About the Series:
Curious Nebraska is producer Andy Hermann's quest to figure out what makes Nebraska, Nebraska.
Hear it every third Saturday of the month during Weekend Edition... at 7:35 a.m. CT and 9:35 a.m. CT.
Got a Curiosity?
You can also submit story ideas by emailing Curious Nebraska.
Episode 6: 1733 Miles to Kearney
Is the legend true? Is Kearney the Midway City... the exact center of the United States?
Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann looks into this claim that Kearney has held since the late-1880s.
Guests, in order of appearance:
- David Bristow, editor, Nebraska History Magazine ("Kearney, Nebraska's 1733 Identity");
- John Arnold, travel counselor, Kearney Welcome Center; and
- John Bauer, professor of geography, University of Nebraska at Kearney ("1,733 Miles from Where?").
Music: "Kearney City Anthem!" by The Guy Who Sings Songs About Cities & Towns.
Additional audio: President Clinton's Univ. of Nebraska Speech - A Foreign Policy for the Global Age (2000), Courtesy; William J. Clinton Presidential Library.
Episode 5: Glur's Tavern
Glur's Tavern is not only the oldest tavern in Nebraska, it's the oldest continuously operating tavern west of the Missouri River. It contains lots of history... history that connects from the Old West to the present day.
Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann has the story of the tavern with connections to the Old West.
Guests, in order of appearance:
- Cathy Hoops, granddaughter of Louis Glur;
- Cheri Schrader, executive director, Platte County Historical Society; and
- Todd Trofholz, former owner, Glur's Tavern.
Episode 4: Ranch Dressing
Ranch is now the most popular salad dressing in the country. But it's more than a dressing... it's a condiment... it's almost a lifestyle. And it was invented by a Nebraska native!
Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann gets the story and visits with Nebraskans keeping the tradition alive.
Guests, in order of appearance:
- Holly Mastelotto, granddaughter of Steve Henson, founder of Hidden Valley Ranch (Sparks, Nev.);
- Angie Dowd, owner, Dreisbach’s Salad Dressings and The Chocolate Bar (Grand Island, Neb.);
- Marcia Harner, creator, the Country Neighbor restaurant's Country Sweet Onion and Ranch Sweet Onion dressings (Burwell, Neb.); and
- Todd Baker, owner/operator, Baker’s Candies and Nebraska Sandhills Dressings (Greenwood, Neb.).
Episode 3: Scoop or Shovel?
What do you do when snow falls on your driveway? If you ask Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann, he shovels it. But over time, he picks up words and phrases depending on where he's living at the time. Does this mean he'll be scooping the snow next time it falls?
Guests, in order of appearance:
- Cicely Wardyn (Lincoln, Neb.);
- Barb Bierman-Batie, freelance writer and photographer (Lexington, Neb.); and
- Matthew Gordon, professor of English, University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.).
Episode 2: Wool in Nebraska
When you think of agriculture in Nebraska... you think of corn, cows and... sheep... right?
Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann finds inspiration for getting warm in this cold season. He visits three wool-working facilities in the state and learns about much more than hats and sweaters.
Guests, in order of appearance:
- Andrew Wells, Brown Sheep Company (Mitchell, Neb.);
- Kelsey Quandt, The Fiber Mill (Stromsburg, Neb.);
- Megan Landes-Murphy, Kestrel Ridge Pellet Company (Lawrence, Neb.); and
- Robert Wells, Brown Sheep Company (Mitchell, Neb.).
Episode 1: Red Beer
Nebraska Public Media debuts Curious Nebraska... producer Andy Hermann's quest to figure out what makes Nebraska, Nebraska!
This episode is about red beer and why Nebraskans love it.
Guests, in order of appearance:
- Travis Langford, owner of The Grapevine Bar;
- Brianna Stai, assistant manager at Tank's Bar and Guitars; and
- Andrew Rasmussen, affiliate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL fermentation science story).