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Kathy
LETTER from the EDITOR
Thisis the time of year when generosity and the spirit of giving are traditionally at their highest. Omaha’s network of notable non-profit organizations is significant, and the community’s philanthropic support is impressive. This issue celebrates that spirit, whether it’s bringing awareness to a specific organization or through the many businesses that support them through their volunteer and give back programs.
REACH US
We want to hear from you. Ideas, suggestions, compliments and critiques, send them to us at Kathy@EdgeMagazine.com
The first week of December is National Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Awareness Week. The debilitating diseases—either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis—affects 48,000 people across Nebraska and Iowa. KETV news anchor Rob McCartney has been battling the disease for more than 40 years and is a strong patient advocate as well as supporter for the Nebraska/Iowa chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, which leads the way with research efforts toward a cure for this often not talked about disease— something the Foundation is hoping to change through awareness.
A staple of Omaha’s Blackstone District, The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel enjoys a long history, including the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich and Butter Brickle ice cream. Now into its fifth year following a $75 million refurbishment, The Cottonwood’s original charm couples with modern amenities to provide residents and visitors exceptional dining, events, and overnight stays in the heart of
the city, giving back to a community that has supported it for more than a century.
New to Omaha is Big Grove Brewery, led by Chef de Cuisine David Meegan, who, along with his team, is serving elevated standard brewery fare with a majority of items made in house, including its crafted beers brewed on site and available only in its taproom.
Looking to add something extra special to your family or work holiday party? Check out Platinum Pours luxury mobile bar, featured in this issue’s My Concoction section. Be sure to also check out the Home, Youth, Varsity Corner, and Spotlights—all are educational and inspiring.
As you celebrate with loved ones this holiday season, remember to give back, no matter how small. Wishing all of you a safe, happy, and healthy end to 2025 and start to the New Year!
Kathy Rygg Executive Editor
Carole
Edge Publisher; Rob McCartney; and
Rygg, Edge Executive Editor at the 9th annual Night of Champions gala benefitting the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Cover photo by OMAHA HEADSHOT COMPANY
PUBLISHER AND OWNER
Carole Sprunk (402) 587-2259 // Carole@EdgeMagazine.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Kathy Rygg (402) 490-3213 // Kathy@EdgeMagazine.com
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Kasie Wilcox (402) 957-8780 // Kasie@EdgeMagazine.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Shelly Nosbisch, Mike Watkins, Andy Williams
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CONTACT US P: (402) 587-2259
Carole@EdgeMagazine.com PO Box 620 Elkhorn, NE 68022 Edge is published bi-monthly. Content copyright © 2025 Edge Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without permission in writing from the publisher, Carole Sprunk. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, Edge assumes no responsibility therefore.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Edge Magazine, PO Box 620, Elkhorn, NE 68022
BEST of BOTH
WORLDS
Built in 2018, this 5,638-squarefoot residence sits on a generous 1.02-acre lot in the coveted Hamptons neighborhood, where luxury meets tranquility. With five bedrooms, five-plus bathrooms, and a design that blends modern elegance with timeless comfort, this home is more than a place to live – it’s a place to thrive.
The homeowners built the house
with personal purpose and passion. Having moved to Omaha in 2016, when the couple started envisioning and planning for their first “built” home, they had specific requests— and needs—in mind. “We wanted to live somewhere with a country feel close to city conveniences; that was our first priority,” the homeowners said. “We found the lot pretty quickly—near the pictur-
STORY BY MIKE WATKINS
PHOTOS BY MIND’S EYE VT
esque rolling hills and panoramic views near the Elkhorn River—and then started working with a builder and his home designer. Things took off from there.”
This residence, like a sentinel of comfort, stands proudly in the Hamptons neighborhood, a community known for its distinct character and inviting spirit. The charming façade welcomes with an elegant blend of modern architectural lines and classic brickwork, accented by a meticulously landscaped yard that bursts with vibrant colors through blossoming flowers and lush green grass—especially in the spring and fall.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by soaring ceilings, expansive windows, solid wood flooring and a layout that flows effortlessly from room to room. “Everything we chose— from finishes to flooring to the outside house
color—was made with deliberate selection because we truly wanted this to be more than a house; we wanted it to be our home,” the homeowners said.
