ages are welcome, although this run club is popular among the young adult crowd. From spring until December, get your steps in and join in on the fun and excitement.

Start ing points:

Sonny’s ( Wednesdays); Inner Rail Food Hall (Saturdays) Follow @aksarbenrunclub on Instagram for more i nformation.

Eagle Nacho Ride

If nachos are more your rhythm, the Eagle Nacho Ride occurs on Tuesday evenings from May until September. Also along the MoPac East Trail, riders can start at multiple places along the trail: Lincoln (10 miles), Walton (7 miles), Elmwood (8 miles), or Wabash (11 miles). Th is makes it easy to tailor the ride to your pace and preference. There is no specific start time, and riders can arrive and bike as they please. The route ends at Bailey’s Local in Eagle, Nebraska, for nachos, beverages, and fun. On Tuesdays, Bailey’s Local offers a limited menu that includes street tacos, a full or half order of nachos, the Bailey burger, cheddar curds, fried pickles, Bailey’s brussels, fries, and tots. Hang out and chat over a delectable meal before hopping back onto the trail to head home. Wherever your journey begins on this route, it is sure to be full of fun and fl avor.

Star ting point:

multiple options along the MoPa c East Trail

Visit bikecasscounty.com/eag lenachoride for more information.

Scriptown Running Club

Another popular run club occurs on Thursday evenings, starting and ending at Scriptown Brewing Co., a rustic taproom located in the heart of Blackstone. The trail takes runners through the streets of Blackstone and along the Field Club Trail, offering the perfect mix of urban sights and neighborhood charm. Runners of all ages and experience levels are welcome, and this run club is perfect for families. Once back at Scriptown, runners can enjoy a discount on their fi rst beer. Some beers on tap include the Yotus IPA and Honey Lager. If you’re looking for some food, Lazy Buff alo BBQ serves up wood-smoked barbecue in a casual, counter-serve setting located next door to the brewery. For over 10 years, this run club has been running every week, rain or shine, welcoming all and fostering a true sense of camaraderie and excitement.

Star ting point: Scriptown Bre wing Co.

Follow Scriptown Running Club on Facebook for more information.

These six groups offer an exciting and unique experience where you can meet new people, spend time with friends, and gain a new community. With so many different food and drink options, there is something for everyone to enjoy after a great workout. Spend some time outside and partake in some good old fashioned human interaction in these lively third spaces. Each one has grown a strong community that welcomes all with open arms. So, grab your bike or running shoes, and get ready to sweat, eat, drink, a nd mingle.

- Sponsored Content -

DINING GUIDE Omaha

LE PEEP - $

69th & Pacific - 402.933.2776

177th and Center St. - 402.934.9914

156th St. & W. Dodge Rd. - 402.408.1728 120th and Blondo St. - 402.991.8222

Le Peep puts a wholesome perspective on your favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Fresh. Simple. Elegant. Inviting. We put the emphasis on people, both patrons and staff. We focus on providing each of our guests the fresh food and friendly service that they have come to expect. Open daily 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. —lepeepomaha.com

LISA’S RADIAL CAFE - $

817 N. 40th St. - 402-551-2176

American. Cafe. Diner. Vegetarian-friendly. Gluten-free options. This old-school diner serves hearty portions of American comfort classics for breakfast and lunch. Family-owned and operated. This business is a must if you’re in the area. People rave about our chicken-fried steak, stuffed French toast, coffee, and friendly staff. Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

PACIFIC EATIN G HOUSE - $$

1130 Sterling Ridge Dr. - 531.999.3777

We have developed our menu inspired by all that touches the Pacific Ocean. Starting with fresh fish flown from Honolulu, locally sourced steaks and natural chicken with an Asian flare and pairing our dishes with tiki libations and Pacific coast wines. —pacificeatinghouse.com

PINE & BLACK BISTRO - $$

248 Olson Dr., Papillion - 531.999.3777

We opened in March of 2023 to bring a family owned bistro to the community, serving local steaks and fresh seafood. We offer a wide variety of Pacific Northwest wines, local beers, and craft cocktails. Pinot Noir translates to Pine & Black, our name originates from our love of wine. —pineandblackbistro.com

SMITTY'S GARAGE - $

7610 Dodge St. - 402-614-4949

Tasty burgers, ice-cold beer, fresh-cut fries, scrumptious tacos, mouthwatering appetizers and more. What else could you want? Besides the delicious food, each location also offers a full bar with an extensive craft beer list and a one-of-a-kind environment with arcade games and plenty of TV’s. Download our new rewards app, Smitty’s Garage, in the app store to start earnin g free grub! eatatt hegarage.com

rotellasbakery.com

Our goal is to bring the best food service to the area and show the best sports events that you want to see. Pick up and Delivery availalble. Please check website for hours of operation. —varsityromancoinpizza.com

