Written in Wax and More

Written in Wax Pysanky is a form of batik painting on eggs where layers of wax are applied in stages between dyes. Intricately decorated, the pysanky eggs often carry symbolism. The ancient practice originated in Ukraine and the oldest existing pysanky is a 500-year-old goose egg. Explore this traditional art form with artist Darla Novoty, who has practiced and taught it for years. Across the Tracks The annual football game between two Grand Island middle schools may be the longest-running junior high rivalry in the state. Located in the same part of town and divided by a single railroad track, the Walnut Wildcats and the Barr Bulldogs first faced off in 1925. A century-old tradition embraced by the community, our story on the Barr-Walnut game traces how this middle school matchup became an enduring part of the town’s history. A Quilt of Honor Fate propelled Caroline Boston into an extraordinary life for a woman of her time. When her husband was gravely wounded during the Civil War, she left the comforts of home and her children to care for him, becoming a nurse to the Union’s wounded. She was one of 20,000 women, both Black and white, who answered that call. Later in life, she undertook a remarkable act of remembrance, embroidering the names of 318 Union veterans of the American Civil War, from formerly enslaved men to a sitting American president. Many quilts endure while the names of their makers are lost to time. In this case, that story is different. Because of family records, we know her name—and through it, the hands and history behind the work. Saving Sacred Seeds Omaha tribal member and Cherokee citizen Taylor Keen is on a mission to preserve Indigenous heirloom seeds of the upper Missouri River region. As the founder of Sacred Seeds, he leads a grassroots effort to help tribal communities grow, share, and care for their traditional seeds, especially the “Four Sisters” (corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers), keeping them strong for generations to come. Chimney Rock Chimney Rock, a towering sandstone spire rising 470 feet above the North Platte River Valley, has long been an iconic landmark for travelers and Indigenous Peoples alike, guiding Native Americans and over half a million emigrants heading westward in the 19th century. Although erosion has reduced its height by 80 feet, Chimney Rock remains an enduring symbol of the American West. Though now 80 feet shorter due to erosion, it remains a vital part of the landscape. Frequently mentioned in emigrant diaries, it stood as a beacon of progress and hope. Today, as a National Historic Landmark, it draws visitors worldwide, offering new walking trails across its protected site, allowing a closer connection to this natural and historical wonder.