Published in Parade of Homes, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, October 4, 2008
Copyright 2008 by the Lincoln Journal-Star. Used with permission.
This is my original, unedited version
Fourteen years ago Judith Andre was ready for a change. With her sons grown, she no longer needed her four-bedroom home on an acreage. So she sold her acreage and bought the old city mission building in downtown Lincoln.
A glass artist, Andre remodeled the main floor into an art studio space, converted the second story into two apartments, and moved into one herself. She’s never looked back. “I like to walk, and within a few blocks I can walk to a big variety of places,” she said. “We’ve got the restaurants, the movies, the university campus and Lied Center. And I like the people downtown.”
Jane Morrison worked as an accountant with BKD, often putting in long hours. Moving to the University Towers eliminated her commute and gave her more hours in the day. Now retired, she can’t imagine living anywhere else. She doesn’t even need a locker at the YMCA, because it’s only two blocks from her house. “My home is my locker,” she jokes. She parks in a parking garage on the same level as her apartment and uses a cart to carry in groceries. She often gathers with her neighbors in the building’s rooftop garden.
“They deliver my cleaning to my door, and the trash disappears at 8 every morning. I feel pampered and special,” she said.
Andre and Morrison are part of a growing population—most of them young professionals, those without children, or empty nesters—discovering the advantages of downtown living.
In the past 15 years, housing has exploded in downtown areas nationwide, said Terry Uland, president of the Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA). More than 3000 people now call downtown Lincoln home. The DLA sees constant interest in their online Downtown Living Guide, which refers people to realtors and leasing agents for downtown apartments and condos. Available places fill quickly and many have waiting lists.
“Downtown living isn’t for everyone, but there’s a growing segment of the market who wants the convenience of downtown, who wants the proximity to cultural venues and restaurants and to like-minded people,” said Uland.
“There’s a different energy downtown,” said Todd Ogden, DLA’s marketing director. “You always feel there are people around you, and there’s a lot going on. It’s a lot more vibrant.”
Randy Hawthorne, who has lived in an apartment above a business at 14th and P for ten years, loves the energy, the festivals, and the excitement of football Saturdays, as well as the fact that he can walk to work. Although he misses the green space, he makes up for it by walking on campus, what he calls his “front yard.” He parks in a garage across the street from the building.
The downtown could benefit from a grocery store in the area, Hawthorne said. Convenience items can often be picked up at Walgreens or the new Rojo’s Goods Haymarket Bodega. For larger grocery runs, he often combines shopping with other errands or social visits. But lugging groceries up the stairs “can get a little old,” he admits.
Mark and Erin Willen had always liked the idea of living downtown. When they recently moved here from Rockford, Illinois, they were pleased to find that Lincoln offered affordable apartments for rent in the downtown area. Their 1200-square-foot unit in the Continental Commons at 11th and O has exposed brick and high ceilings, like many of the downtown apartments (commonly referred to as lofts or loft-style apartments).
Like many residents, they appreciate the accessibility to the Haymarket, restaurants and the YMCA. “We drive the least now than we ever have,” Mark Willen said. He parks in a garage on 10th and P Streets, which can be a “frustrating” walk during the coldest weather, when he does drive. And it can be difficult for friends to find parking places when they come to visit.
Richard and Julia Noyes own the Noyes Art Gallery on 9th and O Streets and live in an apartment above the gallery. Richard Noyes, who is the president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, a volunteer community organization, hears from more and more residents who are choosing to live downtown because they want to get rid of their cars. “They live, work and play downtown,” he said.
Noyes is amazed at how often he sees people out walking and talking. “I’ve never had a problem downtown, and I’ve been able to strike up a conversation with anybody almost all the time,” he said.
Developers are starting to take note of the popularity of downtown living, and they’re banking on increased interest in moving to the city center. Concorde Management and Development is in the process of remodeling the Bank of the West building on 13th and O Streets into “Lincoln Flats,” consisting of 30 new condos on the second through fifth floors. Each unit will average around 1150 square feet and sell for around $200,000.
Steve Schmidt, president of Concorde Management and Development, said that judging from the trends in other cities, Lincoln is just scratching the surface when it comes to downtown living. “I think there will be a lot more of this movement back here from the suburbs. I think people are going to realize that they may not want the drive time. They may want to save gasoline. They may realize they’re just not utilizing their house in the suburbs very well, and they may not like mowing and upkeep.”
The Option, a new row house complex in the Haymarket, capitalizes on the advantages of downtown living while minimizing the drawbacks. The 13 four-story condos each have individual garages as part of the unit, making it easy to carry in groceries in all kinds of weather. To help satisfy the desire for green space, each unit includes a rooftop deck and a small gated yard.
These condos are designed especially for entertaining, said Fernando Pages, president of Brighton Construction Company, which is developing the property in partnership with Hampton Development. The first floor can be used as either a commercial space or entertainment area and is perfect for tailgate parties or receptions. The living room and dining room offer more intimate entertaining on the second floor, and bedrooms are on the third floor. The fourth floor penthouse offers a different kind of entertaining space and opens onto the rooftop deck.
As baby boomers age, the housing trend is moving more toward urban living, Pages said. Baby boomers would rather go to dinner and have a drink than go to the park and throw a baseball.
“The market for downtown living is stymied only by one thing,” Pages said. “And that is that the people who want to live downtown have to sell a house in the suburbs to do it. The desire to live downtown is very strong. There is no lack of people who would rather live downtown than in the suburbs right now.”
Showing posts with label Lincoln Journal-Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lincoln Journal-Star. Show all posts
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Rancher Honored as Outstanding Older Worker
Published in Prime Time, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, December 2, 2008
Copyright 2008 by the Lincoln Journal-Star. Used with permission.
This is my original, unedited copy.
There’s no such thing as a typical day for J. Blaine Runner. Hard work that changes from day to day is a way of life for the 80-year-old rancher, who has lived and worked for 37 years in land well suited for cattle, but often not an easy place for the people who care for them.
Runner was named the 2008 Outstanding Older Worker for Nebraska by Experience Works, the nation’s largest provider of training and employment services for older workers. Runner’s daughter, Ruth Fleecs, nominated her father because of his many years of hard work and persistence, as well as his good stewardship practices and desire to keep learning and growing.
In September Blaine and his wife Betty attended a proclamation ceremony in Lincoln and also traveled to Washington, D.C., where they were honored at the Prime Time Awards Banquet, along with representatives from each state. Mildred Heath, a 100-year-old journalist from Overton, Nebr., was also honored at the banquet, receiving the award for America’s Oldest Worker for 2008.
The Runners live in southern Cherry County, Nebr., where Blaine, his brother Robert Runner and two ranch hands raise Angus cattle on an 18,000-acre ranch, now bordered by one of Ted Turner’s bison ranches. Blaine and Betty’s earth sheltered home is 43 miles from the nearest town (Hyannis, population 235). Mail only comes three times per week in their part of the sandhills, and if a vehicle drives down the road, someone’s either lost or coming to visit. But Runner loves being a rancher, an all-encompassing way of life where work and pleasure blend together.
“Things that a lot of people do for recreation, we do as a business,” he said. The ATVs that some people use for recreational four-wheeling are vital for getting around quickly on a ranch, while horses are invaluable for crossing water and riding over the rugged sandhills. He had a pilot’s license for 59 years and used an aircraft for quick trips to town, checking on water tanks and cattle, and searching for stray cattle. It also allowed him to range further from home and return the same day before inclement weather arrived.
“Ranch work changes from season to season,” Runner said. “In the spring it’s calving time and taking care of young cattle. In summertime it’s putting up hay, and in the fall it’s processing and selling cattle and doing extra work and repairs. In the winter it’s fighting snow and business as usual when the weather’s okay.”
Challenges come from the wild animals that share the land. Pocket gophers make mounds of sand that get into the mowers while he’s cutting hay. About a hundred mule deer graze in the cedar trees, and elk are becoming more common in western Nebraska. When dogs have a run-in with a porcupine, it sometimes results in a visit to the vet to remove the quills.
Because services are distant and more expensive, ranchers learn to be creative with mechanical work. Some do their own cesarean operations on cows, and removing personal medical sutures is common. Home schooling for early grades is increasing.
“Where we live induces a ‘do it yourself response,’” Runner explained. “The more skills a person has, the better it is for the business.”
Lifelong Nebraskans, the Runners moved to Cherry County in 1971, after spending nine years in Hooker County and 30 years before that near North Platte. Blaine Runner comes from a long line of pioneers. His ancestors were some of the first settlers in Kentucky after the Revolutionary War. His grandparents came to Nebraska in the 1880s as homesteaders, and his parents lived in Canada for one year before returning to Nebraska.
Good stewardship of the land is important to Runner, who has written articles about conservation practices and grassland management. He has maintained a policy of allowing employees to accumulate ownership of cattle, which has been a boost to them economically. He enjoys reading in his spare time and is always seeking to grow and learn more about the world around him.
Copyright 2008 by the Lincoln Journal-Star. Used with permission.
This is my original, unedited copy.
There’s no such thing as a typical day for J. Blaine Runner. Hard work that changes from day to day is a way of life for the 80-year-old rancher, who has lived and worked for 37 years in land well suited for cattle, but often not an easy place for the people who care for them.
Runner was named the 2008 Outstanding Older Worker for Nebraska by Experience Works, the nation’s largest provider of training and employment services for older workers. Runner’s daughter, Ruth Fleecs, nominated her father because of his many years of hard work and persistence, as well as his good stewardship practices and desire to keep learning and growing.
In September Blaine and his wife Betty attended a proclamation ceremony in Lincoln and also traveled to Washington, D.C., where they were honored at the Prime Time Awards Banquet, along with representatives from each state. Mildred Heath, a 100-year-old journalist from Overton, Nebr., was also honored at the banquet, receiving the award for America’s Oldest Worker for 2008.
