Nebraska Stories Season 8 premieres tonight.   Honestly this is as exciting to me as the opening episodes of the few network shows that I watch.  Nebraska Stories is definitely one of my favorite programs to watch!

Just like last year, I am partnering up with NET to provide you with a bit of a Nebraska Stories episode preview each week.  The bulleted points is the information provided directly from their episode guide with the italicized notes coming from me.    As always, the stories are diverse and include both historical and current events.  If you are unable to watch the show tonight, you can watch the segments on demand on their website.

  • The DeWitty Settlement” near Brownlee was the longest lasting, most successful black settlement in Nebraska. Descendants of DeWitty and Brownlee gathered to celebrate their shared history during the recent dedication ceremony for a new state historical marker commemorating the settlement. When people take pride in their own personal history, it is a beautiful site to see.  The fact that this monument commemorates a thriving community rather than a tragic event is definitely a bonus. What else is fascinating is that a writer knew that there was more to the story than was being told. 
  • Cosmic Films” in Lyons is a film studio owned by resident Bill Hedges. He converted the town’s movie theater into a world of futuristic sets where he plans to shoot a sci-fi series co-starring his cat.  This man is highly creative.  And he definitely could be right.  A movie about a cat in space seems to be a video series that the crazy internet world would enjoy!
  • Pellet of Poison” on the Omaha Indian Reservation (near Walthill) explores the intertwining of two remarkable women — the first Native American doctor and a Nobel Prize winning scientist. In 1915, Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte was dying of cancer and the famous Madame Curie sent a special package from France to the reservation for her. I would have never predicted this renowned scientist having such a connection to Nebraska.  Dr. Picotte is inspirational in her own right. 
  • Play Me I’m Yours” in Omaha celebrates a mix of art and music as artists decorate pianos which were rolled out around the city, resulting in impromptu street concerts.  This public art project is such a wonderful idea.  I still regret not heading up to Omaha to play on one of these artistic pianos.  Thank you to Kim at Oh My! Omaha for letting me use her image.  She is the one who first introduced me to these pianos several years ago.  I am quite glad that Nebraska Stories filmed this segment while the art event was taking place.

To find out more about some of the upcoming stories that will be featured throughout all of Nebraska Stories Season 8, please click on the link below …

Nebraska Stories Season 8 premier

Author: neodyssey

My name is Gretchen Garrison. I started this blog about Nebraska in 2013. So far, I have written three books about Nebraska and Lincoln.