Sunlight pours in through large windows, illuminating an open floor plan that seamlessly connects the living room, dining area, and kitchen. A second-level catwalk overlooking the great room and kitchen brings the main floor together with a view. The heart of the home—a gourmet kitchen—features highend appliances, custom cabinetry and a sleek mixture of granite and quartz countertops, making it a hub of culinary creativity for family meals. Two gas fireplaces add warmth and charm, while the finished sunken basement with built-in bar includes space for a home theater, gym, or game room.
Considered the “highlight of the house,” the
NATURAL LIGHT POURS INTO OPEN FLOOR PLAN
basement was “designed for entertaining, with a five-channel theater with built-in subwoofers and surround sound. It’s a true entertainer’s dream in so many ways.”
Along with regular living spaces, the primary bedroom suite is on the main floor of the home with three more bedrooms and multiple bathrooms on the second floor. There is a fifth bedroom and bathroom on the lower basement level. The primary suite not only boasts a large bedroom, but through the double-sink bathroom is a large dressing closet that is the envy of the space.
What truly sets this property apart is its outdoor oasis. The in-
STUNNING STONE FIREPLACE
COZY SITTING AREA
Darcie Zauha Kirsten Hilt
Nikaela Schroeder Ashley Bundy Ashley Hedden
ground saltwater pool sparkles under the Nebraska sun, inviting summer gatherings and quiet morning swims with slide and diving board. A large, covered deck (24x12) replete with fireplace and outdoor TV brings the inside and outside together for cool spring and fall days and evenings.
Surrounded by mature trees and manicured landscaping—most chosen and planted by the homeowners—the backyard feels like a private retreat. Whether hosting a barbecue or enjoying a glass of wine under the stars, this space is designed for making memories. “We’ve loved every moment in this house; it’s truly been a great place to raise our family and live together with great neighbors and surroundings,” the homeowners said. “We planned and built this home with deliberate choices so that we would enjoy every room, every level.”
OPEN FLOOR PLAN
GOURMET KITCHEN
SPACIOUS PRIMARY SUITE
When describing what they appreciate about The Hamptons, they said, “What’s truly special is its balance.” It’s close enough to Omaha for a quick commute, yet far enough to escape the hustle. Just a short drive away, residents can explore bustling shopping districts, eclectic dining options, and a host of entertainment venues. This balance allows for a serene daily life with wildlife on and surrounding the property while keeping adventure and excitement within reach.
“This was our first build, and it has exceeded all of our expectations and then some over the past several years,” the homeowners said. “We thought the process of designing and building would be stressful, but it wasn’t. Life here with country surrounding us but city life close by has given us the best of both worlds.” For more information on this property, contact Lisa Harbin with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Lisa.Harbin@BetterHomes.com, 402-630-2192
PRIVATE RETREAT
Awareness
TV Anchor Rob McCartney and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Fight for a Cure
lStory by ANDY WILLIAMS
Photos by OMAHA HEADSHOT COMPANY
ongtime Omaha news anchor Rob McCartney still chokes up thinking about a hospital visit that changed a scared teenager’s life—and his own. McCartney battles Crohn’s disease, an intestinal condition that can yank him from broadcasting breaking news to writhing in excruciating stomach pain within hours. The high school sophomore he visited that day faced the same fight. He brought a teddy bear and a message only someone who’s lived it could deliver.
“I talk to kids and teenagers who are diagnosed and they feel like it’s the end of the world,” said McCartney, whose symptoms first struck in college. “And I tell them, ‘Hey, I was like you, I was 20 years old when this all started for me.’ But I’ve been told that sometimes kids who know that I have Crohn’s will see me on the air and say, ‘He’s still functioning. He’s living the life he wants to live.’ I try to reinforce that message because they see some hope there.”
That teen graduated from high school, then college, and became McCartney’s friend and co-presenter at Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation events. She got married, had a baby, and years later, that same stuffed animal appeared in a birth announcement—tucked beside her newborn in a crib. “I’m starting to well up right now just talking about it,” McCartney said. “It just makes you feel so good that maybe you can have an impact on someone else going through the same things. You can imprint someone’s life in a
Rob McCartney
positive manner. She’s a great human being, and I’m so happy for her because she’s building her own life. She found a way through it.”