The Runners live in southern Cherry County, Nebr., where Blaine, his brother Robert Runner and two ranch hands raise Angus cattle on an 18,000-acre ranch, now bordered by one of Ted Turner’s bison ranches. Blaine and Betty’s earth sheltered home is 43 miles from the nearest town (Hyannis, population 235). Mail only comes three times per week in their part of the sandhills, and if a vehicle drives down the road, someone’s either lost or coming to visit. But Runner loves being a rancher, an all-encompassing way of life where work and pleasure blend together.
“Things that a lot of people do for recreation, we do as a business,” he said. The ATVs that some people use for recreational four-wheeling are vital for getting around quickly on a ranch, while horses are invaluable for crossing water and riding over the rugged sandhills. He had a pilot’s license for 59 years and used an aircraft for quick trips to town, checking on water tanks and cattle, and searching for stray cattle. It also allowed him to range further from home and return the same day before inclement weather arrived.
“Ranch work changes from season to season,” Runner said. “In the spring it’s calving time and taking care of young cattle. In summertime it’s putting up hay, and in the fall it’s processing and selling cattle and doing extra work and repairs. In the winter it’s fighting snow and business as usual when the weather’s okay.”
Challenges come from the wild animals that share the land. Pocket gophers make mounds of sand that get into the mowers while he’s cutting hay. About a hundred mule deer graze in the cedar trees, and elk are becoming more common in western Nebraska. When dogs have a run-in with a porcupine, it sometimes results in a visit to the vet to remove the quills.
Because services are distant and more expensive, ranchers learn to be creative with mechanical work. Some do their own cesarean operations on cows, and removing personal medical sutures is common. Home schooling for early grades is increasing.
“Where we live induces a ‘do it yourself response,’” Runner explained. “The more skills a person has, the better it is for the business.”
Lifelong Nebraskans, the Runners moved to Cherry County in 1971, after spending nine years in Hooker County and 30 years before that near North Platte. Blaine Runner comes from a long line of pioneers. His ancestors were some of the first settlers in Kentucky after the Revolutionary War. His grandparents came to Nebraska in the 1880s as homesteaders, and his parents lived in Canada for one year before returning to Nebraska.
Good stewardship of the land is important to Runner, who has written articles about conservation practices and grassland management. He has maintained a policy of allowing employees to accumulate ownership of cattle, which has been a boost to them economically. He enjoys reading in his spare time and is always seeking to grow and learn more about the world around him.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Dietze upbeat about future; The store's south location is doing well with music lessons, repairs
Published in Directions 2009, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, February 22, 2009
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
Visit the Dietze Music House at 56th Street and Old Cheney Road, and you'll almost always hear music.
The store's 11 studio rooms, convenient parking and hours of operation have made it the premiere store for lessons out of the four Dietze locations (including downtown, Omaha and Bellevue).
The highest demand is for guitar lessons, Manager Mike Pardee said. Dietze also offers lessons in bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, percussion, flute, piano and violin.
"We have focused on music as an activity rather than just selling an instrument," Pardee said. "We provide service. We have a repair shop for both band instruments and guitars. We offer lessons. It's not like this is the end of the relationship."
Ever since August Dietze opened the first store downtown in 1927, the business has been about serving musicians and empowering the community for music creation and music enjoyment, said Ted Eschliman, coowner of Dietze Music.
Although the business climate has changed, the community continues to show a healthy interest in music, and Eschliman doesn't see that changing much -- even with the economy.
The Internet has changed everything in the retail world, Eschliman said.
"We do have the edge in that music is a sensory experience," he said. "You cannot have an organic experience with an instrument unless it's in your hands. We try to exploit that and do everything we can to give people the opportunity to experience music in real time and real dimension."
Those opportunities include "instrument petting zoos" -- where children can play instruments -- free music workshops and supporting the Lincoln Symphony's Young People's Concerts.
With the current recession, Dietze is cautious about certain product areas. For instance, the store is focusing more on inexpensive keyboards rather than grand pianos. But Eschliman is optimistic the arts will remain strong even through a recession.
"There are still people that want that comfort. They want enjoyment. Maybe they're not going to do a trip to Acapulco or buy an RV, but maybe they'll sit on their front porch with a guitar or banjo and enjoy themselves."
And parents will always value their kids.
That's why their rental program and lessons have remained strong, Eschliman said. "We've seen health there, and that will continue to be healthy for us. It's a matter of priority. People will spend money on their kids."
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission
Visit the Dietze Music House at 56th Street and Old Cheney Road, and you'll almost always hear music.
The store's 11 studio rooms, convenient parking and hours of operation have made it the premiere store for lessons out of the four Dietze locations (including downtown, Omaha and Bellevue).
The highest demand is for guitar lessons, Manager Mike Pardee said. Dietze also offers lessons in bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, percussion, flute, piano and violin.
"We have focused on music as an activity rather than just selling an instrument," Pardee said. "We provide service. We have a repair shop for both band instruments and guitars. We offer lessons. It's not like this is the end of the relationship."
Ever since August Dietze opened the first store downtown in 1927, the business has been about serving musicians and empowering the community for music creation and music enjoyment, said Ted Eschliman, coowner of Dietze Music.
Although the business climate has changed, the community continues to show a healthy interest in music, and Eschliman doesn't see that changing much -- even with the economy.
The Internet has changed everything in the retail world, Eschliman said.
"We do have the edge in that music is a sensory experience," he said. "You cannot have an organic experience with an instrument unless it's in your hands. We try to exploit that and do everything we can to give people the opportunity to experience music in real time and real dimension."
Those opportunities include "instrument petting zoos" -- where children can play instruments -- free music workshops and supporting the Lincoln Symphony's Young People's Concerts.
With the current recession, Dietze is cautious about certain product areas. For instance, the store is focusing more on inexpensive keyboards rather than grand pianos. But Eschliman is optimistic the arts will remain strong even through a recession.
"There are still people that want that comfort. They want enjoyment. Maybe they're not going to do a trip to Acapulco or buy an RV, but maybe they'll sit on their front porch with a guitar or banjo and enjoy themselves."
And parents will always value their kids.
That's why their rental program and lessons have remained strong, Eschliman said. "We've seen health there, and that will continue to be healthy for us. It's a matter of priority. People will spend money on their kids."
Wagey Drug a pharmacy fixture for decades
Published in Directions 2009, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, February 22, 2009
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
When H.C. Wagey opened Wagey Drug at 27th and Vine streets in 1924, the pharmacy had a hitching post and a trolley line in front.
Boys played football in the grass across the cobblestone street. In the '40s, '50s and '60s,the store's soda fountain was a favorite hangout for students from nearby Whittier Junior High School.In the 1980s, there were six Wagey Drugs in Lincoln,and ownership had transferred to H.C. Wagey's son,H.P.Wagey.
The other stores are now closed, and Gary Rihanek bought the 27th Street store from the Wagey family in 1991. The neighborhood is now one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the city, and the oldest independent pharmacy in town now competes with Walgreens, which moved in across the street in 2001.
Rihanek admits his first reaction was panic when he heard Walgreens was coming. Then he realized the chain's purpose was not to put independent pharmacies out of business, but to attract more customers, in the same way gas stations or fast food places are often next to each other.
"People know that there is a Wagey Drug and there is a Walgreens, and if one doesn't have it, the other will," Rihanek said.
Still, he responded by installing awnings and remodeling the store to fit in with the revamped neighborhood. He also competes by providing competitive prices, personal attention and extra services. A total of 37 staff members serves customers, including a fulltime receptionist and three office personnel to handle paperwork.
Pharmacists and technicians speak Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese.
Like many pharmacies, Wagey Drug provides free delivery, but its services go a step further. At no extra charge, staff will set up a week's worth of prescriptions for a customer, making it easy to get the right dose each time. For blind customers, he provides Script Talk, which verbalizes prescription information.
Wagey Drug also has been chosen to provide prescription services for several residential homes, drug treatment facilities and low-income programs, such as the Lancaster County General Assistance Program and the Peoples Health Center.
"I have similar values to what they're wanting to do," Rihanek said. "And that's to take care of people, to treat them with respect, not punish them because they're having a rough time in life."
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
When H.C. Wagey opened Wagey Drug at 27th and Vine streets in 1924, the pharmacy had a hitching post and a trolley line in front.
Boys played football in the grass across the cobblestone street. In the '40s, '50s and '60s,the store's soda fountain was a favorite hangout for students from nearby Whittier Junior High School.In the 1980s, there were six Wagey Drugs in Lincoln,and ownership had transferred to H.C. Wagey's son,H.P.Wagey.
The other stores are now closed, and Gary Rihanek bought the 27th Street store from the Wagey family in 1991. The neighborhood is now one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the city, and the oldest independent pharmacy in town now competes with Walgreens, which moved in across the street in 2001.
Rihanek admits his first reaction was panic when he heard Walgreens was coming. Then he realized the chain's purpose was not to put independent pharmacies out of business, but to attract more customers, in the same way gas stations or fast food places are often next to each other.
"People know that there is a Wagey Drug and there is a Walgreens, and if one doesn't have it, the other will," Rihanek said.
Still, he responded by installing awnings and remodeling the store to fit in with the revamped neighborhood. He also competes by providing competitive prices, personal attention and extra services. A total of 37 staff members serves customers, including a fulltime receptionist and three office personnel to handle paperwork.
Pharmacists and technicians speak Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese.
Like many pharmacies, Wagey Drug provides free delivery, but its services go a step further. At no extra charge, staff will set up a week's worth of prescriptions for a customer, making it easy to get the right dose each time. For blind customers, he provides Script Talk, which verbalizes prescription information.
Wagey Drug also has been chosen to provide prescription services for several residential homes, drug treatment facilities and low-income programs, such as the Lancaster County General Assistance Program and the Peoples Health Center.
"I have similar values to what they're wanting to do," Rihanek said. "And that's to take care of people, to treat them with respect, not punish them because they're having a rough time in life."
Drivers help seniors keep independence
Published in Prime Time, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, January 27, 2009
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
Several years ago, when Lorrayne Livingston was forced to give up driving because of macular degeneration, it was the independence she missed the most. Her friends were willing to take her shopping, but she always felt rushed.
