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Adaptive Reuse Project— The Academy [Weeping Water]
After 12 years of planning and construction, the historical society is ready to unveil the Weeping Water Academy Social Hall & Thomas W. Meeske Genealogy Center on Limestone Day, June 29, 2024, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at 206 W. H Street.
The fascinating history behind the 154-year-old landmark — which housed the Weeping Water Academy from 1886 to 1914 and later the city’s library — will be on view. A new exhibit featuring the building’s many uses throughout the years will be revealed, along with the new Memorial Brick Garden on the building grounds.
The Thomas W. Meeske Genealogy Center, which features area family records, photos, yearbooks, and more resources, is located within the facility. The Weeping Water Academy Social Hall is available to the public as a place to gather for meetings, receptions, corporate, family, and community events. For more information, visit www.weepingwaterhistory.org.
This renovation is particularly notable since it was a collaborative effort between the WWVHS and WW High School. The Construction Arts department used this project as a hands-on learning experience for the students. Over about 4 years, classes met at the Academy to practice renovation and remodeling skills. Students demolished the floors, reinforced the braces, and installed a new subfloor. They also learned electrical skills and used those skills to rewire the building under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
Costs for the renovation were covered by grants, donations, bequests, and many volunteer hours. At one time, those volunteer hours were estimated at a value of over $200,000.
Business of the Year—Tall Tree Tastings [Beatrice]
Business of the Year— The Wise Olde Owl [Fremont]
Business of the Year— Mini Mall [Tekamah]
The Tekamah Mini Mall and the owners have flipped a warn-down building on our highly trafficked main street highway into a retail storefront! Tekamah Mini Mall brings crafters, entrepreneurs, and second-hand sellers to a space where all locals can shop with ease. With over 20 booths, there is something for everyone! Tekamah Mini Mall has brought a lot of new income and people to town and our main streets while being open during the day and weekends. They have added major interior and exterior improvements to also make the
main streets of Tekamah a better site to see! They bring a few small-town traditions and opportunities to Tekamah like bringing Santa, the Grinch, and the Easter Bunny to town during the holidays. The Tekamah Mini Mall also participates in Chamber activities during our
annual Freedom Fest parade and main street decorating contest. The Tekamah Mini Mall has an abundance of smalltown pride and they are committed to keeping the streets of Tekamah full of business.
Business of the Year— Meeske Hardware [Weeping Water]
Meeske Hardware, family owned and operated since 1939 when Art and Mable Meeske moved their young family to Weeping Water and purchased a hardware store. In 1949 the store was moved across the street to the current location. The couple’s son, Gayle, started working in the store in 1964 and his brother, Tom, followed in 1972. In 1974, the brothers were brought in as partners and they took over the business when Art passed away in 1976. Today, the hardware operates under the supervision of a member of the third generation of the Meeske family, Barb Meeske Smisek.
Meeske Hardware serves the village of Weeping Water and the surrounding communities. It stocks everything you need when it comes to tools, hardware, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and farm needs. Also carried are products for lawn care as well as home improvement items.
The personalized service that is practiced throughout the store is unparalleled. Items sought by customers, if not available in the store, are ordered quickly and generally available in a short period of time. Meeske Hardware truly sets an example as a quality business.
Meeske Hardware has been a supporter of the Revitalization Association of Weeping Water since the inception of the organization. When Tom Meeske passed away in 2022, a memorial fund was established in his name by the family. Memorial suggestions posted by the family included The Revitalization Association of Weeping Water. Our organization became the recipient of approximately $3,600 from this fund.
The Hardware, in addition to its business acumen, has been actively involved with the activities of the Revitalization Association. They have supported our annual fundraiser (the creation of an annual calendar with photos of the Weeping Water community) and provided us with a venue to market our calendar each year. In addition to giving us a venue in which to offer the calendar to residents of the city, they always purchase ads in the calendar.
Supplies needed for our gardening at the public gazebo (the Revitalization’s first project), are offered to us at cost. They donated items to our organization to be placed in a gift basket that was presented at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the community dock (the second project of RAWW) located at the city park.
Business Promotional Event/Activity— Christmas Walk Event [Fremont]
The Annual Christmas Walk in Downtown Fremont has been a MainStreet staple since our founding in 1994. Now going into our 30th year this event is a must-attend for all in the community! This event involves over 30 businesses which host free events, give away treats and refreshments, and have special deals all day that can help anyone get a jump start on their Christmas shopping! The Christmas Walk always takes place on Small Business Saturday, it is an all day event with businesses participating in special ways all day long. There are so many free and festive activities including: trolley rides, pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, tree lighting ceremony, and horse-drawn carriages. Downtown saw over 1,000 people throughout the day in 2023. Businesses helped to promote their stores activities through posters and social media posts and some even participated in a window decorating contest. There were event surveys sent to businesses and attendees. Businesses reported sales were up and foot traffic was increased throughout the day over what a typical day would look like for them.