McCartney discovered a small band of fellow journeyers more than 30 years ago launching the fledgling Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Back then, 5-10 people met at a hospital to swap stories with people who understood the struggle. “We had commonality in our stories, like, ‘I was in the grocery store the other day, and suddenly I had to look for a bathroom real fast. I mean real fast.’ And everybody was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve been there and done that.’ That gave me such a sense of relief, a safety net. I had never been involved in any kind of ‘support group’ before. But now I get it. You know there’s somebody walking through the same things you are. You can look at each other and say, ‘I get it. You’re having a bad day. I’m here for you.’”
That small band has grown into a force helping find cures for the one in 100 people—an estimated 48,000 across Nebraska and Iowa—battling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—in the form of either Crohn’s or
Campers at Camp Oasis
Lake activities at Camp Oasis
ulcerative colitis. The local chapter, an affiliate of the national Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation headquartered in New York, focuses on fundraising for research, education, and advocacy.
The national organization, founded in 1967, has raised over $500 million for IBD research and has been involved in every research discovery, according to Nebraska/Iowa chapter Executive Director Jason Anderson. “It almost sounds too good to be true, but our chief medical officer confirmed we can confidently say that since our inception, we have been a part of every advancement in the field,” said Anderson, who is living his own ulcerative colitis story since being diagnosed in 2001 as a young professional and newlywed. “That’s very validating for the value of the work we’re doing.”
The local chapter raises funds primarily through Take Steps walks in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa—all exceeding goals this year—and through its annual Night of Champions gala, which raised over $500,000 in November while recognizing medical, community, and volunteer champions.
Adventure course at Camp Oasis
Bubble fun at Camp Oasis
Rob McCartney at the Nebraska Take Steps Walk
The organization also encourages pediatric IBD patients to attend Camp Oasis each July in Minnesota to help enrich the lives of those children living with the disease. “We have dynamic support from the IBD community in each of the areas—great attendance, great sponsorship, and we’re building a lot of awareness and building excitement,” said Anderson, the local leader since 2022. “And most of all, we’re building confidence within the IBD community that it’s okay to talk about your disease. It’s okay to ask for help.”
IBD Awareness Week, promoted nationally during the first week of December, is raising the bar on awareness and removing stigma from what Anderson calls a “bathroom disease”—making it tough for those living with it to open up, even with family and doctors. “The disease itself is something that can make people really uncomfortable to talk about,” said Anderson, noting the Foundation’s “Spill Your Guts” campaign that focused on patients shooting straight with their doctor, and this year’s “Let’s Go There” campaign designed to open up the conversation about IBD. “It’s really meant to say, it’s uncomfortable to talk about, but let’s go there. We need to be able to talk about what Crohn’s and colitis are, and what they do to a person. Patients need to feel the confidence to say, ‘Yeah, I have Crohn’s or colitis, but I’m so much more than that.’”
Anderson sees young leaders like his daughter Taryn paving the way. Diagnosed with Crohn’s at age 14 right before her dad’s second intestinal surgery, Taryn immediately started telling her story and raising money for a cure. Named Honored
Take Steps participants showing ribbons of support
Annual Take Steps Walk at Werner Park
Executive Director Jason Anderson
Night of Champions fundraising gala
Hero after raising $5,000 for her first Take Steps walk in Lincoln, she’s now studying microbiology and biochemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, determined to become a research lab scientist searching for IBD cures. “Her approach has been totally different than mine in the early days,” Anderson said. “I kept everything to myself. I didn’t talk about it, I didn’t pay attention, I didn’t read about it. She wants people to know all about the diseases, and she wants to be part of finding the cures in her lifetime.”
Determination like that gives McCartney hope. After living with Crohn’s for 45 years, he’s fierce about the future. From that first small support group to today’s growing movement, the Foundation continues building a community where no one fights alone—and where a teddy bear can carry hope from one generation to the next. “I tell kids who are getting diagnosed, learn how to cope with it until they get a cure for it,” McCartney concluded. “Because in my lifetime, maybe a cure won’t happen. But in your lifetime…definitely. In the meantime, we want to get the disease out there as much as we can so that people are more understanding of those who live with it, and they are more willing to open their wallet and we can continue all the ground-breaking research and find a cure.”