- $$ 45th and Leavenworth St. - 402.556.6464

La Casa Pizzaria has been serving Omaha its legendary Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta for 60 years. We offer dine-in, carry-out, party facilities, catering, and now pizza shipments to the 48 contiguous states. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. —lacasapizzaria.ne

PASTA AMORE - $$ 11027 Prairie Brook Rd. - 402.391.2585

Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Monday-Thursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended. pa staamore.com

PITCH - $$

5021 Underwood Ave. - 402.590.2625

West: 17808 Burke Street. - 402.289.4096

An OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice for 2014 HotSpot Restaurant in America. Keeping up with the traditional way the first pizzas in Italy were made, our pizzas are cooked in a coal-fired oven. The menu also features seafood, hand-cut steak, housemade pastas, and burgers full of flavor. Our goal is to provide you with local, housemade, and imported ingredients. We offer a happy hour menu through the -. Our bar provides an array of in-house concoctions as well as your traditional libations. Our wine selection is wellthought-out and most impressive. You will enjoy Pitch. Monday & Tuesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. pitch pizzeria.com

SPEZIA - $$$

3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950

Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended. —speziarestaurant.com

MEXICAN

FERNANDO’S

- $

7555 Pacific St. - 402.339.8006. 380 N. 114th St. - 402.330.5707

Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. —fernandosomaha.com

LA MESA - $$

158th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.557.6130 156th and Q streets - 402.763.2555

110th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.496.1101

Fort Crook Rd. and Hwy 370 - 402.733.8754 84th St. and Tara Plaza - 402.593.0983

Lake Manawa Exit - 712.256.2762

Enjoy awesome appetizers, excellent enchilada’s, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouthwatering margaritas and much more at La Mesa! Come see why La Mesa has been voted Best of Omaha’s 20 Years in a Row! FridaySaturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. —lamesaomaha.com

HECTOR’S RESTAURANT - $$ 1201 S. 157th St. - 402.884.2272

Hector’s Restaurant has been serving fresh, authentic Baja-style Mexican cuisine in Omaha since 1997. Known for flavorful dishes made daily—from salsa and guacamole to beans and rice—Hector’s also offers a wide selection of margaritas, domestic, and imported beers. Guests can enjoy a familyfriendly atmosphere, perfect for casual dinners, celebrations, or events. As the only Baja-style Mexican restaurant in the region, Hector’s stands out for its fresh ingredients, lively vibe, and dedication to superior service. —hectorsomaha.com

MARGARITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - $ 4915 S. 72nd St. - 402.393.7515

Margarita’s is a business with more than seven years in the food world. We offer authentic Mexican food where you can enjoy a nice moment with your family. margaritasmenu.com

SPECIAL DINING

CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $ 3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708

Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beer-lover’s destination. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight. Cl osed Sunday. —beercornerusa.com

GREEK ISLANDS - $ 3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528

Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are wellknown for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. —greekislandsomaha.com

SAGE STUDENT BISTRO INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS - $ 5730 N. 30th St.

Fort Omaha Campus, Building 22

At the Metropolitan Community College Sage Student Bistro, culinary and hospitality students learn hustle, fundamentals, community service and stewardship — all from scratch. Explore dishes from around the world during lunch, or celebrate the contributions of American culinary sages at dinner. For reservations, visit: —mccneb.edu/Bistro

STEAKHOUSES

CASCIO’S - $$ 1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.com

DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$

2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done.

LUNCH: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,

DINNER: Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.,

Saturday 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.,

LOUNGE: Monday-Friday

Cocktails only 2 p.m.-5 p.m. —droverrestaurant.com

TWISTED CORK BISTRO - $$

10370 Pacific St. - 531.999.3777

We arrived in Nebraska from Washington intent on purchasing from farmers, ranchers & fishmongers who share our commitment for wholesome, sustainable fare. Our recipes use the Earth’s bounty the way it is intended ~ Wild and Natural ~ We compliment our dishes, pairing them with exquisite Pacific Northwest wines. –twistedcorkbistro.com

MAHOGANY PRIME

STEAKHOUSE - $$$$

225 N. 145th St. - 402.445.4380

In a town known for its great steaks, Mahogany stands above the rest. Conveniently located in the new Heartwood Preserve Center at 145th and Dodge, our Omaha location provides an intimate and classic fine dining atmosphere. Voted Best in Omaha.

DINNER: Monday - Saturday | 5pm - 10pm & Sunday | 5pm - 9pm. –mahoganyprimesteakhouse.com

Cabo. Ovitate mpedis magnat.

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

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CALENDARS

COMPILED BY NAOMI HEU

EVENTS | GIVING | EXPLORE

CLOSE TO THE CLOUDS: ENCOUNTERING DIGITAL DIASPORAS

Through May 3 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. This collaborative installation explores the connection between technology and cultural heritage.

