Nebraska Stories Episode 807: Story Connection

Happy last full of week of February in Nebraska. Our fine state which featured Monday temperatures of almost 80 and Friday with a potential blizzard. With the wet weather, tonight is a perfect night to snuggle under blankets and watch the latest episode of Nebraska Stories on Nebraska Educational Television. If you are unable to watch tonight, you can always see the segments on the Nebraska Stories site. As of today, four of them are featured on the front page, and if you search “stone,” you will find the 5th segments. This week’s theme seems to be “connection” – to the past and to telling the stories.

“Earning His Stripes” profiles one of the top NCAA basketball referees in the country – John Higgins of Omaha. Basketball was always an connection point between Higgins and his Dad, a former basketball coach. Being a major March Madness fan, I do recognize this referee. Making the call in a game is definitely challenging, and the sport needs competent people to do just that. How fun that one of the top refs is from this state!
“O’Pie & Beers” mixes craft beer with the writings of Willa Cather and her young fans. This must have been a fun event to attend. Although after watching the clip, I am not certain that I am familiar with enough Cather references to be able to catch all of their “inside jokes.” Cather is one author that literally put Nebraska on the map. Always fun to learn more about her.
“Libraries of Stone” explores the struggle to preserve Nebraska’s rural pioneer cemeteries and what preservationists and local citizens are doing to keep them from disappearing. Being the granddaughter of a rural Nebraska farmer, I can see both sides of the plights of these past burial grounds. I am glad that historians are making a modern day connection allowing people to make a connection to the past. Walking through cemeteries does provide an unusual peek into the past.
“The Cards You Are Dealt” introduces former gang member and emerging visual artist Fredy Rincon of Omaha. While Rincon is not the man he once was, his art provides a visual connection to his past. Fresh starts are always inspiring. His visual voice is unique.
“Indie Voices: Mesonjixx” from Chadron State Park as Hear Nebraska presents the music of Mesonjixx. This is another Nebraska indie group that I had not heard about before. Make a connection to the Mesonjixx group and can hear their first single release, as well as see a list of their upcoming concerts.