"It seems like nobody can do anything leisurely nowadays," she said. "I used to go to the stores and just kind of mill around."
When Livingston, now 81, heard about the Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program a few months ago, one of the first places she wanted to go was Westfield Gateway. She'd been there on quick errands, but she didn't really know her way around the remodeled mall. She arranged for a volunteer to drop her off, and she spent several hours exploring by herself and even had lunch before the volunteer returned to pick her up.
Next, she asked for a ride to the Hy-Vee at 84th and Holdrege streets. She lived near another grocery store but wanted to see someplace new. Now she goes there on a regular basis, spending up to six hours in the store. She takes her time looking at things and often eats both breakfast and lunch in the deli.
"I don't go anyplace unless there's food," she said. "You cook for yourself so long; it's always nice to eat out."
Once a month, volunteers also take her to a reading group at her church.
She's made a list of places she'd like to go in the future, such as a Native powwow, a Cinco de Mayo celebration and a Gospel music concert. She'd also like to spend some time at the University of Nebraska, reminiscing about her student days there and exploring the large-print section of Love Library.
"You always know you can get a ride, and they're always comfortable," she said. "They're always good drivers."
The Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program, a collaborative effort of the Lincoln Seniors Foundation and the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging, was started in January 2008 to provide transportation to Lincoln seniors.
Several years ago, the foundation surveyed area seniors about their most pressing needs.
"Overwhelmingly, the respondents said that maintaining their independence and ability to get around was extremely important," said Alice Skultety, foundation president. Their survey found that 15 percent of Lincoln seniors had given up driving completely and 50 percent limited their driving or had eliminated nighttime driving.
National statistics indicate that, on average, men live six years after they quit driving; women live 11 years, said June Pederson, director of the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging.
"That's a long time to depend on taxis, friends and children for rides," she said.
The Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program was modeled after a successful program in Austin, Texas. Participation is open to anyone age 65 or older living in Lincoln. Riders are picked up at the curb of their home and taken anywhere within the city limits except medical appointments or the airport.
Coordinator Deb Hynek said the program has about 100 riders and 20 volunteer drivers. Riders need to be ambulatory. Many use walkers or canes, but the program is not able to take someone using a wheelchair.
Participants may request up to two rides per week, but at least one must be an essential trip, such as to the grocery store, beauty salon, bank, legal or professional appointment, or religious service. Non-essential trips include social events, entertainment, eating out or clothes shopping. The suggested donation is $8 for a round-trip.
Volunteers must provide their own vehicles and are given background checks and a 30-minute driving evaluation. Drivers may volunteer as little as two hours per month, but most enjoy the experience so much they give rides at least weekly.
Mark Richardson, a first-year law student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been volunteering since the program started. It's been a rewarding experience for him.
"People are very grateful, and they have much more life experience than I have myself," he said. "So the conversations that we have are something that I always look forward to whenever I'm getting ready to give a ride. I know it's not a big thing, but it still makes you feel really good to have done a little something to make the community a little better."
Copyright 2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
Several years ago, when Lorrayne Livingston was forced to give up driving because of macular degeneration, it was the independence she missed the most. Her friends were willing to take her shopping, but she always felt rushed.
"It seems like nobody can do anything leisurely nowadays," she said. "I used to go to the stores and just kind of mill around."
When Livingston, now 81, heard about the Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program a few months ago, one of the first places she wanted to go was Westfield Gateway. She'd been there on quick errands, but she didn't really know her way around the remodeled mall. She arranged for a volunteer to drop her off, and she spent several hours exploring by herself and even had lunch before the volunteer returned to pick her up.
Next, she asked for a ride to the Hy-Vee at 84th and Holdrege streets. She lived near another grocery store but wanted to see someplace new. Now she goes there on a regular basis, spending up to six hours in the store. She takes her time looking at things and often eats both breakfast and lunch in the deli.
"I don't go anyplace unless there's food," she said. "You cook for yourself so long; it's always nice to eat out."
Once a month, volunteers also take her to a reading group at her church.
She's made a list of places she'd like to go in the future, such as a Native powwow, a Cinco de Mayo celebration and a Gospel music concert. She'd also like to spend some time at the University of Nebraska, reminiscing about her student days there and exploring the large-print section of Love Library.
"You always know you can get a ride, and they're always comfortable," she said. "They're always good drivers."
The Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program, a collaborative effort of the Lincoln Seniors Foundation and the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging, was started in January 2008 to provide transportation to Lincoln seniors.
Several years ago, the foundation surveyed area seniors about their most pressing needs.
"Overwhelmingly, the respondents said that maintaining their independence and ability to get around was extremely important," said Alice Skultety, foundation president. Their survey found that 15 percent of Lincoln seniors had given up driving completely and 50 percent limited their driving or had eliminated nighttime driving.
National statistics indicate that, on average, men live six years after they quit driving; women live 11 years, said June Pederson, director of the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging.
"That's a long time to depend on taxis, friends and children for rides," she said.
The Lincoln Seniors Transportation Program was modeled after a successful program in Austin, Texas. Participation is open to anyone age 65 or older living in Lincoln. Riders are picked up at the curb of their home and taken anywhere within the city limits except medical appointments or the airport.
Coordinator Deb Hynek said the program has about 100 riders and 20 volunteer drivers. Riders need to be ambulatory. Many use walkers or canes, but the program is not able to take someone using a wheelchair.
Participants may request up to two rides per week, but at least one must be an essential trip, such as to the grocery store, beauty salon, bank, legal or professional appointment, or religious service. Non-essential trips include social events, entertainment, eating out or clothes shopping. The suggested donation is $8 for a round-trip.
Volunteers must provide their own vehicles and are given background checks and a 30-minute driving evaluation. Drivers may volunteer as little as two hours per month, but most enjoy the experience so much they give rides at least weekly.
Mark Richardson, a first-year law student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been volunteering since the program started. It's been a rewarding experience for him.
"People are very grateful, and they have much more life experience than I have myself," he said. "So the conversations that we have are something that I always look forward to whenever I'm getting ready to give a ride. I know it's not a big thing, but it still makes you feel really good to have done a little something to make the community a little better."
Circuit training good fit for senior women; The low-impact exercise strengthens muscles and adds bone density.
Published in Prime Time, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, Jul 29, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Jul 29, 2008. Used with permission.
Ellie Stehr thought she was exercising enough. After all, she was walking every week with the Senior Striders.
Then a year ago, her daughter, who is a personal trainer, bought her a membership to Curves for her 78th birthday. Now she can't imagine her life without three to four Curves workouts each week.
"I'm so addicted to it, it's pitiful," she said.
Since she's joined, Stehr has lost nearly 20 pounds and feels much better overall. She likes working out with other women, and she appreciates the way the employees call her by name. "They're glad to see you and they want to help you succeed," she said.
Curves, a circuit training program designed specifically for women, has three Lincoln locations. Similar programs for women are offered at Finesse and Strides, and many fitness centers provide some type of circuit training.
Dennis and Linda Bauer own the two Curves locations in north Lincoln.
In the Curves circuit training program, women spend 30 seconds working on a machine, followed by 30 seconds of activity on a recovery pad, progressing around a circle with other participants. A 10-minute stretching routine completes the workout.
The machines use hydraulics to provide a cardiovascular and strength training workout in a short amount of time, Dennis Bauer explained.
"It's designed so that even a novice who has never done strength training or even fitness of any kind can work next to somebody who has been doing it awhile, and it quickly accommodates to that individual. The more they put into it, the more they are able to get out of it."
Curves and similar fitness programs are designed for women of all ages. The low-impact exercise works well for seniors because it increases strength and bone density without stressing the joints as more high-impact fitness programs often do.
The machines also are designed so that primarily concentric (load-lifting) motions are used, reducing the risk of injury, stiffness and soreness often associated with eccentric (load-lowering) motions. You can put a lot of intensity into your workout without a lot of pain.
Carol Rundquist, 60, has been working out at Curves about three times a week for the past year and a half. She's noticed a marked improvement in her strength and flexibility. But the main reason she keeps going is it's just plain fun.
"I enjoy it. I wouldn't keep going if I didn't enjoy it. It should be a fun experience," Rundquist said. If you go at a certain time, you tend to see the same ladies over and over, and you get to know them."
The social aspect is an important component of a program like Curves', Bauer said. Curves staff incorporate games, contests and community service projects into the experience.Weight loss classes are available.
This sense of community motivates women, but it is usually not as effective for men. In fact, similar programs have been tried for men but have not been as successful, Bauer said.
"What we provide for an atmosphere isn't as conducive for men," Bauer said. "Men don't like to work out with their friends like women do."
The socialization motivates Jan Peck, 67, who has been working out at Curves three to five times a week for more than two years. She also likes the fact that she can get in and out quickly without waiting for machines. Peck often stops at Curves before or after a meeting or errand.
The regular exercise has helped her lose weight and lower her cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as increase her upper body strength. "I've noticed the increased strength when I mow lawns or do things around the house," Peck said. "You don't get that from just walking alone."
Circuit training can even be helpful for women with disabilities. While staff do not provide physical therapy, each participant does a fitness assessment, and staff are available to work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to modify the program to meet their needs.
When Sarah Johnston, 66, began working out at Curves five years ago, her multiple sclerosis, combined with a severely broken leg, had left her quite disabled. Her physical therapist examined each machine and recommended she start with only three machines.
With staff assistance, Johnston began working out on those machines, adding new ones gradually as she improved her strength. Now she does the complete circuit with staff assistance.
The regular workouts have "done wonders" for her strength, stamina and mobility.
Her improvement has astounded her physical therapist, Johnston said. And her workouts make a huge difference in her attitude.
"I haven't been down a day since I started Curves," she said. "If I'm feeling down, I go to Curves, and I'm 'up' immediately."
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Jul 29, 2008. Used with permission.
Ellie Stehr thought she was exercising enough. After all, she was walking every week with the Senior Striders.