Rob McCartney and a Take Steps walk participant
Rob McCartney at the KETV studio
The Sky’s THE LIMIT
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Story by EDGE CONTRIBUTOR
Photos
courtesy of
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEBRASKA
Cayla Kelly always knew she wanted to go back to school but never thought it was something she could achieve. When she started her career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) as a customer service representative, she saw an opportunity to earn her first bachelor’s degree through the company’s tuition reimbursement program.
“It was always a desire I had deep down,” said Kelly, now a provider executive support specialist at BCBSNE. “Blue Cross announced an improved tuition reimbursement program in 2021, and my supervisor at the time encouraged me to look into it and go back to school. I didn’t let myself overthink it before turning in my application.”
Kelly submitted her application for a degree in health care administration at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), one of BCBSNE’s tuition reimbursement partners, to help her grow and give her a better perspective of her role. “I got an email not long after I submitted my application that had my starting date and said, ‘Welcome to class,’” Kelly said, adding that the partnership between BCBSNE and UAGC made it easy to balance school, work, and her personal life because the process was so straightforward. Once her classes began, all she had to do was submit her grades to maintain her tuition reimbursement benefits. In 2023, Kelly became the first person in her family to graduate college—debt free.
“It’s given me a better perspective on how to serve,” Kelly said. “Not just in my position at Blue
Cross but as a whole. Having this degree changed my mindset on how I can be there for people.” To continue that mindset and focus on helping those around her, Kelly went back to school for her master’s degree, again through BCBSNE’s tuition reimbursement program. “Getting my bachelor’s really built my confidence and showed me I could do anything,” Kelly said. “Being the first in my family to graduate and making an impact in my community was also a driving force. I have so many people who look up to me, and I feel committed to continuing that impact.”
The support of her BCBSNE team made the decision to pursue her master’s degree an easy one. Earlier this year, she walked the graduation stage at the University of Arizona to receive her master’s degree in health care administration. “Everyone at BCBSNE was so invested in how my classes and school were going,” Kelly said. “The cherry on top was when they surprised me with my favorite cake, a gift, and a graduation party at one of our team meetings.”
Now, fully equipped with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Kelly said she’s not done.
“If I could do it, anybody can,” Kelly said. “I don’t see a ceiling to what I can achieve at Blue Cross or anywhere else. There’s so much information at our fingertips that can help us succeed if you look for it. The sky’s the limit.” Learn more about BCBSNE’s benefits at NebraskaBlue.com/ Careers.
Cayla Kelly
Bring Business to Life FASTER
Momentum means little without clear direction. That’s the approach behind FASTER Digital Studios, a full-service marketing agency powered by the trusted voice of Omaha Magazine.
FASTER exists to bring concepts to life, leveraging the authority of traditional media and data-driven marketing while moving at the pace today’s digital world demands. The studio helps businesses strengthen their digital presence and expand their reach through coordinated campaigns that significantly boost visibility.
More than 40 years of collective experience and a deep understanding of Omaha’s business landscape powers the FASTER team, which comprises specialists in design, development, production, and storytelling. The studio has generated over 3 million video impressions and built a growing roster of clients who value collaboration and smart execution.
The process comes to life across FASTER’s three specialized studios: Digital, Video, and Publishing. Each operates as its own creative engine, allowing clients to tap into specialized expertise while benefiting from a unified creative process.
Digital Studio
The performance hub of FASTER, Digital Studio builds scalable digital solutions designed to convert. Every click, view, and webpage visit is tracked through custom dashboards, giving clients real-time insight into what’s working.
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FASTER’s Video Studio is where brands find their voice in motion. The in-house production team creates story-driven visual content for every platform, rooted in the brand’s larger strategy and designed to resonate with their audience on a personal level.
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Story by NATALIE VELOSO Photos courtesy of FASTER DIGITAL STUDIOS
Publishing Studio
Rooted in Omaha Magazine’s editorial expertise, the Publishing Studio transforms brand stories into meaningful content. It’s a way for organizations to share their story with substance, using trusted platforms and experienced journalists to elevate their credibility.
• Sponsored Editorials: Journalistic storytelling with strategic marketing intent.
