Life + Culture

Instilling Wonder and Awe

Returning to a Simpler Summer Inspired by Nature Article by Amy Hendrickson In our world today, we often get wrapped up in the busyness of life happening before our eyes. Our calendars fill with commitments as we’re trying to squeeze in laundry and house projects throughout the week before another busy weekend consumes us. It’s easy to turn to the digital world to keep children occupied. We forget that a child’s sense of wonder doesn’t require a WI-FI connection or an elaborate vacation to...

Professional Services

Prograde Exteriors

Peace of Mind After the Storm Article by Janette Calabro | Photography by Bobbi Jo Beaver When severe weather rolls through the Midwest, homeowners sometimes focus on what they can see—missing shingles, damaged gutters, or dents in the siding. But for the owner and operator of Prograde Exteriors, Juan Castrejon, storm recovery is about much more than replacing a roof. Now celebrating six years in business, Castrejon remains deeply involved in the company's day-to-day operations, helping...

Education

A Healthy Home for a New Season

Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips from John Henry's for a Comfortable, More Efficient Home Photography by Provided As the heat of the summer is upon us, the comfort and safety of your home remains a top priority for John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical. Keeping your HVAC system in peak condition is a year-round commitment that ensures your family's well-being. John Henry’s provides a fresh checklist for maintaining an efficient and healthy home environment this summer. The...

Life + Culture

More Than a Walk in the Park

Halleck Park is a Place to Walk, Play, and Explore Article by Kathy Nickerson | Photography by Lori Conklin Last fall, a walk in the park turned into a medical emergency for Papillion resident Lori Conklin. She lives near Halleck Park and often goes there to take photos. On that November morning, though, Conklin suddenly passed out on the sidewalk.  Once she regained consciousness, Conklin managed to drive to the emergency room. (She agrees with the doctor who told her she should probably...

Entertainment

Fifty Years Underwater

Papillion's Pat Purkhiser Shows Nebraskans the World Beneath the Waves Article by Vince Mancuso | Photography by Bobbi Jo Beaver Papillion's Pat Purkhiser has spent the last 50 years fulfilling his childhood passion. What surprised him, however, was how many others from Nebraska wanted to dive in alongside him—whether through Diventures, the Henry Doorly Zoo through the Papillon LaVista Zoo Academy, or countless underwater adventures. "It’s unreal how many people in Omaha are interested in...

Real Estate

New Chapter, Same Community

We sat down with Leanne Sotak, realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Ambassador Real Estate, to talk about “right-sizing,” especially in a community like Papillion where residents rarely want to leave. For more than two decades, Leanne has helped buyers and sellers navigate one of life’s biggest decisions: finding the right place to call home through every stage of homeownership.“We’re all always going through a ‘right-sizing’ process, whether you’re starting your own family, you’re a first-time...

Style + Beauty

New York to Nebraska

Jerry Kaye Offers Men's Clothing Crafted in Italy with an American Design Article by Kathy Nickerson | Photography by Joseph Saaid One Sunday morning, during his first year of college, Jerry Kaye woke up bruised and battered from a college football game and had a moment of clarity. “Forget this,” he said. “I’m gonna make dresses.” A first-generation American who grew up in South Detroit, Kaye felt the influence of his European heritage. He loved architecture and art. He noticed costumes in...

Sports + Recreation

Built to Ride

The Story Behind Walnut Creek’s Community-built Mountain Bike Trail Article by Vince Mancuso | Photography by Amy Hendrickson Papillion’s Walnut Creek Recreation Area is home to a mountain bike trail system not built by a developer or city, but by the people who ride it. What started as an informal path is now one of the area’s most accessible, community-driven mountain bike trails, thanks in large part to volunteers like Jeff Schram, a longtime Papillion resident. While originally riding...

Health + Wellness

Empowering Men Through Integrative Care

A Men’s Health Q&A with Dr. Roni Hargis and Colin McDermott of Synergy Integrative Health Article by Janette Calabro | Photography by Bobbi Jo Beaver        At Synergy Integrative Health in La Vista, wellness is never a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s personal. Founder, Dr. Roni Hargis, DNP, FNP-C, received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Creighton University. Colin McDermott, APRN, FNP-C, received his master's degree from Simmons University in Boston, MA. Together, they have two decades...

Food + Beverage

A Combination of Canvas and Crumbs

Welcome to Papillion’s Edible Art Studio Article by Kathy Nickerson | Photography by Provided Audelia (Audi) Orellana always wanted to be a wife and mother, but she also loved crafting, baking, and expressing herself as an entrepreneur. Originally from Las Vegas, Orellana met her future husband while in Omaha for a work trip. “I knew I didn’t want to raise kids in Las Vegas,” she says. “So, I moved.”  The motherhood dream came true with a full house of four sons, and in 2017, she started...