402.341.7130

bemiscenter.org

EZRA MASCH: VOLUMES

Through May 3 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. This audio-visual performance allows musicians to explore their instruments in an exploration about sound, light, and architecture.

402.341.7130 bemiscenter.org

NOSTALGIA: MOMENTS IN TIME

Through May 13 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1104 Farnam St. Nostalgia: Moments in Time by Nadine Saylor and Holly Tharnish combines mulitiple disciplines to reflect on memories and how they shape our lives.

402.595.2122

artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/fred-simon-gallery

EDWIN CARTER WEITZ: THE LINE

Through May 26 at Modern Arts Midtown , 3615 Dodge St. View the “Neverending Painting” series by Edwin Carter Weitz where a singular line moves from one painting to the next to symbolize connectedness. Art from other artists are featured as well. 402.502.8737 modernartsmidtown.com

2026

UNDER THE SKIN

Through June 7 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. From a collection of artists, explore stories of the body through nude imagery that looks into skin, muscle, and bone.

402.341.3800 thekaneko.org

JUSTICE AND HOPE

Through June 28 at Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, 2289 S. 67th St. From artists like Samuel Bak, Dinh Q. Lê, Mladen Miljanović, Serge Nitegeka, and Maja Ruznic, explore themes of conflict, violence, and reconciliation.

402.554.6100 unomaha.edu/samuel-bak-museum-the-learning-center

JESSIE HENSON

Through July 5 at The Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. Look through a collection of colorful sewn paper works created by Jessie Henson using an industrial sewing machine that analyzes postwar American abstraction.

402.342.3300

joslyn.org

COLLECTING MEMORIES

Through July 11 at The Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 N. 24th St. Ilaamen Pelshaw displays memories, stories, and folklore from her homeland Guatemala and other Latin American countries in the exhibition.

402.933.3161

u-ca.org

THROUGH THE LENS: AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM THE CARTER COLLECTION

Through Aug. 16 at The Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. Go through a journey of American photography from 1940 through today, looking at photos that have documented iconic American places, communities, and historical events.

402.342.3300

joslyn.org

BENSON FIRST FRIDAY

May 1 throughout Benson Creative District, 2729 N. 62nd St. View art galleries in the Benson Creative District for this monthly celebration of art, culture, and community, perfect for the whole family. Additionally, enjoy live performances, markets, and more. bffomaha.org

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

May 1-29 at Ming Toy Gallery, 6066 Maple St. Brandon Rial’s debut solo exhibition, Gifts of the Spirit, explores emotion and reflection through abstraction, color, and pattern.

402.681.1901

mingtoygallery.com

CASEY CALLAHAN AND CHARLES KAY JR.

May 22-July 15 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1104 Farnam St. Casey Callahan and Charles Kay Jr. collaborate on this exhibition as it explores the topics of change and leaving.

402.595.2122

artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/fred-simon-gallery

CONCERTS

ALTER BRIDGE: WHAT LIES WITHIN TOUR

May 2 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Rock band Alter Bridge from Florida comes to Omaha on their What Lies Within Tour with special guests Tim Montana and Filter.

402.345.0606

steelhouseomaha.com

ASHLEY KUTCHER: ROOTS TOUR

May 2 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Ashley Kutcher is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a heartfelt country pop sound. She comes to Omaha on her Roots Tour.

402.345.7569

theslowdown.com

BLACK VEIL BRIDES: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026

May 2 at The Astro, 8302 City Centre Drive. American rock band Black Veil Brides visits The Astro on their North American Tour 2026. Special guests are From Ashes to New, TX2, and As December Falls. 531.283.5212 theastrotheater.com

MAC DEMARCO

May 5 at The Astro, 8302 City Centre Drive. Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Mac DeMarco is known for his unique indie sound.

531.283.5212 theastrotheater.com

LA DISPUTE

May 6 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. A post-hardcore band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, La Dispute visits Slowdown on their 2026 tour. They are joined by special guests From Indian Lakes and Flooding.

402.345.7569 theslowdown.com

NATE SMITH: LONG LIVE COUNTRY ROCK AND ROLL TOUR

May 7 at The Astro, 8302 City Centre Drive. Nate Smith mixes backwoods soul and rock ’n’ roll for a unique sound. He is joined by special guests Josh Ross and Brandon Wisham on his Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour.

531.283.5212 theastrotheater.com

SAM BARBER: THE AMERICAN ROUTE TOUR

May 7 at The Astro, 8302 City Centre Drive. On The American Route Tour, Sam Barber blends country and rock in his music. Special guests are Michael Marcagi and Bebe Stockwell.