Then a year ago, her daughter, who is a personal trainer, bought her a membership to Curves for her 78th birthday. Now she can't imagine her life without three to four Curves workouts each week.
"I'm so addicted to it, it's pitiful," she said.
Since she's joined, Stehr has lost nearly 20 pounds and feels much better overall. She likes working out with other women, and she appreciates the way the employees call her by name. "They're glad to see you and they want to help you succeed," she said.
Curves, a circuit training program designed specifically for women, has three Lincoln locations. Similar programs for women are offered at Finesse and Strides, and many fitness centers provide some type of circuit training.
Dennis and Linda Bauer own the two Curves locations in north Lincoln.
In the Curves circuit training program, women spend 30 seconds working on a machine, followed by 30 seconds of activity on a recovery pad, progressing around a circle with other participants. A 10-minute stretching routine completes the workout.
The machines use hydraulics to provide a cardiovascular and strength training workout in a short amount of time, Dennis Bauer explained.
"It's designed so that even a novice who has never done strength training or even fitness of any kind can work next to somebody who has been doing it awhile, and it quickly accommodates to that individual. The more they put into it, the more they are able to get out of it."
Curves and similar fitness programs are designed for women of all ages. The low-impact exercise works well for seniors because it increases strength and bone density without stressing the joints as more high-impact fitness programs often do.
The machines also are designed so that primarily concentric (load-lifting) motions are used, reducing the risk of injury, stiffness and soreness often associated with eccentric (load-lowering) motions. You can put a lot of intensity into your workout without a lot of pain.
Carol Rundquist, 60, has been working out at Curves about three times a week for the past year and a half. She's noticed a marked improvement in her strength and flexibility. But the main reason she keeps going is it's just plain fun.
"I enjoy it. I wouldn't keep going if I didn't enjoy it. It should be a fun experience," Rundquist said. If you go at a certain time, you tend to see the same ladies over and over, and you get to know them."
The social aspect is an important component of a program like Curves', Bauer said. Curves staff incorporate games, contests and community service projects into the experience.Weight loss classes are available.
This sense of community motivates women, but it is usually not as effective for men. In fact, similar programs have been tried for men but have not been as successful, Bauer said.
"What we provide for an atmosphere isn't as conducive for men," Bauer said. "Men don't like to work out with their friends like women do."
The socialization motivates Jan Peck, 67, who has been working out at Curves three to five times a week for more than two years. She also likes the fact that she can get in and out quickly without waiting for machines. Peck often stops at Curves before or after a meeting or errand.
The regular exercise has helped her lose weight and lower her cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as increase her upper body strength. "I've noticed the increased strength when I mow lawns or do things around the house," Peck said. "You don't get that from just walking alone."
Circuit training can even be helpful for women with disabilities. While staff do not provide physical therapy, each participant does a fitness assessment, and staff are available to work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to modify the program to meet their needs.
When Sarah Johnston, 66, began working out at Curves five years ago, her multiple sclerosis, combined with a severely broken leg, had left her quite disabled. Her physical therapist examined each machine and recommended she start with only three machines.
With staff assistance, Johnston began working out on those machines, adding new ones gradually as she improved her strength. Now she does the complete circuit with staff assistance.
The regular workouts have "done wonders" for her strength, stamina and mobility.
Her improvement has astounded her physical therapist, Johnston said. And her workouts make a huge difference in her attitude.
"I haven't been down a day since I started Curves," she said. "If I'm feeling down, I go to Curves, and I'm 'up' immediately."
Decks add space, options to home
Published in Parade of Homes, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, May 10, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. May 10, 2008. Used with permission.
Adding a deck to your home can expand your living area, giving you space to entertain, prepare food and relax in a comfortable outdoor environment. Choices in materials, size, placement and accessories depend on budget, personal preference and how you plan to use your deck.
MATERIALS
More and more people are choosing to build a deck with composite materials made from a blend of wood and recycled plastic. Although more expensive than traditional wood, composite decks are virtually maintenance free, said Kurt Kontor, owner of Husker Deck and Fence. All fasteners are hidden, so there are no exposed screws or nails.
Composite materials last longer than traditional wood, said Douglas Litz, owner of DL Exteriors. However, keep in mind the deck will last only as long as its subframe, which is typically made of pressure treated lumber.
If you prefer traditional wood, you can choose from pressure treated lumber or cedar. It is recommended that you power wash and stain wood every three to five years, said Litz.
The cost varies from about $11 per square foot for treated lumber up to $35 per square foot for composite material.
SIZE
A typical size for a deck is 10 feet by 12 feet or 12 feet by 12 feet; however, if your budget allows, you can go much larger. In planning for your deck, keep in mind that lumber always comes in lengths of even-numbered feet.
"Instead of doing 12-by-13, where you're cutting a foot off each board, you might as well do 12-by-14," Kontor said.
Many people are choosing to build decks with varying levels. From the base level, you step up a few steps to an entertaining area or step down a few steps for the grilling area. If your deck is more than 30 inches from the ground, a railing is required, which you need to take into account when planning for size and budget.
PLACEMENT
Most homeowners prefer to place a deck off the back of the house, but you may choose to add a deck to the side. Building codes typically require that a deck be at least six to eight feet from the neighbor's property line.
Placement also depends on the homeowners' preferences and how they will use the deck, Litz said. If you like the sun, then go ahead and build on the west or south side to soak up all the sun you can. If you like the shade in the evenings, the east side is best. Plan your placement according to the time of day you will use the deck the most.
"Most people use a deck for a breakfast nook or barbecues at night," Litz said. "Most people don't use it in the middle of the day."
PROTECTION
Adding shade or protection from the elements can make a deck more usable, said Bill Budler, owner of Made in the Shade outdoor living center.
"You can spend thousands of dollars building a big, beautiful deck with nice landscaping, but if it's a blistering 140 degrees on your deck surface, you're not going to use it," he said.
If you are interested in shade protection only, Budler recommends a retractable awning made of acrylic fabric. With the flip of a switch, the awning retracts, allowing you to soak up the rays on a cool day or do a bit of stargazing at night. An awning, however, provides no protection from the wind, rain or snow.
A fixed roof, usually made of aluminum, protects against weather in addition to providing shade.
To further protect from the sun, you can add vertical solar screens, which can be raised or lowered depending on the angle of the sun. Made of fiberglass coated with PVC, solar screens can provide up to 97 percent blockage from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Adding a retractable or fixed cover can add from $2,500 to $4,500 to the cost of your deck, Budler said.
ACCESSORIES
Because many people use their decks for evening entertaining, accent lights are a popular accessory, Kontor said. These often are put along the railings, and many are solar powered to eliminate the need for wiring.
Many decks are made with built-in seating, but decks become more usable with outdoor tables, chairs and benches. Most home owners choose to add upscale furniture rather than simple lawn chairs, Budler said.
Self-contained fountains are another popular accessory, especially those with LED lighting. Most are light enough to be moved indoors during winter and inclement weather. Solar powered fountains conveniently and economically create a relaxing environment for summer evenings on your deck.
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. May 10, 2008. Used with permission.
Adding a deck to your home can expand your living area, giving you space to entertain, prepare food and relax in a comfortable outdoor environment. Choices in materials, size, placement and accessories depend on budget, personal preference and how you plan to use your deck.
MATERIALS
More and more people are choosing to build a deck with composite materials made from a blend of wood and recycled plastic. Although more expensive than traditional wood, composite decks are virtually maintenance free, said Kurt Kontor, owner of Husker Deck and Fence. All fasteners are hidden, so there are no exposed screws or nails.
Composite materials last longer than traditional wood, said Douglas Litz, owner of DL Exteriors. However, keep in mind the deck will last only as long as its subframe, which is typically made of pressure treated lumber.
If you prefer traditional wood, you can choose from pressure treated lumber or cedar. It is recommended that you power wash and stain wood every three to five years, said Litz.
The cost varies from about $11 per square foot for treated lumber up to $35 per square foot for composite material.
SIZE
A typical size for a deck is 10 feet by 12 feet or 12 feet by 12 feet; however, if your budget allows, you can go much larger. In planning for your deck, keep in mind that lumber always comes in lengths of even-numbered feet.
"Instead of doing 12-by-13, where you're cutting a foot off each board, you might as well do 12-by-14," Kontor said.
Many people are choosing to build decks with varying levels. From the base level, you step up a few steps to an entertaining area or step down a few steps for the grilling area. If your deck is more than 30 inches from the ground, a railing is required, which you need to take into account when planning for size and budget.
PLACEMENT
Most homeowners prefer to place a deck off the back of the house, but you may choose to add a deck to the side. Building codes typically require that a deck be at least six to eight feet from the neighbor's property line.
Placement also depends on the homeowners' preferences and how they will use the deck, Litz said. If you like the sun, then go ahead and build on the west or south side to soak up all the sun you can. If you like the shade in the evenings, the east side is best. Plan your placement according to the time of day you will use the deck the most.
"Most people use a deck for a breakfast nook or barbecues at night," Litz said. "Most people don't use it in the middle of the day."
PROTECTION
Adding shade or protection from the elements can make a deck more usable, said Bill Budler, owner of Made in the Shade outdoor living center.
"You can spend thousands of dollars building a big, beautiful deck with nice landscaping, but if it's a blistering 140 degrees on your deck surface, you're not going to use it," he said.
If you are interested in shade protection only, Budler recommends a retractable awning made of acrylic fabric. With the flip of a switch, the awning retracts, allowing you to soak up the rays on a cool day or do a bit of stargazing at night. An awning, however, provides no protection from the wind, rain or snow.
A fixed roof, usually made of aluminum, protects against weather in addition to providing shade.
To further protect from the sun, you can add vertical solar screens, which can be raised or lowered depending on the angle of the sun. Made of fiberglass coated with PVC, solar screens can provide up to 97 percent blockage from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Adding a retractable or fixed cover can add from $2,500 to $4,500 to the cost of your deck, Budler said.
ACCESSORIES
Because many people use their decks for evening entertaining, accent lights are a popular accessory, Kontor said. These often are put along the railings, and many are solar powered to eliminate the need for wiring.
