PART V

TO BETTER PREPARE FOR TOMORROW - A GREATER VISION . . .

1985 - 1995

Jeff Curtis wasn't too thrilled about it. He had been at the Home for about 5 years now, and here he was, on this warm spring morning, out on a part of the hilltop which to his memory had never been used, digging hundreds and hundreds of holes . . . What was taking place was the start of the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of The Omaha Home for Boys.

Arbor Day was near, the time when we celebrate the growing of trees which cover and shade the earth, thanks to that great Nebraskan, J. Sterling Morton.

Jeff Curtis had to do his part.

He was one of the ten or so boys selected by Jim Anderson of the Maintenance Department for this particular task.

The holes had to be dug, in even, clear rows, so that many hundreds of trees could be planted . . . it was the start of a tree nursery that would fill Inspiration Hill and the Cooper Farm campus for years to come.

Television cameras came to record this event, thanks to Board Member Joe Baker, and the 65th Anniversary was off and running . . .

Things were happening on many fronts. The Board of Directors had approved 2 projects which were to start later in this anniversary year, the building of a new residential cottage and the conversion of the Herd Cottage to an Education Center.

And those charged with the Home's weekend of activities in October were busy securing filmed messages of congratulations for the 65th anniversary - one of them from Vice President George Bush, thanks to help from U.S. Representative Hal Daub.

On the morning of Saturday, October 12, Charles Amidon - the Home's Executive Director for 10 years - was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Nebraska.

And later in the day, in a large banquet at Peony Park, hundreds gathered to celebrate this special day. They all received a new history book at their place setting - none had been undertaken since Wray Scott's 1970 book.

The Home's residents were on their best behavior that evening, and made quite an impression as they walked to their tables in the center of the room after buses brought them to Peony Park.

This is more like a celebration, Jeff Curtis must have thought.

After a fine meal the audiovisual salute to the Home, including messages from Vice President Bush, Masonic officials and local business and governmental figures, was enjoyed by all.

The next day, following luncheon in the Dining Hall, the newly installed Officers of the Grand Lodge conducted cornerstone ceremonies for a new residential cottage, which was placed on Bruner Drive close to 52nd Street.

Open House activities and appearances by the Strategic Air Command Band and the University of Nebraska Scarlet and Cream Singers capped off the events of a very busy weekend.

There was another special event in October, 1985, as well. The workers in the Maintenance Campaign - who had been raising funds for the boys every fall since 1926 - were hoping to reach the goal set for the first time in many a year.

On the final Report Night, spirits soared as the roll call of Team Captains brought the goal in reach.

$144 short after the last report was in! . . . one of the leaders, without saying a word, went to his billfold, and others followed suit - the Maintenance Campaign had achieved goal at last, and this started a streak of many years.

Work began immediately on the new residential cottage, whose architectural style maintained the same features of earlier cottages, while there were differences.

There were to be 6 rooms for the boys, with 2 to a room, rather than 4 rooms with 3 to a room in the other cottages, and a full kitchen and dining facilities were included as well.

Most of the meals would be eaten in the cottage, and not in the Dining Hall.

In 1986 the Board chose to name the cottage after departed executive Director Harry Bruner, as its funding had come from thousands of donors who responded to newsletter appeals and from endowed funds received by bequests.

The boys and houseparents from the Shrine Cottage eagerly awaited their move to the Bruner Cottage throughout 1986, and once posed in front of it with their dog Reagan as it neared completion.

One . . . sadly . . . would not make the move. A tumor was discovered in 16 year old James Conrad, and it proved inoperable. He left the Home to spend his last months in his hometown.

A year later many from the Home - boys, former boys and staff alike - attended James Conrad's funeral in Fremont, NE.

The move from the Shrine Cottage to the Bruner Cottage came in December, 1986, and this allowed the residents of the Herd Cottage to move to the Shrine - which signaled "full speed ahead" on conversion of the Herd to an Education Center.

