Papillion Area Community Theater: Hunchback of Notre Dame

 I had a fun night at the Sum Tur Amphitheater watching Hunchback of Notre Dame.  The acting and singing was all very good.  My only critcism is that it was a bit too loud at times.  Set pieces moved throughout the show in a coordinated way making it so there was no need for scene stops.  This is my first introduction to Papillion Area Community Theater, Papillion Area Community Choir, Papillion Area orchestra.  The choir was on stage beneath or on the balcony.  The on stage actors were good, including the ensemble.  Joey Westerdale did a very good job as Quasimodo.  He changed on stage adding a hunchback as he performed.  It was well done.  All the songs from the Disney movie were there.  

Murals of Geneseo

 I got to Geneseo after dark.  It was too late to find all the murals.  I understand there are five or six of them.  I did see a bust of President Lincoln, the history museum and one mural.

Elkhart Ice Cream Parlor: Vanilla Bean Creamery

 Vanilla Bean Creamery is on Main Street in Elkhart.  They have very good ice cream at a reasonable price; a scoop is 3.69 and two scoops $5.  I had a peanut butter cup (Elk Tracks) and lemon ice cream.  They do not have ices or sherbets.  The boys with me all had cookies and creams.  

Bellevue Restaurant Review: Raising Canes ©

 Canes is on Cornhusker, just a bit east of the 75.  It is a chain restaurant with about 1000 stores.  They do not franchise but all their stores are run by the corporation.  They specialize in chicken fingers and make their own sauce.  There sauce is advertised as tangy and peppery.  I thought it had too much vinegar? or something for my tasted.  The also make Texas toast, but I did not get any as didn't like it at Dairy Queen.  They also make cole slaw as a side but not my favorite either.  The redeeming factor with Canes is that their chicken fingers are very good.  They have a very nice crust and are very juicy.  They have crinklycut fries.  I like crinkly cut friens but they were under done.  

Wicked at the Orpheum, Omaha

 I love Wic ked.  Miranda got tickts and I went with four women, Charity and two granddaughters, and Miranda.  We parked in a garage and crossed the skywalk to the theater.  We had very good seats in the balcony.  We could see everything.  The highlight of the evening was the song For Good.  I love that song.  Several other songs are also very good, but that is my favorite.  We had a great night.

Southwest Alpaca Tours, Kingman AZ

These pictures document two trips to the alpaca farm, with two different groups of grandchildren.  First group we haave Jeremy and kids and Mark and kids.

 When a different group of grandchildren visited it prompted another visit to the Alpaca farm.  Kids love feeding the alpaca and watching their antics.  Hayley was a bit fearful at first but she warmed up to the alpaca and fed them lots of leaves outside.  We had four families, Annie and Caleb, Sheri and I with Tony, Charity with kids and Natalia and Ayden.

USAF Heartland of America Band at Sum Tur Amphitheater

 I went to the concert at Sum Tur a couple days before the Fourth.  It was a bit hot, and then a bit buggy but the music was good and I enjoyed myself.  Sum Tur is an outdoor venue.  At first I sat on the grass, but moved down to a seat towards the end of the program.  The band had a total of nine musicians.  They had three brass musicians who did not play with them every song.  However the core band did with bass, guitar, keyboar and drum and two vocalists.  

Exotic Birds at Linton Enchanted Garden

 Among everything else at Linton Garden are a few birds to enjoy.

Fourth of July 2026

 Fourth of July started with the ward breakfast.  It was at a home this year, changed from a park due to weather.  The weather was pretty bad so I had to go alone.  I was helping with the music.  We sang a couple patriotic songs.  The weather cleared for juwt long enough to get breakfast in; Pancakes and lots of raspberries.  However after the meal the rain came back.  Somebody said it would clear, but I was wet enough and didn't stay.  

We had the traditional Fourth of July meal at our house.  Sheri made a terrific potato salad.  Riley really enjoyed her corn on the cob.

Evening we all went to the Heartland Park for fireworks.  The concert from Gene Lehy Mall was piped over.  

                                                                     My Country Tis of Thee

The fireworks started as soon as the concert was over.  In fact the or chestra played through some of the fireworks.  

Fireworks at Omaha, Heartland Park

We concluded at Charity's for home fireworks.  We also had a nice view of the moon.  We got home close to midnight.