531.283.5212 theastrotheater.com

ANDY WILLIAM & THE NEBRASKA ALL STARS

May 8 at Holland Music Club, 1200 Douglas St. Andy William and the Nebraska All Stars mix together musicians with origins from all over Latin America to combine their styles of music in a 12-piece orchestra.

402.345.0606 o-pa.org

BRENN!: THE WARM UP TOUR

May 8 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Inspired by artists like The Lumineers, Brenn! combines folk and pop to sing about themes of coming-of-age and love. Special guest Hudson Ingram joins him on The Warm Up Tour.

402.345.7569 theslowdown.com

KYLIE MORGAN: HEALED COWGIRL WORLD TOUR

May 9 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St. Country singer-songwriter Kylie Morgan, from Oklahoma and Nashville, comes to Barnato on her Healed Cowgirl World Tour with special guest Kaleb Sanders. 402.964.2021 barnato.bar

THE MOSS

May 11 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Alternative and indie band The Moss is based in Salt Lake City and is known for a surf-rock sound. Their spring tour brings them to Omaha with special guest Gatlin.

402.345.7569 theslowdown.com

FALLETTA & PERRY GILMORE

May 17 at The Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. Maestro JoAnn Falletta and Concertmaster Susanna Perry Gilmore join forces for a beautiful performance of new and old songs to complete the Symphony Joslyn series.

402.345.0606 omahasymphony.org

ELECTRIC SIX

May 20 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. A group of six lively and eclectic performers, the Electric Six are sure to put on a wild and theatrical performance. They are joined by special guest TRAGEDY.

402.884.5707 reverblounge.com

QVEEN HERBY: ISLE OF QVEEN TOUR

May 21 at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. Rapper Qveen Herby visits The Admiral on her Isle of Qveen Tour with her strong lyricism and high-fashion style. Special guest is Thot Squad. admiralomaha.com

THE TEXAS TENORS

May 23-24 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The talented trio of The Texas Tenors includes a country singer, pop singer, and opera singer. Listen to their gorgeous vocals alongside Omaha Symphony’s instrumentals.

402.345.0606 omahasymphony.org

BAHL CONDUCTS MAHLER’S TITAN

May 29-30 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Maestro Ankush Kumar Bahl returns to the Omaha Symphony to celebrate his tenure by conducting Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Titan.

402.345.0606 omahasymphony.org

THE BLACK ANGELS: THE PASSOVER 2026 TOUR

May 31 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. On The Passover 2026 Tour, The Black Angels, a psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas, come to Omaha joined by special guest L.A. Witch.

402.345.7569 theslowdown.com

STAGE PERFORMANCES

BOULEVARD OF BOLD DREAMS

Through May 10 at The Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 N. 24th St. Inspired by real-life events of actress Hattie McDaniel, this stage production is about the events surrounding her nomination for an Academy Award for her role in Gone with the Wind

402.933.3161

u-ca.org

MAKING GOD LAUGH

May 1-3, 7-10 at Lofte Community Theatre, 15841 Manley Road. This story follows a family over the course of 30 years. Through the holidays each year, watch the family grow and change over time.

402.234.2553

lofte.org

KEVIN JAMES: EAT THE FROG

May 10 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Actor and comedian Kevin James visits Omaha for a night of laughter and fun, best known for performances in Grown Ups, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and more.

402.345.0606

o-pa.org

MRS. DOUBTFIRE

May 12-17 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Watch the classic film Mrs. Doubtfire come to life on stage and see the lengths an out-of-work-actor will take for his kids.

402.345.0606

o-pa.org

A

CHORUS LINE

May 14-June 14 at BLUEBARN Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St. The final show of BLUEBARN’s Season 37 features this fantastic musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for a spot on a chorus line.

402.345.1576

bluebarn.org

OKLAHOMA!

May 14-17, 21-24 at Chanticleer Theatre, 1001 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs. Watch this star-crossed lovers story between a farm girl and a cowboy in the Wild West at the turn of the 20th century.

712.890.5600

paceartsiowa.org/theater/chanticleer-community-theater

JIM JEFFERIES: SONG OF A CARPENTER TOUR

May 15 at The Astro, 8302 City Centre Drive. Jim Jefferies is a comedian, actor, and writer from Australia. He has released 10 stand-up specials since his first in 2008 and has recently appeared in multiple films and television.

531.283.5212

theastrotheater.com

CHELCIE LYNN: THE LOOSE LIPS TOUR

May 16 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Comedian Chelcie Lynn is coming to Omaha on her Loose Lips Tour. Known for the personality Trailer Trash Tammy, the night is sure to be full of silly, goofy fun. 402.345.0606

steelhouseomaha.com

TIFFANY HADDISH

May 22-23 at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 710 N. 114th St. Suite 210. Actress and stand-up comedian Tiffany Haddish comes to Funny Bone with two shows. Best known for her roles in Girls Trip and Night School, she is definitely a powerhouse to see.

