A Place to be Ourselves and More | Nebraska Stories | Nebraska Public Media

A Place to Be Ourselves
Second-grade teacher and mom, Adeline Johnson, has a disabled teen daughter who, like all teens, wanted a place to hang out with friends. When Adeline discovered daycares in her community do not typically take children over the age of 12, the busy mom got a little busier when she decided to create a community nonprofit in her very limited spare time. She created Our Place, an innovative non-profit where teens with disabilities can come after school to further their academic studies and learn social and life skills. It’s the first nonprofit of its kind in Nebraska.
Pint-Sized Justice
Established in 1914 and operational until 1961, Arthur boasts what Ripley’s “Believe it or Not” recognized as the smallest courthouse in the world. The 26 by 28-foot courthouse showcases distinctive artifacts dating back to the 1920s. A tiny jail was constructed a year later using two by fours, comprised of two rooms and a solitary confinement cell.
Nebraska Star Party
It’s a celestial celebration like no other in the country. The 25th year of the Nebraska Star Party welcomed people from all over the country to Merritt Reservoir, a certified International Dark Sky Park. Located in rural Valentine, young and old, novices and veteran stargazers gathered to witness the night sky as it was seen before the invention of the lightbulb.
Kearney Goes to War Kearney
During World War II, thousands of people came to Kearney for training before leaving for combat in Europe and the Pacific. The Kearney Army Airfield, a nearly forgotten airfield built in 1942, served as the base for this war effort. Kearney was forever changed by the influx of military personnel and played an important role in Nebraska’s contribution to the war effort.