Many decks are made with built-in seating, but decks become more usable with outdoor tables, chairs and benches. Most home owners choose to add upscale furniture rather than simple lawn chairs, Budler said.
Self-contained fountains are another popular accessory, especially those with LED lighting. Most are light enough to be moved indoors during winter and inclement weather. Solar powered fountains conveniently and economically create a relaxing environment for summer evenings on your deck.
Bright spots
Published in Summer Planner, a special section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, May 9, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. May 9, 2008. Used with permission.
Program makes summer a season of learning
At Bright Lights, kids often have so much fun they don't realize they're learning in the process. For 22 summers, Bright Lights has provided hands-on educational opportunities for Lincoln children from post-kindergarten through post-ninth grade. The 120 classes and camps include adventures such as making your own movies, using math to solve crimes, planting pumpkins on a real farm and designing a skate park.
Bright Lights motivates kids to learn by exploring subjects they're interested in, explained Barb Hoppe, education director for the program.
"You've got a classroom of kids from all over the district who are into the same topic, and the teacher and assistants are chosen because that's their interest area. It's a huge reinforcement for them, sort of sharing the passion."
Many of the 105 Bright Lights teachers are professionals in the field or have specific expertise in the subject they teach. A local physician teaches grade schoolers about the wonders of the human body. Middle school students direct and produce a TV news broadcast with two producers from Nebraska Educational Television. A graphics communication teacher from Lincoln Southeast High School integrates art and technology as she helps middle schoolers create wearable art using the high school's computers.
Kids also can discover careers they had never considered before. In "Art, Animal and Nature Drawing," students learn about botanical illustration, which combines interests in art and nature. Other half-day classes and full-day camps focus on careers such as architecture, writing, engineering and health care.
"Outdoor Adventure H2O," a new camp for post-fifth through post-seventh graders, takes students to a stream, a lake, a groundwater-fed spring, a working farm and a water park. Taught by educators from the Groundwater Foundation, the fast-paced camp teaches kids about one of the most important natural resources in our state: water.
For a unique international experience, local middle schoolers can join about 100 Japanese ninth-graders who will be visiting Lincoln on June 23-27 to attend Bright Lights. Students can choose from eight classes focusing primarily on fine arts and science.
Hoppe started Bright Lights with Jan Dutton, another Lincoln mother who saw the need for something more for kids in the summer. There were sports programs available, but nothing to stimulate children academically during the summer break.
"There are statistics that show there's a real summer slide in terms of learning," Hoppe said. "If kids don't practice math and reading in the summer, when they go back again they've lost about two and a half months. This is a way of preventing that."
Clay and Beth Smith's older daughters, Sarah and Emily, ages 8 and 6, love Bright Lights, and 5-year-old Katie can't wait until she's old enough to attend, too. Beth Smith said their girls want to take every Bright Lights class that's offered because the subjects are so much fun.
"It's something different than they would do in the classroom, so to them it's not school," she said. "It's a camp; it's a fun time. It's subjects they care about."
Bright Lights gets to the root of how children learn, said Nancy Graul. She and her husband, Tom, appreciate the visual, active educational experiences for their 8-year-old twins, Thomas and Emily.
"They can use their hands and they can draw. They're not just being told the information and being tested on it. They get into that environment and they learn, 'Oh, I do like chemistry,' or 'I do like writing,' because they've had that great summer experience."
Bright Lights classes are the highlight of the summer for Ken and Ernie VonBargen's three grandchildren, who visit each summer from Estes Park, Colo. The three boys plan their visits to Nebraska around the Bright Lights classes. So far, they've studied robotics, small engines, maps, crime scene investigation and paleontology. This summer the boys are looking forward to learning about space science and painting.
"It's a fantastic program," said Ken VanBargen. "I wish all kids would have a chance to do something like that, to explore a subject in a week's time that relates to their interest and that they don't get in school."
Half-day classes are open to students from post-kindergarten through post-ninth grade. Full-day camps are open to students in post-fourth through post-ninth grade. Need-based scholarships are available for both classes and camps.
Spruce up a spring lawn
Published in gardening section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, Mar 27, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 27, 2008. Used with permission.
As the weather gets warmer, it's time to start thinking about getting your lawn in shape. A few simple steps in the spring can help spruce up your lawn and keep it green throughout the summer.
FERTILIZER/PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE
Roch Gaussoin, state extension turf grass specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recommends waiting until mid to late April to put down your first application of fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide or crab grass preventer.
"These products have a residual content in the soil, so they last longer if you delay in putting them on," he said. "The later you wait, the more apt you are to get the weeds that are going to occur in late June or July."
Once you start to see dandelions, clover, ground ivy or other broadleaf weeds, Gaussoin recommends using spot treater in a spray bottle to target the weeds individually instead of blanketing the entire lawn.
AERATING
Aerating is a mechanical process that pulls tiny plugs of soil out of the ground. It's one of the best things you can do for your lawn, said Patrick O'Brien, owner of O'Brien's Lawn Service. Because eastern Nebraska soil has a high clay content, it gets compacted easily, causing roots to girdle and form at the top of the ground. Aerating decreases this compaction, essentially allowing the ground to breathe.
"Not only are you able to get fertilizer and water down there more effectively, you get humus material that falls into these holes and gets incorporated into the soil," he said.
O'Brien recommends aerating at least once a year in the spring or fall. Aerating machines are available for rent at local garden stores. Many lawn service companies also offer aerating services.
PATCHES
If you find patchy spots in your lawn, it may be a result of snow mold, Gaussoin said. Usually if you wait a few weeks, the problem will clear up on its own. He doesn't recommend grass patch products because they are dominated by rye grass seed, which isn't appropriate for lawns in this area. It's best to reseed with the same kind of grass in the rest of the lawn.
MOWING
Spring is a good time to sharpen your mower blades and set them to the height you're going to use for the rest of the growing season, Gaussoin said. He recommends using the highest or second-highest setting, which should be between 21/2 and 3 inches for Kentucky bluegrass and between 3 and 4 inches for tall fescue.
"We know that for the health of the grass, the higher the mowing height, the better the grass is going to perform," he said. With a higher setting you don't need to mow as often, which ultimately reduces air pollution and gas consumption.
You do not need to start mowing until the grass is higher than the height of your blades.
Scalping, or mowing the lawn at a low setting initially, is not recommended and can actually damage your lawn.
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 27, 2008. Used with permission.
As the weather gets warmer, it's time to start thinking about getting your lawn in shape. A few simple steps in the spring can help spruce up your lawn and keep it green throughout the summer.
FERTILIZER/PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE
Roch Gaussoin, state extension turf grass specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recommends waiting until mid to late April to put down your first application of fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide or crab grass preventer.
"These products have a residual content in the soil, so they last longer if you delay in putting them on," he said. "The later you wait, the more apt you are to get the weeds that are going to occur in late June or July."
Once you start to see dandelions, clover, ground ivy or other broadleaf weeds, Gaussoin recommends using spot treater in a spray bottle to target the weeds individually instead of blanketing the entire lawn.
AERATING
Aerating is a mechanical process that pulls tiny plugs of soil out of the ground. It's one of the best things you can do for your lawn, said Patrick O'Brien, owner of O'Brien's Lawn Service. Because eastern Nebraska soil has a high clay content, it gets compacted easily, causing roots to girdle and form at the top of the ground. Aerating decreases this compaction, essentially allowing the ground to breathe.
"Not only are you able to get fertilizer and water down there more effectively, you get humus material that falls into these holes and gets incorporated into the soil," he said.
O'Brien recommends aerating at least once a year in the spring or fall. Aerating machines are available for rent at local garden stores. Many lawn service companies also offer aerating services.
PATCHES
If you find patchy spots in your lawn, it may be a result of snow mold, Gaussoin said. Usually if you wait a few weeks, the problem will clear up on its own. He doesn't recommend grass patch products because they are dominated by rye grass seed, which isn't appropriate for lawns in this area. It's best to reseed with the same kind of grass in the rest of the lawn.
MOWING
Spring is a good time to sharpen your mower blades and set them to the height you're going to use for the rest of the growing season, Gaussoin said. He recommends using the highest or second-highest setting, which should be between 21/2 and 3 inches for Kentucky bluegrass and between 3 and 4 inches for tall fescue.
"We know that for the health of the grass, the higher the mowing height, the better the grass is going to perform," he said. With a higher setting you don't need to mow as often, which ultimately reduces air pollution and gas consumption.
You do not need to start mowing until the grass is higher than the height of your blades.
Scalping, or mowing the lawn at a low setting initially, is not recommended and can actually damage your lawn.
Shape of Song
published in Prime Time, a special section of the Lincoln Journal Star, Mar 25, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 25, 2008. Used with permission.
Lincoln group keeps shape-note singing tradition alive.
A traditional style of four-part a capella singing is being rediscovered in cities across the nation. The Lincoln shape-note singers say it's not like any music you've ever heard before and that's why they like it.
Shape-note singing developed in the American colonies as a way of teaching congregations how to sing, said group member Aura Lee Furgason. Singing masters traveled from town to town holding "singing schools." Notes on the music staff were given specific shapes and names, which made it easier for untrained singers to read music.
Around the time of the Civil War, new European immigrants began promoting the use of organs and encouraged more "sophisticated" singing. Shape-note singing lost respectability and was kept alive only in remote congregations in the South and on the western frontier.
With the recent popularity of folk music has come a renewed interest in shape-note singing, also called Sacred Harp, referring to a songbook originally published in 1844. Groups that gather to sing these old-style Christian hymns include people of all ages and beliefs.
"Hardly anything about normal choir music applies here," Furgason said. There are no rehearsals, no accompaniment, no audience. It's all about participation. Hugh McGraw, a national Sacred Harp leader, puts it this way: "I wouldn't cross the street to listen to Sacred Harp singing, but I'd travel 500 miles to sing it myself."