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FASTER’s strength lies in collaboration. The team integrates technical skill with creative production to ensure the visually striking work they deliver always performs with purpose. Clients trust FASTER not just to execute their campaigns, but to turn each idea and early concept into results they can touch. Housing both storytelling and strategy under one roof, FASTER offers something rare in marketing today: a full-service team that treats every project as a partnership to help brands move forward confidently, and true to their name, faster. Learn more or start your next project at faster-studios.com.
d Historic Revival
uring its formative years as the Blackstone Hotel, The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, which has become a popular landing spot for guests at the corner of 36th and Farnam streets in Omaha’s Blackstone District, saw many firsts.
It’s the building where both the Reuben sandwich and Butter Brickle ice cream were created, and in its heyday, the Second Renaissance Revival style building was regarded as the premier hotel between Chicago and San Francisco along the Lincoln Highway (now Farnam Street).
Today, more than five years since it reopened following a $75 million refurbishment in conjunction with the revitalization of the neighborhood, the “grande dame” of Omaha hotels is carving out a new but
Story by MIKE WATKINS
Photos courtesy of THE KIMPTON COTTONWOOD HOTEL
Cottonwood Room at The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
familiar reputation as a luxurious destination hotel and event space designed for weddings and galas as well as the frequent staycation.
“Our owners wanted to make The Cottonwood the cornerstone of the Blackstone District,” said General Manager Dayna Baker, who joined the Kimpton Cottonwood three
and a half years ago as the assistant general manager. She took over as general manager in 2023. “While we are part of the Kimpton brand and chain, each hotel has its own unique identity.”
The Blackstone was built as a residential hotel in 1916 with people generally renting space by the year
rather than the day. The E-shaped building had eight stories with the first four floors offering one- and two-room apartments with their own baths. Floors five through seven had three- to six-room units, some with sleeping or sun porches, a kitchen, refrigerator, and gas range. The 8th floor featured an
Pool at The Cottonwood
The Cottonwood Hotel in The Blackstone District
elegant French ballroom and three rooftop gardens.
In 1920, under new ownership, the Blackstone became a traditional hotel and quickly was regarded as a “symbol of elegance,” gaining recognition nationwide. Through the 1970s, the building was one of the most successful elegant small hotels in the country.
After it closed in 1976, the Blackstone sat vacant, reopening in the 1980s as office space. It remained this way until a local group of investors bought the property in 2017 and restored it to its original distinction. This included restoring the famous top floor Schimmel Ballroom—named for longtime owner Charles Schimmel and the spot where Richard Nixon announced his candidacy for President in
Entrance to the Cottonwood Room
Schimmel Ballroom
1967—as well as its resort-inspired pool and accommodations.
The hotel is one of the earliest structures in Nebraska listed on the National Register of Historical Places. “We hosted movie stars and athletes, and every president in office through Ronald Reagan, though he visited us in the 1940s as an actor,” Baker said. “John F. and Jackie Kennedy celebrated their 5th anniversary here in 1958, before he became president in 1961.”
Since 2000, increased fascination with and a charge to save historic structures from the wrecking ball paved the way for redevelopment. In 2017, the current owners bought the building. Three years later, after
adding an additional two buildings and the pool, the Kimpton Cottonwood re-opened.
The 205-room Cottonwood Hotel features many of the Blackstone Hotel’s original features, including original tiled floors in the restaurants and lobby, as well as the original central marble staircase. During the renovation, a secret room determined to be a Prohibition-era creation used to hide liquor was uncovered between the first and second floors.
Dining opportunities are abundant and varied at the hotel, including options like the Orleans Room, a restaurant once known for its formality in the original
Blackstone Hotel. The Committee Chophouse—inspired by the Roaring 20’s—serves classic steakhouse entrees like Chateaubriand for two. Paying homage to the name of the hotel, The Cottonwood Room is a new take on the traditional cocktail bar setting.
Beyond its culinary delights, the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel is well suited for a variety of events and celebrations. The elegantly designed ballroom stands as a centerpiece for weddings, corporate gatherings, and fundraising and community events. As the holidays approach, the hotel embraces the spirit of celebration with themed events and special packages.
The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel is more than a place to sleep – it’s a symbol of Omaha’s evolution. Its restoration reflects the city’s commitment to honoring its history while embracing the future. For guests, it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and novelty. For locals, it’s a source of pride and a place to celebrate life’s milestones.
