For Immediate Release
‘Nebraska Stories’ Features Welsh Immigrants, Mysterious Masks and A Tiny Courthouse
LINCOLN, Neb. (March 21, 2024) – Stories in four April episodes of “Nebraska Stories” include a Nebraska transplant from Michigan who finds parallels between his own journey and those who came from Wales to Wymore; a collection of 69 masks that border on bizarre; and a tiny courthouse featured on Ripley’s “Believe it or Not.”
Episodes of the award-winning, local television series premiere at 8 p.m. CT, Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18 & 25 on Nebraska Public Media.
On April 4, a new Nebraskan discovers the community of Wymore and learns about the Welsh history of the people and the town. Also, Grammy-nominated composer Andy Akiho creates a groundbreaking orchestral work commissioned by the Omaha Symphony in honor of husband-and-wife artists Jun and Ree Kaneko.
The April 11 episode reveals masks that are a little bit playful and a little bit spooky. Layering craft paper and adhesive, Nebraska artist Doane Powell sculpted caricatures and realistic likenesses of famous and infamous figures during the 1940s and 50s. After years of deterioration, the Ford Conservation Center restored the masks, placing them in the collection of the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln.
Also on April 11, a thriving North Platte business sells hats with leather patches made from game-used footballs and a Lincoln vocal entrepreneur turns a love of beatboxing into a full-fledged career.
On April 18, a visual montage of the four seasons along the Platte River features newly commissioned chamber music by Kansas City composer Kurt Knecht. The episode also takes viewers to see other Nebraska landscapes, including Robber’s Cave near Lincoln, Sowbelly Canyon near Harrison and the Wildcat Hills in western Nebraska.
The April 25 episode tells the story of a Hastings non-profit where teens with disabilities come after school to study, socialize and learn life skills and a tiny courthouse in Arthur that was built in 1914 and could be the smallest in the world.
The masterful storytellers who collaberate on “Nebraska Stories” serve as the modern archivists of Nebraska’s stories – both present and past. Enjoyed by viewers across the state for its feature-based, character-driven storytelling, “Nebraska Stories” covers art, science, history, sports, performance, nature and more.
New episodes repeat Fridays at 7:30 p.m. CT on Nebraska Public Media.
“Nebraska Stories” is funded in part by The Margaret and Martha Thomas Foundation and the Bill Harris and MarySue Hormel Harris Fund for the Presentation of Cultural Programming.
The series is also funded in part by the Nebraska Soybean Board, the Nebraska Tourism Commission, Phelps Memorial Health Center and TeamMates Mentoring Program.
“Nebraska Stories” is on Facebook, at NebraskaPublicMedia.org/nebraskastories and on the Nebraska Public Media App.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Rogers, 402-470-6512
About Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.