402.493.8036

omaha.funnybone.com

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS IN

Zephyr Fest

June 20

An annual rocking festival that raises funds for a cause. Family-friendly events and activities. This year’s partner is York County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

YORKVISITORS.ORG

Firecracker Frenzy

July 3

Celebrate Independence Day with us on July 3 with a breathtaking reworks extravaganza at the York County Fairgrounds.

NEBRASKA

York County Fair

August 6-9

Annual summer celebration featuring a carnival, concerts, rodeo, games, and races.

MARY POPPINS

May 29-June 28 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. The well-beloved story of a nanny who travels by umbrella and has the whole world in her bag comes to Omaha Community Playhouse for spectacular performances and supercalifragilistic fun.

402.553.0800

omahaplayhouse.com

FAMILY, FESTIVALS, AND MORE

THOMAS DAMBO'S TROLLS: SAVE THE HUMANS

Through May 18 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Explore the outdoor gardens to find six trolls made from reclaimed wood. Learn about recycling, sustainability, and preserving nature as you read about their stories.

402.346.4002

lauritzengardens.org

GET BUILDING! BRICKS AT THE DURHAM

Through May 24 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Partnering with Lincoln/Omaha Lego User Group, this interactive exhibit displays Lego versions of iconic Nebraska buildings and allows visitors to create their own buildings.

402.444.5071

durhammuseum.org

THE SOPRANOS: NINETEENTH CENTURY A-LISTERS

Through June 7 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This project showcases works from the Byron Reed collection featuring rare items from the 19th-century theater boom.

402.444.5071 durhammuseum.org

GOLDEN SPIKE DAYS PHOTO EXHIBITION

Through Aug. 16 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This photo archive exhibition captures the four-day celebration, Golden Spike Days, for the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's film, Union Pacific. 402.444.5071

durhammuseum.org

BONSAI AND IKEBANA EXHIBITIONS

May 1-3 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. View arrangements of bonsai and ikebana, and learn from professionals about the art and science of both Japanese arts.

402.346.4002 lauritzengardens.org

JUNKSTOCK

May 1-3, 8-10 at Sycamore Farms, 1150 River Road Drive. One of the best vintage festivals in the country, Junkstock has all the knick-knacks and unique items for vintage lovers. Enjoy live music and delicious food while browsing through vendors. junkstock.com

A GALACTIC NIGHT OUT

May 2 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland. This 21+ event opens the SAC Museum up after hours for a night of galactic fun with lightsaber duels, trivia, food trucks, and more.

402.944.3100 sacmuseum.org

OMAHA FARMERS MARKET

May 2-Oct. 11 in Old Market, 11th and Jackson Streets & Aksarben, 67th Street and Mercy Road. Every Saturday, stroll through vendors in the historic Old Market. On Sundays, visit Aksarben for even more local items to browse. Either way, you’ll definitely be going home with something in your bag.

402.320.1896 omahafarmersmarket.com

THE

RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL OF NEBRASKA

May 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 at Bellevue Berry Farm, 11001 S. 48th St., Papillion. Celebrate the great Renaissance era at Bellevue Berry Farm. Meet fairies and pirates, dance with the may-pole, meet Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, and more. renfestnebraska.com

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW

May 4 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Watch the best of the best WWE stars battle in a high-energy and drama-filled night at CHI Health Center. 402.341.1500 chihealthcenteromaha.com

SIP NEBRASKA FESTIVAL

May 8-9 at E.T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W. Park Highway, Ashland. The 13th Annual Sip Nebraska Festival brings the state's finest wineries, breweries, and distilleries to Mahoney State Park. Other activities include bingo, live entertainment, goat yoga, and more.

402.944.2523 outdoornebraska.gov/location/eugene-t-mahoney

2026 TOAST NEBRASKA: SPRING WINE FESTIVAL

May 8-9 at Stinson Park, 2285 S. 67th St. Enjoy a plethora of the Midwest’s finest wines at Stinson Park for this annual wine festival. Sample from a variety of wines at the largest gathering of wineries in the region.

402.405.1291 toastwinefest.com

CINCO DE MAYO OMAHA

May 15-17 in South Omaha. For 106 years, this event has been the largest cultural festival in Nebraska. Enjoy live cultural music and entertainment, a parade, carnival rides, vendors, and more.

402.313.9658 cdmomaha.com

MUSEUM INSIDER: THE DURHAM CELEBRATES 250TH ANNIVERSARY

May 16 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St . This insider tour offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum. Celebrating 250 years, view America through early Omaha pioneer Byron Reed, who collected rare coins and documents.