Façade Improvement— Grandpa Snazzy's [Weeping Water]
Interior Improvement— Kala's Savory Bites and Sifted Sweets [Beatrice]
The interior of Kala's building has undergone drastic improvements. She has turned the space into a beautiful, comfortable space to relax, drink coffee, or work/study.
Public Partner— The City of Beatrice [Beatrice]
The City of Beatrice has demonstrated exceptional commitment and partnership through its involvement in the Paddock-Kensington Project, making it a deserving candidate for the Outstanding Public Partner Award. This project exemplifies how public and private sectors can collaborate to achieve substantial revitalization in a downtown district.
The Paddock-Kensington building, a historic structure initially serving as a hotel and later as an assisted living facility, was donated to Main Street Beatrice by its previous owners, Agemark, in April 2022. Recognizing the building’s potential and the need for its revitalization, Main Street Beatrice embarked on an ambitious project to restore and repurpose the site. This monumental task involved transforming the building into a mixed-use development with retail space on the first floor and residential units on the upper floors.
The City of Beatrice has played a crucial role in this redevelopment effort. Initially, the city had an agreement with Main Street Beatrice to facilitate the sale of the building. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer, along with the Beatrice City Council, has been instrumental in navigating the complex process of acquiring the building and securing funding. Despite facing challenges with grant stipulations, the city’s determination to find a viable path forward remained unwavering.
One notable aspect of this partnership was the city’s proactive approach to financing. The Beatrice City Council initially approved a $1 million grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for the acquisition and redevelopment of the building. However, due to restrictive grant conditions, including repayment clauses that hindered flexibility, the city opted to amend the agreement. This included increasing the reimbursement cap for Main Street’s expenses and extending the closing date to allow for alternative funding sources. The city's commitment to the project is underscored by its willingness to support Main Street with up to $70,000 for legal and administrative costs, demonstrating a shared dedication to the project’s success.
The partnership also involved a rigorous selection process for developers. The city, in collaboration with Main Street Beatrice, issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify suitable developers for the project. Hoppe & Son, LLC was selected to undertake the redevelopment, with plans for a historic renovation that preserves key features of the building while introducing new retail and residential spaces. This collaborative effort ensures that the redevelopment aligns with the community’s vision for revitalizing downtown Beatrice.
The City of Beatrice's involvement has not been limited to financial support. The city's engagement has included extensive negotiations and coordination to ensure that the redevelopment project advances smoothly. This partnership is a testament to the city’s commitment to enhancing the downtown district and preserving its historic assets.
In summary, the City of Beatrice has gone above and beyond in supporting the Paddock-Kensington Project. Their active participation, financial support, and collaborative approach have been critical in moving this significant redevelopment forward. The city’s efforts exemplify a model of effective public-private partnership, contributing immensely to the revitalization of downtown Beatrice and ensuring the future success of the Paddock-Kensington Project.
Streetscape/Public Space Improvement— BE THE LIGHT [Weeping Water]
The Berniece Hopper Foundation Outdoor Recreation Area at City Lakes Campground of Weeping Water has a great new playground thanks to the amazing efforts of Be The Light – Speak Up, Speak Out. Be The Light is a non-profit, community-based business that organized a campaign to raise funds to replace the old and dangerous playground at the City Lakes. The old playground was in a spot which blocked the handicapped restrooms and much of the equipment was beyond repair, outdated, and dangerous.
The new playground is handicapped accessible and can be used by all ages. It is completely fenced which adds to the security of the play area. There are nearby benches that parents can relax on as they monitor their children. It is located near trees that provide shade and keep the playground comfortable year round. The playground has been placed near an existing pavilion which provides additional shelter for picnicking. It is tucked into a small unused area of the City Lakes which gets no road traffic but allows for easy pedestrian access by foot or car.
Be The Light spearheaded the effort to raise funds for the playground beginning in June of 2022, and by July of 2023, adequate money was on hand. Through grants, funding from the City of Weeping Water, fundraisers and a donation from Be The Light – Speak Up, Speak Out, and community donations of private citizens, the playground became a reality.