“When the hotel was the Blackstone, it was part of the community,” Baker said. “The Cottonwood’s goal is to become part of the community for current and future generations.” For more information, visit the thecottonwoodhotel.com.
The Committee Chophouse
The Cottonwood Room bar
BIG GROVE BREWERY
4601 Catalyst Ct
(531) 721-2912
biggrove.com
when Big Grove Brewery approached Chef David Meegan about coming on board, they had him at “chef-driven brewery.” After stints at brew pubs in New York City and Omaha’s Benson district, Meegan craved the brewery culture. He jumped at the chance to lead Big Grove Brewery’s everything-from-scratch, locally-sourced kitchen in Omaha’s medical district.
Frozen, packaged, mass-produced menu items? Not here. “I have a guy back there hand-making pretzels right now, and another guy hand-making bao buns,” said Meegan, Big Grove’s Chef de Cuisine. “We make our own mayonnaise. We have a very talented pastry chef and make our own pastries and desserts every day. We make our own focaccia bread daily. We buy local mushrooms, local beets, local radishes. We try to keep it as chef-driven and organic as possible.”
Meegan maintains that commitment across Big Grove’s sprawling indoor/ outdoor space. He hand-picked his staff he’d worked with from local restaurants, trusting them to pour heart and soul into bold, distinctive food. “It’s a big oper-
TUNA POKE
Story by ANDY WILLIAMS
Photos by YUM OMAHA
FARE ELEVATED BREWERY
STEAK FRITES
ation with the size of our location, but we can still have our chef instincts and serve thousands of people a week,” said Meegan, noting that Big Grove interviewed about 200-300 cooks and over 100 front-of-house staff to land his select crew. “You look around and wonder how it’s possible to do with this many seats, but we’re doing it with lots of organization and lots of talented people.”
Big Grove elevates standard brewery fare—burgers, wings, chicken sandwiches, and salads—with custom items like Asian-style crudo with homemade coconut vinaigrette and an Asian noodle bowl. The Reuben is one example of that elevated menu. Omaha owns this sandwich, but Meegan will put Big Grove’s up against any in the city: housemade corned beef cured for seven days, smoked overnight, shaved thin, then blended with fresh sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing.
The Brewer’s Board is art and appetite collided. A “bigger-than-your-head” handmade pretzel twists around holes filled with house-brewed beer cheese, sauerkraut, maple mustard, cornichon pickles, and house-made Jägerwurst sausage. Big Grove’s sausage starts with locally-sourced pork butt: marinated, house-ground, and stuffed in casings by three cooks working with assembly-line precision. “It’s amazing,” Meegan added. Joining that starter: daily-baked herb focaccia with high-quality olive oil, freshground parmesan, and freshly ground pepper.
Speaking of spices, all arrive whole and get ground fresh in-house. Need black pepper? Big Grove buys peppercorns and grinds them. Cardamom ginger spice? Same treatment. “The freshness of our ground spices makes a huge difference,” Meegan said.
The prime rib French dip stands
MARINATED BEET SALAD
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES
alone. Full ribeye, simply seasoned, slow-cooked—sometimes overnight— then blast-chilled and sliced thin. Add horseradish aioli made from house-made mayonnaise, Milton Creamery aged white cheddar, onions caramelized for hours, all served on a fresh hoagie roll with au jus. Want to skip the afternoon desk coma? Choose the tuna poke. It’s a deconstructed sushi roll with marinated sushi-grade tuna, mango chutney, fresh and pickled vegetables, Korean aioli, and seasoned rice.
Vegetarians won’t feel sidelined. The panini-style mushroom melt layers button and oyster mushrooms—locally sourced from Flavor Country Farms near Honey Creek in Iowa’s Loess Hills— with caramelized and roasted poblano peppers, chipotle aioli, Milton Creamery aged white cheddar, and spinach on focaccia baked mere hours before serving. The roasted mushroom pasta doubles down: same local mushrooms, cream wine garlic sauce made to order, chiles, baby spinach, grated Grana Padano, thick rigatoni, and—naturally—freshbaked focaccia on the side. “I could live off of our bread and pasta,” Meegan said. “Actually, I think I probably do.”