402.444.5071

durhammuseum.org

FLORENCE DAYS

May 16-17 at various sites in downtown Florence. This annual festival celebrates the rich history of Florence with activites like a quilt exhibit, pancake feed, hands-on dowsing, and more for the whole weekend.

402.551.1233

BRIDAL AND WEDDING EXPO

May 17 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. This expo showcases some of the metro’s best wedding professionals. Soon-to-be brides and grooms can meet bridal stylists, photographers, DJs, caterers, event planners, and more.

402.341.1500 chihealthcenteromaha.com

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

May 22 & 25 at Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave. On May 22, unfurl the world’s largest American flag and enjoy food and a performance by Ronan Tynan. On May 25, enjoy free pancakes, skydivers, and a ceremony honoring the fallen.

402.677.0776 patrioticproductions.org

ELKHORN DAYS 2026

May 28-31 in Elkhorn. The annual celebration of Elkhorn has many events for a fun-filled weekend. Watch the parade stroll through town, play in the cornhole tournament, listen to live music, watch fireworks, and more.

402.289.9560 elkhorndays.org

NIGHT MARKET

May 29 at Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St. In the warm summer months, Turner Park hosts the Night Market once a month. Enjoy live music, local vendors, lawn games and activities, and many options for food and drink at Midtown Crossing businesses.

402.444.5930 midtowncrossing.com

MAIFEST

May 30 at German-American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. Join the German-American Society in the joyful celebration of Maifest. Enjoy live music, traditional performances, German food, and more with free admission.

402.333.6615 germanamericansociety.org

SPLISH SPLASH BUBBLE BASH

May 30-31 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Celebrating its 50th birthday, Omaha Children’s Museum invites all to come and partake in exciting and bubbly festivities for a big birthday weekend.

402.342.6164

ocm.org

TASTE OF OMAHA

May 29-31 at Heartland of America Park, 800 Douglas St. The 28th annual Taste of Omaha is a festival of great food and entertainment. Enjoy the city’s beloved restaurants and listen to live music all weekend long. 402.346.8003 showofficeonline.com

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA DAY OF CELEBRATION AND GIVING

May 1. Benefits: Memories for Kids Location: Champions Run memoriesforkids.org

FURRRST FRIDAYS

May 1. Benefits: Nebraska Humane Society and Omaha Public Library Location: Nebraska Humane Society nehumanesociety.org

HOPE BREWS

May 1. Benefits: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Location: The Granary cff.org/nebraska

BLUE ROSE PRCA CHARITY RODEO

May 1-2. Benefits: Blue Rose PRCA Location: Sarpy County Fairgrounds blueroseprca.com

ASN FUN & RESOURCE FEST

May 2. Benefits: Autism Society Nebraska Location: Omaha Sports Complex autismnebraska.org

DERBY DAY

May 2. Benefits: Papillion Community Foundation Location: Papillion Landing papillionfoundation.org

SPRING CONCERT

May 2. Benefits: Omaha Symphonic Chorus Location: Countryside Community Church omahasymphonicchorus.org

47TH ANNUAL FOR THE KIDS BENEFIT

May 2. Benefits: Omaha Children’s Museum Location: Omaha Children’s Museum ocm.org

“CONDUCTOR’S CHOICE” CONCERT

May 3. Benefits: Omaha Symphonic Winds Location: TBD omahasymphonicwinds.org

2026 OMAHA SYMPHONY GALA

May 13. Benefits: Omaha Symphony and Omaha Performing Arts Location: Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement and Holland Performing Arts Center omahasymphony.org

MUSTACHE MELEE

ART OF LIVING BEYOND CANCER CONFERENCE

May 4. Benefits: A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha-La Vista Conference Center atth.org

SWING FOR THE SPECTRUM

May 4. Benefits: Autism Action Partnership Location: Shadow Ridge Country Club autismaction.org

May 14. Benefits: Mustaches 4 Kids Omaha Location: Stocks n Bonds m4komaha.com

RUN TO REMEMBER 5K

May 16. Benefits: Nebraska Army National Guard Location: Zorinsky Lake

THE OSCAS

May 28. Benefits: Omaha Sports Commission Location: The Relevant Center omahasports.org

AVA’S ARMY COLOR RUN

May 30. Benefits: Ava’s Army Location: Stinson Park avasarmy1.com

OMAHA GREAT STRIDES 2026

May 30. Benefits: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Location: Werner Park cff.org/nebraska

STACHE BASH

May 30. Benefits: Mustaches 4 Kids Omaha Location: Slowdown m4komaha.com

F A M I L I A R . E A S Y . U N F O R G E T T A B L E .

VACATION Summer

WINGS OVER THE PLATTE

Through June 6 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. This exhibition explores the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that come together to make up the beautiful Platte River. From artists connected to the Platte River Valley, the artwork displays the heart of the Great Plains through its sceneries, plants, and animals. Many pieces of artwork will be available for purchase.