At a "singing," the singers sit in a square facing each other, with one vocal part on each side. Of the four parts treble, alto, tenor and bass the tenor usually has the largest number of singers and sings the closest thing to the melody, though the music is more about the harmony than the tune. The songs are always sung at the highest volume possible.
"Forget do, re, mi," Furgason said. Four notes are repeated to make the eight-note scale: fa, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi and fa. Though the music staff is virtually the same, the notes have different shapes: a triangle for fa, an oval for sol, a square for la and a diamond for mi. Before singing the words to a song, Sacred Harp singers first "sing the notes." The resulting sound, which sounds like gibberish to a newcomer, has gained this style the nickname "fasola."
The lyrics many of which were written by English clergymen Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley and John Newton speak of sin, salvation and heaven. Much of the music is Celtic in origin and uses a type of harmony that may sound stark, even discordant to today's musicians. Furgason is fond of saying that you have to have a certain "gene" to enjoy it.
Furgason, now 73, first started singing shape-note music in 1996. She read in the newspaper that Arlie Prokop was starting a group in Lincoln. Furgason, who had sung in school and church choirs, remembered hearing a Sacred Harp rendition of "Amazing Grace" on television, and she thought she'd give it a try. After the first singing, her husband, Jack, asked her what she thought.
"I said, 'Well, it was kind of interesting, but I don't think I'll be back.'"
But all week, the music kept replaying in her head.
"When the next time came, there I went - hooked bad."
Since then, Furgason, who sings treble, has been a regular with the Lincoln group and has attended more than 20 singings in nine states.
"It's thrilling to me," she said. "It's visceral; it's transporting. I like the raw, archaic, heartfelt harmonies. But the other part is the unifying spirit among all of us independent people. There's a bond there."
The Lincoln shape-note singers, consisting of six members, have "demonstrated" they never perform for churches and historic gatherings around the state, including a Lewis and Clark celebration at Fort Calhoun, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Beatrice Chautauqua.
Eric Bachenberg, who sings bass with the Lincoln group, said he's always had an interest in folk music as well as American history, and has been singing in church choirs since he was a child. Sacred Harp music combines all these interests, he said.
"With my history background, I can identify with the time period that this music comes out of: the early days of America, the early westward expansion. This music has survived, and now it can be performed and made to sound just like it did back then."
Historical records show that shape-note songbooks were carried west by migrants along the trails that passed through Nebraska, Bachenberg said. In addition, Abraham Lincoln is known to have attended a singing school.
Shape-note singing is a great way to socialize, Bachenberg said. "You don't have to be a perfectly trained vocalist to sing it. It's just something that's fun to sing."
EXPERIENCE ALL-DAY SINGING
Fasola Omaha will present the 10th Nebraska All-Day Singing, featuring shape-note music from The Sacred Harp, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 5 at St. Vincent's Orthodox Church, 51st and Lake streets in Omaha. The event includes dinner on the grounds and an evening party. For further information, contact Jenni at (402) 504-1281 or e-mail wallacefolk@cox.net.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Lincoln shape-note singers meet at a Lincoln library the third Sunday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information on the Lincoln group, call Aura Lee Furgason at 465-0657.
For more information on Sacred Harp singing, including links to hear the music, visit www.fasola.org.
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 25, 2008. Used with permission.
Lincoln group keeps shape-note singing tradition alive.
A traditional style of four-part a capella singing is being rediscovered in cities across the nation. The Lincoln shape-note singers say it's not like any music you've ever heard before and that's why they like it.
Shape-note singing developed in the American colonies as a way of teaching congregations how to sing, said group member Aura Lee Furgason. Singing masters traveled from town to town holding "singing schools." Notes on the music staff were given specific shapes and names, which made it easier for untrained singers to read music.
Around the time of the Civil War, new European immigrants began promoting the use of organs and encouraged more "sophisticated" singing. Shape-note singing lost respectability and was kept alive only in remote congregations in the South and on the western frontier.
With the recent popularity of folk music has come a renewed interest in shape-note singing, also called Sacred Harp, referring to a songbook originally published in 1844. Groups that gather to sing these old-style Christian hymns include people of all ages and beliefs.
"Hardly anything about normal choir music applies here," Furgason said. There are no rehearsals, no accompaniment, no audience. It's all about participation. Hugh McGraw, a national Sacred Harp leader, puts it this way: "I wouldn't cross the street to listen to Sacred Harp singing, but I'd travel 500 miles to sing it myself."
At a "singing," the singers sit in a square facing each other, with one vocal part on each side. Of the four parts treble, alto, tenor and bass the tenor usually has the largest number of singers and sings the closest thing to the melody, though the music is more about the harmony than the tune. The songs are always sung at the highest volume possible.
"Forget do, re, mi," Furgason said. Four notes are repeated to make the eight-note scale: fa, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi and fa. Though the music staff is virtually the same, the notes have different shapes: a triangle for fa, an oval for sol, a square for la and a diamond for mi. Before singing the words to a song, Sacred Harp singers first "sing the notes." The resulting sound, which sounds like gibberish to a newcomer, has gained this style the nickname "fasola."
The lyrics many of which were written by English clergymen Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley and John Newton speak of sin, salvation and heaven. Much of the music is Celtic in origin and uses a type of harmony that may sound stark, even discordant to today's musicians. Furgason is fond of saying that you have to have a certain "gene" to enjoy it.
Furgason, now 73, first started singing shape-note music in 1996. She read in the newspaper that Arlie Prokop was starting a group in Lincoln. Furgason, who had sung in school and church choirs, remembered hearing a Sacred Harp rendition of "Amazing Grace" on television, and she thought she'd give it a try. After the first singing, her husband, Jack, asked her what she thought.
"I said, 'Well, it was kind of interesting, but I don't think I'll be back.'"
But all week, the music kept replaying in her head.
"When the next time came, there I went - hooked bad."
Since then, Furgason, who sings treble, has been a regular with the Lincoln group and has attended more than 20 singings in nine states.
"It's thrilling to me," she said. "It's visceral; it's transporting. I like the raw, archaic, heartfelt harmonies. But the other part is the unifying spirit among all of us independent people. There's a bond there."
The Lincoln shape-note singers, consisting of six members, have "demonstrated" they never perform for churches and historic gatherings around the state, including a Lewis and Clark celebration at Fort Calhoun, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Beatrice Chautauqua.
Eric Bachenberg, who sings bass with the Lincoln group, said he's always had an interest in folk music as well as American history, and has been singing in church choirs since he was a child. Sacred Harp music combines all these interests, he said.
"With my history background, I can identify with the time period that this music comes out of: the early days of America, the early westward expansion. This music has survived, and now it can be performed and made to sound just like it did back then."
Historical records show that shape-note songbooks were carried west by migrants along the trails that passed through Nebraska, Bachenberg said. In addition, Abraham Lincoln is known to have attended a singing school.
Shape-note singing is a great way to socialize, Bachenberg said. "You don't have to be a perfectly trained vocalist to sing it. It's just something that's fun to sing."
EXPERIENCE ALL-DAY SINGING
Fasola Omaha will present the 10th Nebraska All-Day Singing, featuring shape-note music from The Sacred Harp, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 5 at St. Vincent's Orthodox Church, 51st and Lake streets in Omaha. The event includes dinner on the grounds and an evening party. For further information, contact Jenni at (402) 504-1281 or e-mail wallacefolk@cox.net.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Lincoln shape-note singers meet at a Lincoln library the third Sunday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information on the Lincoln group, call Aura Lee Furgason at 465-0657.
For more information on Sacred Harp singing, including links to hear the music, visit www.fasola.org.
All About the Music
Published in Directions 2008, a section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, March 2, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 2, 2008. Used with permission.
Violin Shop offers special care and attention to violin-family instruments
When he was in high school, if you had told Henry Hultquist he would end up owning a violin shop, he would have thought you were crazy.
Although he loved music, he was a tuba player.
But while working in the music business, he saw a need for a place that specialized in the violin family of instruments.
"It's something that I kind of fell or was gently pushed into," he said.
Hultquist opened The Violin Shop in 1982, and since then he's focused exclusively on the violin, viola, cello and upright bass. Services include sales, rentals, appraisals and repairs.
It's important to provide specialized, knowledgeable service because violins aren't like other instruments, Hultquist said. No two are alike. Each is handmade, using living things such as trees, hide glue and horse hair.
They're works of art and take more maintenance than most band instruments, he said.
They also are unique in that they're the only instruments played with a bow.
"In a sense you're playing two instruments at once," Hultquist said. "You play the violin with your left hand and the bow with your right. And the two interact together."
The shop sells only quality instruments. Hultquist believes in keeping a large inventory on hand and letting each player make the choice. He's fond of the old country saying, "You can't sell out of an empty wagon."
The shop deals in new, used and what Hultquist describes as "old" instruments.
"In the violin business there's a distinction there. An 'old' violin would be 60 or 80 years old or older. There is a theory that old violins are better because, being constantly played, they vibrate more easily - similar to a conditioned athlete.
"If you have a violin that's been continuously played, that makes it easier for the sound to be produced."
When appraising instruments, he considers the quality of workmanship and looks strongly at condition.
Some instruments may have been well made originally but have "lived such a hard life" that it isn't worth spending the money to fix them. If it takes $200 to repair a $200 violin, it has no economic value. With that understanding, some patrons choose to have such a violin restored, however, because they remember a relative playing it or because it's been handed down for generations.
Carl Schneider, the shop's repair technician, takes the time to listen to the customers and find out exactly what their needs are. He's interested in how long they've owned the instrument, whether they are beginners or professional musicians and what kind of music they play.
Each instrument in the violin family needs to be adjusted for sound and playability in a process called "setting up." It's important to set up a violin with the customer in mind, Schneider said. For instance, most school rentals are set up for students to play as easily as possible, focusing on one note at a time. However, a folk musician may require a flatter bridge, making it easier to play two notes simultaneously.
"This is a unique business in that you are not necessarily selling a product," Schneider said. "It's a very personal thing. Some customers (who leave their instruments for repair) look like they're leaving a member of the family behind as they're going out the door. So there's a certain amount of trust that has to be there."