All of Big Grove’s menu items pair effortlessly with any of its beers and eight house-made seltzers. “We take pride in crafting everything we serve right here at our brewery,” Meegan added. “Just like our fresh, locally inspired dishes, all our beers are currently brewed on-site, ensuring every pour is bold, fresh, and full of flavor. The beers on tap here are Omaha exclusives, brewed specifically for this location and available only in our taproom.”
Save room for dessert. Pastry chef Emma Osentoski crafts sweets that demand surrender: rotating cheesecake— coconut one week, mango honey or wild berry the next. Sticky toffee pudding
REUBEN BAO BUNS
THAI TUNA CRUDO
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
PASTRIES FROM BIG GROVE COFFEE COMPANY
WILD BERRY PAVLOVA
with dates, brown butter crumble, fresh vanilla ice cream, smothered in an “absurd” amount of butterscotch, according to Osentoski. The wild berry pavlova’s meringue features whipped egg whites slowly cooked at low temperature, crispy outside, gooey inside, with the look and texture of a marshmallow. It’s topped with lemon curd and choice wild berries. Beyond those, Osentoski bakes cookies
and pastries fresh daily to lure you into the adjacent Big Grove coffee shop. All of it blends to provide an experience that Meegan boasts is unlike any other brewery. “We don’t cut corners anywhere,” he said. “You hear that from a lot of chefs, and then you hear it’s a brewery or a bar and not a lot of people realize we’re actually doing this—special touches everywhere.”
CHEF DE CUISINE DAVID MEEGAN
BIG GROVE BREWERY
BIG GROVE COFFEE
COVERED PATIO
What you need:
• 1 oz. orange liqueur
• 2 oz. Sauvignon Blanc white wine
• 2 oz. white cranberry juice
• Dash of lime juice
• 1/2 oz. lemon lime soda
• Fresh cranberries
• Fresh rosemary sprig
• 1 cinnamon stick
THE BAR: Platinum Pours Luxury Mobile Bar
THE BARTENDER: Scott
THE DRINK: White Christmas Sangria
Top with lemon lime soda
national NINJA
WARRIOR
Story by SHELLY NOSBISCH
Photos courtesy of ALYSSA STIEREN
Ten-year-old Ninja Warrior Violet Stieren doesn’t quit. When she’s confronted with an obstacle on her ninja course that stops her in her tracks, she waits patiently and tries again. And again. And again. A fourth grade student at Spring Ridge Elementary in Elkhorn, Nebraska, Stieren has been training at Midwest Warrior Academy for four years. Her determination has even inspired her mom, Alyssa Stieren, to train with a group of ninja moms.
Edge: What’s the hardest thing about training to be a ninja?
Stieren: Sometimes I fall and get discouraged, but I know I have to get back up and try harder.
Edge: What’s your favorite thing about training as a ninja?
Stieren: I like doing obstacles with my friends. I’ve grown closer to my ninja team. When I was a beginner, I wasn’t that good and I wanted to leave, but now I’ve grown closer to my ninja team, and I like cheering them on at competitions.
Edge: What is it like competing against other ninjas nationally?
Stieren: I go once a year to Worlds. It’s overwhelming, but then once you get on the course, it’s so fun and it just flows.
Edge: Who inspires you?
Stieren: My coaches. But also my mom inspires me too because she started not too long ago (training as a ninja), and she’s been working her way up. She’s already doing better than when she started.
Violet Stieren
Photo by Juli Camarin Photography
Violet on the Tick Tock obstacle
Edge: Alyssa, how did you start training with the other moms?
Alyssa Stieren (Violet’s mom): Violet is always running along these balanced obstacles and running up walls and flying on the rings and flying from bar to bar. And I wanted to learn how to do that. When they started a class for moms, I did not have the upper body strength to do everything right off the bat, but I went from not being able to hang onto a bar for more than 30 seconds to hanging on for a minute and fifteen seconds. The workout is functional and fun.
Edge: Violet, was there an obstacle that was particularly hard for you to master?
Stieren: The Boot Scoot. It’s about five feet off the ground. I climbed a cargo net and grabbed the rings. I was worried about doing a belly flop, so I was up there for a while. Then my coach said, “3-2-1.” I leaned back, put my legs over my head, and then swung down. I went with the flow, but I did fall because it yanked my arms. I figured out I was bending my knees and pushing off when they just wanted me to fall back, so I fixed that.