LINCOLN AAPI HERITAGE CELEBRATION

May 2 at Sandhills Global Event Center, Lincoln. To kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander appreciation month, the Asian Community and Cultural Center is hosting a family-friendly celebration at the Sandhills Global Event Center. With cultural performances, traditional activities, games, Asian cuisine, and more, this event honors the Year of the Horse and the heritage of Asian culture. sandhillsglobaleventcenter.org

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKER COLLEGE RODEO

May 2-3 at Sandhills Global Event Center, Lincoln. Cheer on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rodeo Team at the Sandhills Global Event Center. College rodeo athletes from Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will compete for the chance to represent the Great Plains Region at the College National Finals Rodeo. sandhillsglobaleventcenter.org

MOTHER’S DAY TEA

May 9 at Arbor Lodge, Nebraska City. Join Arbor Day Lodge for a wonderful cup of tea on Mother’s Day. Sit in the gorgeous sunroom of the grand mansion and enjoy an assortment of teas with a selection of brunch and dessert items. Be sure to check out the Celebrating Mothers exhibit that highlights the Morton Family mothers as well as America’s Founding Mothers. The exhibit runs from May 1-17.

May 24 at Pinewood Bowl Theater, Lincoln. See the legendary American rock band Styx live at the Pinewood Bowl Theater. Hear all-time classics like “Renegade,” “Babe,” and “Come Sail Away.” With special guest Cheap Trick, this show is sure to be electrifying and energetic. Two powerhouses of rock ’n’ roll make this summer concert one you won’t want to miss.

THE WAKEFIELD PARTY

May 30 on Main Street, Wakefield. On the gorgeous bricks of Main Street in downtown Wakefield, celebrate this country music festival. With a talented lineup and delicious food, this is the biggest night of the year in town. Enjoy the small town charm and be surrounded by good energy and good music all night.

Explore IOWA

IOWA HORSE FAIR AND RODEO

May 8-10 at Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines. Visit the Iowa State Fairgrounds to shop, learn, and connect with thousands of horse owners, competitors, families, and equestrian clinicians. Events throughout the weekend include equestrian drill teams, a queen contest, mounted shooting, trail challenges, clinics, and rogue rodeos.

ORANGE CITY TULIP FESTIVAL

May 14-16 in Downtown Orange City. 2026 marks the 85th year of the Tulip Festival. Join the members of Orange City to celebrate tulip-time and the charm of old Dutch customs. Over the course of the weekend, get the chance to attend events like the craft show, carnival, music, parades, a cruise-in car show, an antique tractor show, and more. octulipfestival.com

CINDERELLA

May 16-17 at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines. Watch the classic romance story of Cinderella in this never-seen-before collaboration between Ballet Des Moines and Des Moines Symphony. Watch the grace and elegance of Ballet Des Moines dancers tell the story of Cinderella while listening to the score of Sergei Prokofiev played by the talented Des Moines Symphony. balletdesmoines.org

IOWA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

May 23-25, 30-31 at Middle Amana Community Park, Amana. Experience the true elegance of the Renaissance era at the Iowa Renaissance Festival. Unique vendors offer artisan handmade crafts that are oneof-a-kind. Entertainment includes street performers, music, and acrobatics. Stage acts range from jousting knights to plays and musicals. And don’t forget to snack on a turkey leg or a delicious treat. midwestfests.com

Explore KANSAS

WASHED ASHORE: ART TO SAVE THE SEA

May 16-Sept. 13 at Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, Topeka. This traveling exhibit features ocean pollution collected from beaches transformed into beautiful artworks of massive marine animal sculptures. The powerful exhibit is sure to inspire and spread awareness about the impact of plastic waste. topekazoo.org

LAWRENCE BUSKER FESTIVAL 2026

May 22-24 in Downtown Lawrence. For a weekend-long celebration of street performing, attend the Lawrence Busker Festival, presented by Free State Beer. On multiple stages throughout Downtown Lawrence, watch performances from mimes, dancers, musicians, trapeze artists, and more. For the 17th year in a row, enjoy the exciting tricks and entertainment in this circus on the street. lawrencebuskerfest.com

TIME TRAVELERS VINTAGE EXPO

May 23 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, Wichita. Visit the most diverse traveling vintage market in the country as its makes it way to Wichita. Visiting 16 other cities, this expo has a plethora of vintage items from clothing, to home decor, to handmade items, and more. The variety of vendors offers a wide range of styles and prices, so there is something for everyone to find and love. century2.com

ARTPOP

Explore MISSOURI

May 7 at Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City. Celebrate the Spring End of Semester Exhibition and Sale at the Kansas City Art Institute. Explore the art studios of KCAI students and purchase their artwork. All proceeds will benefit individual artists and designers. Attend POPTRA, an installation that showcases student-designed costumes and performance art on an iconic runway. kcai.edu