As a string bass player, Schneider understands how musicians form bonds with their instrument, and he feels privileged to be able to work with such delicate pieces. He treats each as if he's putting his own together.
A violin is a perfect balance of science, craft and art, Schneider said. The science involves the physics of how an instrument works and vibrates, the craft is how it's put together, and the art is in the beauty of the instrument.
"If any one of these three gets out of balance, you have an instrument that's just not quite right," he said. "You might have a scientifically perfect-sounding instrument, but it's ugly looking, and some of them look really nice and are carved beautifully, but they don't sound well.
"In repair you have to take that into account to try to assess the qualities of that instrument the best you can and work with it."
Such specialized care and service has kept The Violin Shop going for more than 25 years in its Near South location. Customers come not only from Lincoln but from Omaha, Grand Island and even northern Kansas. Some have moved to other states but bring their violins back for repair when they return to Lincoln to visit.
The violin family continues to be a popular choice for musicians, Hultquist said. It's used in nearly every genre of music, and there's something about violin music that grabs him emotionally.
Ultimately, owning a violin shop isn't about the business, he said. It's about the music.
It's about putting a violin into the hands of budding young artists and watching them grow as musicians. It's about attending a concert and knowing you had a part in it.
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Mar 2, 2008. Used with permission.
Violin Shop offers special care and attention to violin-family instruments
When he was in high school, if you had told Henry Hultquist he would end up owning a violin shop, he would have thought you were crazy.
Although he loved music, he was a tuba player.
But while working in the music business, he saw a need for a place that specialized in the violin family of instruments.
"It's something that I kind of fell or was gently pushed into," he said.
Hultquist opened The Violin Shop in 1982, and since then he's focused exclusively on the violin, viola, cello and upright bass. Services include sales, rentals, appraisals and repairs.
It's important to provide specialized, knowledgeable service because violins aren't like other instruments, Hultquist said. No two are alike. Each is handmade, using living things such as trees, hide glue and horse hair.
They're works of art and take more maintenance than most band instruments, he said.
They also are unique in that they're the only instruments played with a bow.
"In a sense you're playing two instruments at once," Hultquist said. "You play the violin with your left hand and the bow with your right. And the two interact together."
The shop sells only quality instruments. Hultquist believes in keeping a large inventory on hand and letting each player make the choice. He's fond of the old country saying, "You can't sell out of an empty wagon."
The shop deals in new, used and what Hultquist describes as "old" instruments.
"In the violin business there's a distinction there. An 'old' violin would be 60 or 80 years old or older. There is a theory that old violins are better because, being constantly played, they vibrate more easily - similar to a conditioned athlete.
"If you have a violin that's been continuously played, that makes it easier for the sound to be produced."
When appraising instruments, he considers the quality of workmanship and looks strongly at condition.
Some instruments may have been well made originally but have "lived such a hard life" that it isn't worth spending the money to fix them. If it takes $200 to repair a $200 violin, it has no economic value. With that understanding, some patrons choose to have such a violin restored, however, because they remember a relative playing it or because it's been handed down for generations.
Carl Schneider, the shop's repair technician, takes the time to listen to the customers and find out exactly what their needs are. He's interested in how long they've owned the instrument, whether they are beginners or professional musicians and what kind of music they play.
Each instrument in the violin family needs to be adjusted for sound and playability in a process called "setting up." It's important to set up a violin with the customer in mind, Schneider said. For instance, most school rentals are set up for students to play as easily as possible, focusing on one note at a time. However, a folk musician may require a flatter bridge, making it easier to play two notes simultaneously.
"This is a unique business in that you are not necessarily selling a product," Schneider said. "It's a very personal thing. Some customers (who leave their instruments for repair) look like they're leaving a member of the family behind as they're going out the door. So there's a certain amount of trust that has to be there."
As a string bass player, Schneider understands how musicians form bonds with their instrument, and he feels privileged to be able to work with such delicate pieces. He treats each as if he's putting his own together.
A violin is a perfect balance of science, craft and art, Schneider said. The science involves the physics of how an instrument works and vibrates, the craft is how it's put together, and the art is in the beauty of the instrument.
"If any one of these three gets out of balance, you have an instrument that's just not quite right," he said. "You might have a scientifically perfect-sounding instrument, but it's ugly looking, and some of them look really nice and are carved beautifully, but they don't sound well.
"In repair you have to take that into account to try to assess the qualities of that instrument the best you can and work with it."
Such specialized care and service has kept The Violin Shop going for more than 25 years in its Near South location. Customers come not only from Lincoln but from Omaha, Grand Island and even northern Kansas. Some have moved to other states but bring their violins back for repair when they return to Lincoln to visit.
The violin family continues to be a popular choice for musicians, Hultquist said. It's used in nearly every genre of music, and there's something about violin music that grabs him emotionally.
Ultimately, owning a violin shop isn't about the business, he said. It's about the music.
It's about putting a violin into the hands of budding young artists and watching them grow as musicians. It's about attending a concert and knowing you had a part in it.
Backtrack Records gets back into the game
Published in Directions 2008, a section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, Mar 2, 2008
Backtrack gives customers, both old and new, a place to find their vinyl... and more
After doing business exclusively on the Internet for seven years, Jeff Loos re-opened Backtrack Records, his vintage record retail store, in April.
Now former customers are finding their way to the tiny shop, tucked into a line of businesses on North Cotner Boulevard, and new patrons are discovering the fun of finding that special album.
Since re-opening, business has increased steadily, Loos said, surpassing sales at his former College View location, which he operated from 1988 to 2000.
Vinyl records are making a comeback across the country. Rhino Records, which was one of the first to stop selling records when CDs came out, has started pressing records again, along with other recording companies, such as Mobile Fidelity, Classic Records and Fantasy Records. Although still a small share of the market, total record sales were up 15.4 percent in 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The main appeal of vinyl, Loos said, is the warmer sound of analog recording versus the digital sound of CDs and downloads.
"Analog is basically a wavelength and no gaps," he said. "Digital is a sample; there's a gap between each piece of sound. People are finding that LPs are a bit warmer, and the sound if it's on a clean piece of vinyl can outdo a CD."
Turntables never went anywhere. There are millions of them out there, and now people are looking for something to play on them.
"I had a kid in here other day who inherited his dad's turntable, and he was amazed at the quality of vinyl because he never really understood it before. Now he's playing some of his dad's records, and he's in here buying records."
Some collect vinyl as a hobby or investment, but most of his customers are interested in the music itself, Loos said. They like finding albums that aren't available anywhere else, and they appreciate the value.
Most records at Backtrack Records sell for $1 to $10 each. Those who prefer digital files can use a newer turntable with a USB port to transfer the music to MP3 or CD format.
Other customers pay more than $30 for new half-speed master records. A local group meets to play those high-end quality recordings on old-fashioned "tube amps." Enthusiasts say the sound quality is worth the wait for the glowing tubes to warm up.
Loos re-opened the retail store because he missed the customers. He's on first-name basis with many of the regulars, and his shop is often a gathering place, where patrons listen to tunes and relive the memories the music brings back.
"Customers always surprise you," he said. "I haven't seen someone for seven years and they walk in the door and say, 'Wow! Glad you're back open. I'm still playing records.' That kind of blows you away, not seeing somebody for a while and have them come in and they still have their turntable."
Chris Callahan, a librarian at Bennet Martin Public Library, remembers September 1988, when he first stepped into Backtrack Records at the College View location. He soon became a regular at the store and collected several thousand records. He was excited when he found out the store had reopened. He said every visit renewed old memories, and he likes finding music that isn't available anywhere else.
Blake Smith visits Backtrack Records about once a week and usually starts by checking out the "New Arrivals" section. He started collecting records a couple of years ago because he "needed a hobby." He's collected about 700 so far.
At 25, most of his friends are "confused" by his hobby, he said, and ask why he doesn't just buy a CD or download the music. But the fun is in the hunt, Smith said.
"It's kind of like people who hunt animals," he said. "You could just go to the store and buy the food you want - I could just go to the Internet and find a record - but it's fun when you find something you want that's in excellent condition."
Loos' customers are loyal, he said, because he carefully chooses which records to purchase, inspecting each for scratches and warping. He also guarantees everything he sells.
Vintage records is a niche market, and Loos is quick to emphasize that he's dependent on people bringing in those old records. He's always looking to buy record collections and offers cash or trade for clean, quality records. In addition to new and used vinyl, Loos buys and sells posters, tapes, CDs and DVDs, and takes turntables on consignment.
Although he focuses on classic rock from the '60s and '70s, Loos carries music from almost every genre. About 15,000 records are crammed into the 900-square-foot store, and the walls of the narrow shop are covered with posters, album covers, picture records and other nostalgia.
Backtrack gives customers, both old and new, a place to find their vinyl... and more
After doing business exclusively on the Internet for seven years, Jeff Loos re-opened Backtrack Records, his vintage record retail store, in April.
Now former customers are finding their way to the tiny shop, tucked into a line of businesses on North Cotner Boulevard, and new patrons are discovering the fun of finding that special album.
Since re-opening, business has increased steadily, Loos said, surpassing sales at his former College View location, which he operated from 1988 to 2000.
Vinyl records are making a comeback across the country. Rhino Records, which was one of the first to stop selling records when CDs came out, has started pressing records again, along with other recording companies, such as Mobile Fidelity, Classic Records and Fantasy Records. Although still a small share of the market, total record sales were up 15.4 percent in 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The main appeal of vinyl, Loos said, is the warmer sound of analog recording versus the digital sound of CDs and downloads.
"Analog is basically a wavelength and no gaps," he said. "Digital is a sample; there's a gap between each piece of sound. People are finding that LPs are a bit warmer, and the sound if it's on a clean piece of vinyl can outdo a CD."
Turntables never went anywhere. There are millions of them out there, and now people are looking for something to play on them.
"I had a kid in here other day who inherited his dad's turntable, and he was amazed at the quality of vinyl because he never really understood it before. Now he's playing some of his dad's records, and he's in here buying records."