Edge: If someone at school said they were scared to try doing ninja, what would you tell them?
Stieren: I would tell them it’s okay. The coaches are there for you. They won’t let you fall—well, they won’t let you get hurt. And even if you fall, you can get up and try again.
Edge: Alyssa, what makes you proudest when you watch Violet?
Alyssa: I just love how she does not give up. Even if she misses something, it does not get in her head. She will hang there for as long as it takes, she will keep swinging and reaching and jumping. She is so resilient.
Violet on the Cliffhangers obstacle
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
Emersyn Exner | Senior | Papillion LaVista South High School
Papillion LaVista (PLV) South High School senior Emersyn Exner has been playing softball her whole life. “My dad was a high school baseball coach, so I was always around baseball and softball,” she said. “I played t-ball, then coach pitch, and then later joined Nebraska Gold club softball.” A multi-sport athlete, Exner currently also plays on the PLV South soccer team and played basketball through freshman year. Playing shortstop for the Nebraska Gold club softball team has been a game-changer for her. “The caliber of teams we play challenges me and makes me an overall better player. Plus, it’s really fun. We’ve traveled to Kansas City, Chicago, Boulder, Denver, Oklahoma, and California.”
Her PLV South softball team is close-knit. “The coaches are amazing and the girls are really close, which makes the season go by so fast,” she said. “I just love being there. We have team dinners once a week, which are always fun because we just eat and hang out after practice. We also have a scavenger hunt at the start of the year where we dress up in costumes and ‘kidnap’ the underclassmen. Of
course they know what’s happening, and it’s always a fun night.”
Exner exhibits strong leadership skills and chooses to lead by example. “My goal was just to leave the program better than I found it, get close to the girls, and become a leader. I’m not going to go out and yell at someone. I’d rather become friends with them and build a close relationship. Then they trust that I know what I’m doing, and they look up to me in that way.”
Outside of softball, Exner attends the Health Systems Academy, spending half her school day at CHI Health Midlands Hospital, taking classes and shadowing nurses and other healthcare professionals. She works at a local nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant and is considering a career in nursing.
She has committed to play softball for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. “I had some other offers and I went on some visits, but when I visited St. Thomas, I just knew that was where I wanted to be. I love the coaches. They’re all
Story by SHELLY NOSBISCH Photos courtesy of EMERSYN EXNER
so amazing. I knew that was where I wanted to go.”
Despite breaking her left thumb in her sophomore year, Exner stayed focused on being a supportive teammate. “I had to sit out for half of the season,” she shared. “That was hard to watch the team, knowing that I couldn’t really help them. I focused more on being a good teammate and a leader off the field.”
PLV South varsity softball coach Tom Horton believes Emersyn Exner has set the standard for what it means to be a Titan Softball player. “On the field, in the classroom, and in the dugout, she embodies excellence in every sense of the word,” he said. “A true competitor and leader, Emersyn’s dedication and consistency have made her one of the best players to ever wear a Titan uniform.”
Horton continued, “Last season, Emersyn earned a spot on the All-Nebraska Team, a well-deserved honor that highlights her incredible talent and impact on the game. She also etched her name into the Titan Softball record books by setting a new career batting average record, which is a testament to her focus, discipline, and relentless work ethic. But what truly sets Emersyn apart is who she is as a teammate and person. She’s positive, supportive, and always willing to help others,
"A true competitor and leader, Emersyn’s dedication and consistency have made her one of the best players to ever wear a Titan uniform.”
–Tom Horton, Papillion LaVista South High School varsity softball coach
whether it’s offering encouragement to a younger player or leading by example with her hustle and preparation. Her energy lifts those around her, and her commitment to doing things the right way— both on and off the field—has left a lasting mark on Titan Softball.”
Exner strives to make her family, coaches and teammates proud. “I have high standards for myself. I want to win for my teammates and my family, not
impress them, but to do good in front of them.” Horton agreed. “Emersyn Exner is not only one of the most talented players in program history, but also one of the most respected,” he said. “Her legacy of excellence, leadership, and heart will continue to inspire Titan Softball for years to come. It has been a true honor to have the opportunity to coach her these past 4 years.”