Finally, there would be adequate space for the many tutoring and reading skills classes necessary, an expanded library, a computer center and an art room - a major improvement in the Home's program for the boys.

For, while the Home would maintain its strong Masonic tradition of support and attendance at public schools, individual tutoring and expanded opportunities for the boys were needed.

A grant from the James D. and Winifred E. Watson Trust, earmarked for educational and recreational projects at the Home, made possible the new Educational Center.

Both the Bruner Cottage and the Watson Education Center were dedicated in special ceremonies in 1987.

Also made available in 1987 was the end product of several weeks of work - and fun - in late 1986. The Home was approached by a video production firm about making a promotional film which could be shown in presentations to groups locally, and just as importantly could be easily sent to friends of the Home around the country.

It was 38 years after "TAD" and time to do it again!

More than 40 boys auditioned for the main speaking roles in the video - and all appeared in some part of the production. The 5 oldest boys who tried out - Shrine Cottage residents - came to the auditions with newly adopted "stage names" for the occasion.

Chosen by the film director for the 3 chief roles were 15 year old Travis Barclay from the Cooper Farm, 13 year old Ceasar Reyes of the Neef Cottage and 9 year old Dominique Tisdale of the Buck Cottage.

Floyd Kalber, a former Omaha newscaster and a member of the Home's Board of Trustees, provided the narration for the video from a studio at his Chicago television station.

Everyone had great fun as the camera (and microphone) went all over campus, to scenes which had been carefully planned and to some which just happened.

Many youth care workers and boys were interviewed on camera for possible use in the video . . . when Herd Cottage housefather Tom Causey said "If a boy learns nothing else from me, he's going to learn to care (about himself)", the film had its title.

"A TIME TO CARE" had its "premiere" in the Dining Hall, and while all enjoyed the 23 minute video itself, great laughter rang out when the "out-takes" - film which didn't make the final video - were shown.

There the audience saw that it took Joe Cuevas 5 or 6 times to start the Cooper Farm tractor before it didn't die on him . . . and Roger Rounds being attacked by the chicken as he gathered eggs . . . and little Mike Reyes answering a tutor's question "But that would be cheating!"

A second video was made 3 years later, "A TIME FOR PRIDE", which was the story of the Cooper Farm campus and the 4-H program.

Its narrator was Ed Young, who 4 decades earlier had earned a penny apiece for stuffing Christmas appeals in the basement of the Buck Cottage.

Together the two video productions became "The OHB Video Package" and they have been viewed in thousands of private homes, and before groups, in all corners of the United States.

Countless friendships were cemented, and new friendships made, as these video productions have traveled across the country . . . and one direct result was an article about the Home in the 600,000 circulation "New Age" magazine of the Scottish Rite.

The Watson Trust, which had funded the Education Center in 1987, was again utilized in 1988 when the Trust approved a new 4-H Training Facility for its next project.

The 60 foot by 180 foot building at the Cooper Farm includes an indoor arena, cattle stalls and a washing area - and it enable work with the animals all year round. It has spurred an increase in 4-H activities and participation - from that Saturday each February when the boys select their calves, and weigh ins take place, all the way to local fairs and the State Fair in late summer.

This building was dedicated September 18, 1988 - at which time Board Member John Furstenberg quipped that it was "the Hyatt Hotel for livestock in Douglas County".

Each year it has been made available for Douglas County 4-H activities, and for youth from other organizations, working in conjunction with the boys at the Home.

"In working with cattle, as in working with youth, every moment brings the potential of a lesson.

Every boy becomes a learner, every person a teacher, and every place a schoolroom. It is important in showing cattle that it is not the animal which is important. The animal is simply a visual aid. It is what is happening to the youth that makes the difference."
- WILLIAM CALDWELL, Superintendent of Nebraska 4-H, in remarks at the dedication on September 18, 1988.
Very important words . . . "It is what is happening to the youth that makes the difference . . .". In an effort to improve the quality of life training skills for the boys, the Board adopted the National Home Family Program in 1988, a much more structured manner by which the houseparents - those closest to the boys in their cottages - would work with their boys.