Some collect vinyl as a hobby or investment, but most of his customers are interested in the music itself, Loos said. They like finding albums that aren't available anywhere else, and they appreciate the value.
Most records at Backtrack Records sell for $1 to $10 each. Those who prefer digital files can use a newer turntable with a USB port to transfer the music to MP3 or CD format.
Other customers pay more than $30 for new half-speed master records. A local group meets to play those high-end quality recordings on old-fashioned "tube amps." Enthusiasts say the sound quality is worth the wait for the glowing tubes to warm up.
Loos re-opened the retail store because he missed the customers. He's on first-name basis with many of the regulars, and his shop is often a gathering place, where patrons listen to tunes and relive the memories the music brings back.
"Customers always surprise you," he said. "I haven't seen someone for seven years and they walk in the door and say, 'Wow! Glad you're back open. I'm still playing records.' That kind of blows you away, not seeing somebody for a while and have them come in and they still have their turntable."
Chris Callahan, a librarian at Bennet Martin Public Library, remembers September 1988, when he first stepped into Backtrack Records at the College View location. He soon became a regular at the store and collected several thousand records. He was excited when he found out the store had reopened. He said every visit renewed old memories, and he likes finding music that isn't available anywhere else.
Blake Smith visits Backtrack Records about once a week and usually starts by checking out the "New Arrivals" section. He started collecting records a couple of years ago because he "needed a hobby." He's collected about 700 so far.
At 25, most of his friends are "confused" by his hobby, he said, and ask why he doesn't just buy a CD or download the music. But the fun is in the hunt, Smith said.
"It's kind of like people who hunt animals," he said. "You could just go to the store and buy the food you want - I could just go to the Internet and find a record - but it's fun when you find something you want that's in excellent condition."
Loos' customers are loyal, he said, because he carefully chooses which records to purchase, inspecting each for scratches and warping. He also guarantees everything he sells.
Vintage records is a niche market, and Loos is quick to emphasize that he's dependent on people bringing in those old records. He's always looking to buy record collections and offers cash or trade for clean, quality records. In addition to new and used vinyl, Loos buys and sells posters, tapes, CDs and DVDs, and takes turntables on consignment.
Although he focuses on classic rock from the '60s and '70s, Loos carries music from almost every genre. About 15,000 records are crammed into the 900-square-foot store, and the walls of the narrow shop are covered with posters, album covers, picture records and other nostalgia.
Hark, Hear the Bells
Published in Prime Time, a section of the Lincoln Journal-Star, January 29, 2008
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Jan 29, 2008. Used with permission.
Gramercy Hill Bell Choir keeps music ringing
There's nothing quite like the music of a bell choir. And there are few bell choirs like this one.
For about 20 years the bell choir at Gramercy Hill Retirement Community has delighted audiences, playing primarily for local senior care facilities. But its performance venues have included some glitzy locations as well, such as the Governor's Mansion and Omaha's Orpheum Theater.
Fourteen women make up the current bell choir, said director Patty Carlson. One group reads music and plays traditional bell choir arrangements in harmony.
The other group uses a method called "direct cue," in which the director points to the individuals when it's their turn to ring. With direct cue, the choir plays the melody line only and is usually accompanied by recorded music. This method works well for those who never learned to read music or those who can no longer see well enough to follow the notes, Carlson said.
While most bell choirs stand, the Gramercy group plays seated at a long table. Some members use walkers. One uses a wheelchair. One needs a white cane to find her way to the table and watches carefully to see when the director points to her, because she can see only shadows.
The group plays mostly '40s and '50s hits, folk songs, hymns, patriotic numbers and Christmas carols. "I try to find music they're familiar with," Carlson said.
The bell choir was started in 1988 by Nancy Tinean, who was then the activity director at Gramercy Hill. Residents helped raise money for the bells through craft sales and donations.
Nancy Nemec became activity director in 1989 and led the bell choir until 2000. It was "uncanny," she recalls, how important the bell choir was to its members, something you can't really understand unless you're involved.
"There's something about music that brings people together, and there's something about a bell choir that's different because of the interdependence," she said. "It's like every person is a key on the piano, and if one of the keys is missing, you can't make music. In a band, everybody plays all the notes, and if something's gone, you just kind of go on. In a chorus, it all still happens, even when someone's missing. But in a bell choir, because no one else is going to play your note, it's just missing."
Nemec recalls how the choir traveled a hundred-mile radius around Lincoln, playing for churches, parties and other gatherings as well as senior care facilities. One Christmas they performed 13 times. They were the featured choir for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers national convention, where they played on stage at the Orpheum, using the direct cue method accompanied by grand piano. Nemec remembers turning around and seeing the audience in tears, visibly moved by what the group was doing.
The bell choir allows seniors to continue making music, Nemec said. "Your voice cracks, your fingers won't play a trumpet anymore, you try to play the piano and it's hard, but this let people play into their late 90s without a problem," she said.
Some members would be aging to the point where they did very little, Nemec said, but they still played their bells. A group like this gives people a reason to get out of their rooms, a reason to get together with others, a reason to get dressed up and go out and perform.
At 96, Mary Ann Hill can no longer play the piano, but she enjoys working together with others in the bell choir to create beautiful music. She's played in both the traditional and the direct cue choir for six years. "It's relaxing to me," she said. "I can just let loose."
"I think it's good for us older people, to keep the cobwebs out," said Margaret Bullickson, 83, who has played in the traditional bell choir for three years. Although she doesn't have any musical background and can't remember even hearing a bell choir before she moved to Gramercy Hill, she found it easy to learn to read the music because each individual's notes are marked. She appreciates the fellowship with other members and the music itself. Sometimes she comes early to listen to the cued group practice. And it's always a good feeling to hear the audience applaud and express their appreciation.
Maxine Wolf, 86, said the most satisfying audiences are the Alzheimer's patients. She recalls playing for the Alzheimer's section at the Arbors. When they played the traditional hymns and familiar old songs such as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the residents began singing along. "It seemed to bring back memories for them," she said.
Choir members agree the best part of being in a choir is the fellowship with other members. Director Patty Carlson enjoys the camaraderie as much as the members do. "I've never met a more delightful group of people to work with," she said. "Music is such an individual thing, and it's such a joy to share my love of music with them."
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Jan 29, 2008. Used with permission.
Gramercy Hill Bell Choir keeps music ringing
There's nothing quite like the music of a bell choir. And there are few bell choirs like this one.
For about 20 years the bell choir at Gramercy Hill Retirement Community has delighted audiences, playing primarily for local senior care facilities. But its performance venues have included some glitzy locations as well, such as the Governor's Mansion and Omaha's Orpheum Theater.
Fourteen women make up the current bell choir, said director Patty Carlson. One group reads music and plays traditional bell choir arrangements in harmony.
The other group uses a method called "direct cue," in which the director points to the individuals when it's their turn to ring. With direct cue, the choir plays the melody line only and is usually accompanied by recorded music. This method works well for those who never learned to read music or those who can no longer see well enough to follow the notes, Carlson said.
While most bell choirs stand, the Gramercy group plays seated at a long table. Some members use walkers. One uses a wheelchair. One needs a white cane to find her way to the table and watches carefully to see when the director points to her, because she can see only shadows.
The group plays mostly '40s and '50s hits, folk songs, hymns, patriotic numbers and Christmas carols. "I try to find music they're familiar with," Carlson said.
The bell choir was started in 1988 by Nancy Tinean, who was then the activity director at Gramercy Hill. Residents helped raise money for the bells through craft sales and donations.
Nancy Nemec became activity director in 1989 and led the bell choir until 2000. It was "uncanny," she recalls, how important the bell choir was to its members, something you can't really understand unless you're involved.
"There's something about music that brings people together, and there's something about a bell choir that's different because of the interdependence," she said. "It's like every person is a key on the piano, and if one of the keys is missing, you can't make music. In a band, everybody plays all the notes, and if something's gone, you just kind of go on. In a chorus, it all still happens, even when someone's missing. But in a bell choir, because no one else is going to play your note, it's just missing."
Nemec recalls how the choir traveled a hundred-mile radius around Lincoln, playing for churches, parties and other gatherings as well as senior care facilities. One Christmas they performed 13 times. They were the featured choir for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers national convention, where they played on stage at the Orpheum, using the direct cue method accompanied by grand piano. Nemec remembers turning around and seeing the audience in tears, visibly moved by what the group was doing.
The bell choir allows seniors to continue making music, Nemec said. "Your voice cracks, your fingers won't play a trumpet anymore, you try to play the piano and it's hard, but this let people play into their late 90s without a problem," she said.
Some members would be aging to the point where they did very little, Nemec said, but they still played their bells. A group like this gives people a reason to get out of their rooms, a reason to get together with others, a reason to get dressed up and go out and perform.
At 96, Mary Ann Hill can no longer play the piano, but she enjoys working together with others in the bell choir to create beautiful music. She's played in both the traditional and the direct cue choir for six years. "It's relaxing to me," she said. "I can just let loose."
"I think it's good for us older people, to keep the cobwebs out," said Margaret Bullickson, 83, who has played in the traditional bell choir for three years. Although she doesn't have any musical background and can't remember even hearing a bell choir before she moved to Gramercy Hill, she found it easy to learn to read the music because each individual's notes are marked. She appreciates the fellowship with other members and the music itself. Sometimes she comes early to listen to the cued group practice. And it's always a good feeling to hear the audience applaud and express their appreciation.
Maxine Wolf, 86, said the most satisfying audiences are the Alzheimer's patients. She recalls playing for the Alzheimer's section at the Arbors. When they played the traditional hymns and familiar old songs such as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the residents began singing along. "It seemed to bring back memories for them," she said.
Choir members agree the best part of being in a choir is the fellowship with other members. Director Patty Carlson enjoys the camaraderie as much as the members do. "I've never met a more delightful group of people to work with," she said. "Music is such an individual thing, and it's such a joy to share my love of music with them."
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