Volunteer of the Year— Karlene Douglas, Beatrice, NE
Karlene Douglas has emerged as a transformative force in our Beatrice Main Street organization. As the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, she has embraced her role with remarkable enthusiasm and dedication, driving significant progress in our downtown revitalization efforts. Karlene’s leadership has been pivotal in guiding our organization through a period of transition and growth. Her ability to manage key projects has been particularly noteworthy; for instance, when our weekly farmers market manager left unexpectedly, Karlene stepped up to manage the market single-handedly. This demonstrated her commitment and exceptional leadership skills.
Her positivity and encouragement have significantly boosted morale among board members and volunteers, creating a collaborative and motivated environment. Karlene’s tenure with the organization spans 4 years, during which she has contributed extensively as a volunteer and in formal leadership roles. Her active participation in multiple committees, including the Promotions Committee and the Ribfest Committee, has been invaluable.
Under Karlene’s leadership, our Main Street program has experienced an increase in community engagement and support for local businesses. Karlene’s direct management of the farmers market and other events has led to notable successes in terms of attendance and revenue generation. Our number of Farmers Market vendors has grown from around 20 to over 30. We have almost outgrown our space. Her hands-on approach and unwavering support have fostered a positive and productive atmosphere within the organization, making her an essential pillar of our success.
Furthermore, Karlene’s forward-thinking approach ensures that our Main Street program is well-positioned for continued success. She is actively involved in planning future initiatives and is committed to the long-term growth and revitalization of our downtown district. Her exceptional commitment of time and energy, combined with her innovative ideas and hands-on management, make Karlene Douglas a deserving candidate for the Main Street Volunteer of the Year Award. Her contributions have been truly exceptional, and her leadership continues to inspire and drive our Main Street program toward greater achievements.
Volunteer of the Year— Katy Jones, Fremont, NE
Katy began on the MainStreet of Fremont Board of Directors in 2022. She helped to develop the event now known as the Gallery Walk. This event takes place in the Spring and Fall each year in Downtown Fremont. Katy dedicates her time and energy in contacting artists, businesses, and working with the Executive Director in order to coordinate this event. The event involves more than 20 businesses and artists. Downtown businesses host local artists from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on a Saturday twice a year. This event allows the community to come explore the downtown district and discover local artists and all downtown has to offer. Katy has gone above and beyond dedicating her personal time in contacting artists and businesses, coordinating locations, and sending surveys after the event concludes. Katy has also been a volunteer at our Crazy Days & Chalk Art Festival event which she not only attended the day of but helped with the planning of as well. She also has volunteered at the Fremont Hispanic Festival event.
Volunteer of the Year— Darl Beck, Tekamah, NE
Darl Beck is highly involved in the community with businesses and organizations in town. He is selfless, constantly gives himself to better others, is a mentor and coach to dozens and everyone he meets, a great businessman, family man, and all-around great guy for the community of Tekamah.
He co-owns three significant businesses in town. Cass Plumbing, a successful plumbing business, Tekamah Works, a community office space building, and Ridgeview RV Park, a nicely kept-up RV park! His main street commercial building also has a retail space that previously held the Tekamah pharmacy. He is actively working to get another business in there to fill the space on our main street! Outside of his businesses, he is also highly active and involved in the wrestling, football, and baseball programs as a mentor and coach and is active in the Presbyterian church youth group, and part-time pastor.
Darl is an exemplary nominee for Tekamah’s Main Street Network Inspiring Excellence Award as Volunteer of the Year due to his outstanding contributions to the community. He plays a pivotal role in maintaining the town's infrastructure, ensuring both new developments and existing systems run smoothly. Moreover, his dedication extends beyond his businesses as he demonstrates his commitment to nurturing the next generation. His multifaceted contributions make him a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition, embodying the spirit of service and community stewardship.
Volunteer of the Year— Brooke Gjerde, Weeping Water, NE
Brooke is an individual who has invested a huge amount of her personal time and energy in the community, and whose leadership has specifically helped the RAWW organization achieve its vision. For the past three years, Brooke has been the "go to" person for organizing a variety of craft fairs in Weeping Water, including the Chamber of Commerce's "Limestone Days" celebration in June, RAWW's "Party on the Rocks" fall celebration, and the Chamber's "Home for the Holidays" celebration in December. Her work with each craft fair involves being in regular contact throughout the year with more than 50 vendors and food trucks who come from all over the area. She is in charge of helping to advertise the event, plotting out and setting up appropriate spaces for each vendor and truck, being present during the entire event to answer questions and address problems, and staying afterwards to clean up and recruit vendors for the next show.
The craft fair's numbers have been steadily expanding under her guidance, with more vendors attending and returning each year because of Brooke's organization and personality. Brooke is a "one-woman army" who not only voluntarily agrees to take on all this work, but does it with a smile!