Other changes were in process as well.

Executive Director Charles Amidon announced in 1989 that he would retire in 1990, and Board President John Furstenberg was selected to eventually replace Mr. Amidon.

John Furstenberg became Associate Executive Director in early 1990, and Mr. Amidon announced his retirement date - July 1, 1990, 17 years after his date of employment with the Home.

The Home was nearing a crossroads in its existence . . . - it was well established on two beautiful locations in North Omaha - its quality of child care was second to none - nationwide direct mail fundraising generated the direct expenses for care for the boys - and just as importantly led to bequests which bolstered the Home's endowment fund.

Now, just as those visionary Board members of the late 1930's had decided that in order to build on the past, it was time to change for the future.

A map to chart the Home's course into the 21st century was necessary, so a Long Range Planning Task Force was created.

How big should the Home grow to be? Should girls be allowed in the Home? Should the Home remain in the same location? What new programs should be tried? Is there a better way to use facilities and resources?

All these, and other questions yet to be asked, were brought to the table in March, 1990, as this most significant process began.

Board members, staff and interested civic leaders with no tie to the Home were active in the process, and many Saturday morning sessions over the next several years were the result.

The work of the Home went on, but great plans were being made for the future . . .

Mr. Amidon's retirement took place in July, and on the next weekend he and his wife fulfilled a long dream - a ride in a hot air balloon.

The ride, a gift from the boys, started with an early morning launch which barely cleared the wires in back of the Herd Building and ended some time later as the balloon descended in Bellevue, NE just north of Offutt Air Base (which had been called as a precaution).

A vanload of boys and 2 staff members had followed the balloon on the ground and were on hand to welcome the Amidons down from their lofty ride.

In October another special anniversary - the 70th - was celebrated with a banquet at the Mutual of Omaha Dome.

Among the crowd were 12 boys and their dates . . . ready to be taken to the Homecoming Dance on conclusion of the meal.

Mr. Amidon was engaged as part-time Planned Giving Director for a while, and worked out of a small office on 72nd Street.

Special mailings about Wills and Gift Annuities were targeted to a portion of the mailing list for the first time, and the TWIG newsletter - now in full color - was expanded to 3 mailings a year.

The Long Range Planning process continued . . . Saturday morning meetings, including discussion, the consideration of alternatives . . . and challenges to Board and staff alike to reach out, to dream of the future, and to plan for better ways to do the job.

In 1992 a rather lengthy Mission Statement was replaced by a new one: "The mission of The Omaha Home for Boys is to support and strengthen youth and families".

There it was, an open ended statement which allowed a diversity of programs, and people served, for the future.

Change started immediately.

Home officials began to meet with representatives of Uta Halee Girls Village to discuss ways that, between the 2 organizations, a home providing psychiatric residential care for boys could be realized.

Uta Halee had the expertise and accreditation for this type of care - The Omaha Home for Boys had the location and the ability to fund such a project.

Cooper Village was born, on the grounds of the Cooper Farm.

It was a milestone in youth care, a model for the nation . . . 2 separate organizations combining forces, rather than working independently, to meet a need in youth care.

The boys at the cottage at Cooper Farm were moved to the Inspiration Hill campus, and 4-H activities would continue - even in expanded form - as the boys would be taken to the Farm in vans.

Another need, for a Transitional Living program, for young people past high school who have no family support system on which to fall back, was realized.

Following the sudden death of Board officer Warren L. "Pat" Jacobs in 1991, funds from his Estate were received, earmarked for a Transitional Living program . . . a cause which had been close to his heart.

A small apartment complex about 2 miles south of Inspiration Hill was obtained, and to this program were eventually to be added the first females in the Home's history.

The youth care staff continued to develop program ideas, submit them to the Board for consideration, and then to implement the plan following approval . . . a Wellness for Life program . . . adult parenting classes . . . a mentoring program, and more.