STARS ON ICE

May 7 at Enterprise Center, St. Louis. After watching them shine on the ice at the Winter Olympics 2026, watch members from Team USA figure skating perform at the Enterprise Center. See skaters Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, and iconic husband-wife partners Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Other skaters performing include national champions Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Jason Brown, and more. enterprisecenter.com

ALI WONG LIVE

May 16 at Stifel Theatre, St. Louis. Actress and comedian Ali Wong is visiting Stifel Theatre for a night full of jokes and fun. Known for her hilarious stand-up comedy and roles in Beef, Always Be My Maybe, and American Housewife, she is a master at delivering jokes and filling the room with laughter. stifeltheatre.com

KID CUDI: THE REBEL RAGERS TOUR

May 19 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights. Grammy-winning musician, actor, record producer, and fashion designer, Kid Cudi, is on his Rebel Ragers Tour. At Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, hear fan-favorites like “Day ’n’ Nite,” “Pursuit of Happiness,” and “Mr. Rager.” Exploring genres like hip-hop, rock, and electronica, his music stands out and remains popular among young people today. hollywoodcasinoampstlouis.com

Explore SOUTH DAKOTA

605 ANTIQUES' OUTDOOR FLEA MARKET

May 6 at 605 Antiques, Sioux Falls. 605 Antiques kicks off their flea market season with one market every month starting in May and ending in September. Stroll through booths of local vendors to find unique items and antiques. Spend the day hunting for hidden gems and treasures at 605 Antiques’ outdoor flea market for a one-of-a-kind experience. 605antiques.com

NATIONAL BARREL HORSE ASSOCIATION

May 22-23 at James Kjerstad Event Center, Rapid City. Watch some of the best barrel racers compete to qualify for the National Barrel Horse Association World Championships. See racers from all ages show off their barrel racing skills from youth to senior. This fast-paced rodeo speed event is sure to be exciting and fun for the whole family.

centralstatesfairinc.com

CHICKEN FEET AND CESSNAS

You want adventure?

What’s the old saying? “Be careful what you wish for.” That’s because sometimes wishes have tricks attached if you don’t phrase them just right, which is why you should always have your lawyer with you before you rub the lamp. And wishes are easy to waste especially if you only get three and you’re watching a Husker football game—you could run out before the first quarter was half over.

But back to the topic. We all wish for adventure in our lives, don’t we?

Here are a few select adventures in my life:

I have gone to a real bullfight—not some Vince McMahon WrestleMania-type bullfight—a real bullfight in the Plaza de Toros in Ciudad de México with a matador, picadors, banderilleros, and and a mozo de espada. I ate a real tamale and drank a real Coca-Cola pre-fight and sat on the sunny side of the ring, which, considering my skin type, was a real adventure.

I once ordered spicy chicken feet at a cafe in Hong Kong. Really, “phoenix claws,” or “fung jao” are a classic Cantonese dim sum staple. That was adventurous, though not as adventurous as the taxi ride up Victoria  Peak to the restaurant. Trust me, take the tram.

I have ridden in the backseat of an F-16B with the USAF Thunderbirds— pulled 6.5 G’s in a combat turn, taken the fly-by-wire control stick and executed a four-point roll, and flown a full loop that begins with a steep climb to a fully inverted attitude at the top, descending through a 3.5 G pull-out at the bottom with careful pitch control to maintain a circular shape through the pattern—right above southbound I-29 over some unsuspecting Werner Trucking 18-wheelers in a convoy headed for Mound City. Really, I did that.

It was easy mainly because my dad, a World War II Navy pilot, once took me up in a Boeing-Stearman Model 75, the “Yellow Peril” biplane that he had trained in back in the day. I was all of 11 years old. A friend had salvaged one of the Kadets from the boneyard and loaned it to my father for the afternoon. Now, it was true that 15 years after his discharge, though Dad did not have an actual pilot license, he did have good muscle memory, and if he could fly a four-engine PBY-2 Privateer Navy version of a B-24, surely he could still handle a single-engine open-cockpit bi-plane, right? He reassured his friend that he didn’t need “no stinkin’ license” and off we went. That was the first time I flew upside down, with a very tight four-point harness belt of course. Thus the F-16 adventure was absolutely no problem. In both cases I returned the air-sick bags unused and thanked the crew chief for the use of his airplane. Because that’s how it’s done.

Now, decades later, I find myself amazed that all the adventures of my life have led me here. To a sunny day, a tamale, some chicken feet, and an unsupervised Cessna 172 on the tarmac at the Blair Executive Airfield.

Air sick bags?

I don’t need no stinkin’ airsick bags.

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