In 1992, the "Circle of Friends" donor recognition program was started, funded by friends who wanted the Home to start such a venture, and there was another Reunion of former boys and staff at the Cooper Farm picnic grounds.

It was to be their last look at the old pavilion, which dated back 40 years - after the last picnic of the season, it was bulldozed down and a new cement block structure put up in the same location.

In May, 1993, a cornerstone setting at the new pavilion - a first in Masonic circles, a joint cornerstone laying by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Nebraska and the Prince Hall Masons of Nebraska.

There was another celebration that month as well - one of the most distinguished classes in the history of the Home graduated from Benson High School. Distinguished indeed - 5 of the 7 were continuing on to college, 3 of them ranked in the top 15 of the graduating class, and the Class of '93 included a 4-H champion, a director and star of high school plays, honor roll members, and a commencement speaker.

One of the 7, Jeff Dee, reached his goal when he received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD - and was the day his success was announced a "red letter" day on the Hill!

"My parents were divorced and I was living in South Omaha. I was kind of a delinquent in the 4th and 5th grades, I stayed out late and did drugs a little.

The I came to the Home about 8 years ago, and . . .".

- JEFF DEE, a resident of the Home from 1985-93, talking to a newspaper reporter one week after high school graduation.

An interesting weekend took place in July, 1993.

It started on Thursday evening when a massive wind storm went through the area, devastating the stately old trees in Fontenelle Park only a few blocks east of the Home, but leaving the Home's grounds totally without damage.

The next morning saw the first annual OHB Golf Tournament, at a course west of town, and the next day saw many Home staff people conduct a community garage sale at the Bruner Cottage to benefit a member of the community in need.

More than $3,600 was raised as hundreds of people in the North Omaha community, led by staff and boys from the Home, combine forces in an event few will forget.

At the State Fair that year, Joe Parrett made the best showing ever by a boy from the Home . . . invited back for Monday's championship review by the governor of Nebraska!

Joe was in pretty good company, that day.

Indeed, 4-H was well on the way back to the highly successful program of earlier decades - girls from Uta Halee Girls Village and boys from Cooper Village now take part with us.

A western pleasure horseback riding program was started that year as well.

Cable television reached the Hill in 1993, and while it did not have the impact of the Home's first television 4 decades earlier, the addition of sports and educational programs was well received.

In early 1994, renovation of the cottage at Cooper Farm was complete, and Cooper Village took in its first boys.

There was a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony, including Governor Ben Nelson, in February.

And almost immediately plans were underway to build 2 additional cottages at Cooper Village - when they were completed the next year the capacity of the new home for boys would grow to 36.

1995 loomed ahead . . . another anniversary year . . . this one the most important one yet.

In a nationwide contest of readers of the TWIG newsletter, an entry was submitted from Texas, and it was decided to use it on everything throughout the 75th anniversary year.

On envelopes, on letterhead, on trinkets to pass out to visitors, and on many graceful banners which flew on power poles along 52nd Street and Ames Avenue.

The Board had authorized a special new building for 1995 as well - a Youth and Family Services Building where there would be adequate room for administrative offices, counseling rooms and for rooms for program expansion in the future.

The new building, fulfilling a long-time need on the campus, also contains a conference center and a Visitors' Center where the rich heritage of the Home can adequately be shown.

Ground for this structure was broken in September, 1994, and the race was on to complete it by August, 1995, the occasion of the Home's 75th Anniversary Reunion.

As the heat sweltered in the high 90's, and the humidity wasn't far behind, several hundred gathered on August 12, 1995, to greet old friends and to open a new building.

Charles Toye, who had entered the Masonic Home back in 1924, was one of those to cut the ribbon opening the door.

Scheduled for later in the 75th Anniversary celebration were the opening of the Heritage Courtyard, built between the 2 wings of the new building with bricks listing the names of special friends of the Home . . . and an October 7 banquet, again at the Mutual of Omaha Dome.

 

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