How “Omaha” are you?

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:25 pm

I thought this might be a topic to have a little fun with and to get to know each other better circa 2022..

For yours truly-

I was born at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. I was baptized at St Johns Greek Orthodox Church in Omaha. I was a product of Omaha public schools and a Burke High graduate. I finished my college education at UNO. And I currently reside in Omaha..

How Omaha are you? It can be a little or a lot

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

mgoett · Post by **mgoett** » Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:10 pm

I moved here in 1979. Graduated from Bryan High in 1986, joined the navy for four years and returned to Omaha in 1990. I have been a lurker on eomahaforums for about twenty years.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:11 am

My ancestors first moved into Winter Quarters. A second branch has three generations buried in a pioneer cemetery by Boystown.

I was born at Methodist, lived in Benson, went to Clifton Hill school and then moved to Millard, and graduated there. UNL, then UNMC, then away for residency and fellowship, back in 91. Here since.

SunMan · Post by **SunMan** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:45 am

I was born at Offutt AFB. I lived in various locales in the U.S. and overseas as an Air Force brat. In between assignments, I lived in Omaha. Attended Train elementary school off and on. We came back to Omaha for good in the middle of my sophomore year and I graduated from South High. I worked for the City of Omaha for many years. I am now retired and live in Ralston.

jomaha9 · Post by **jomaha9** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:46 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:25 pm I thought this might be a topic to have a little fun with and to get to know each other better circa 2022..

For yours truly-

I was born at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. I was baptized at St Johns Greek Orthodox Church in Omaha. I was a product of Omaha public schools and a Burke High graduate. I finished my college education at UNO. And I currently reside in Omaha..

How Omaha are you? It can be a little or a lot …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I'm a member of St John's and was baptized there too! Perhaps we know each other by real names outside the forum?!?

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:54 am

Grandparents moved to Omaha in 1912, parents born in Omaha, I was born at the old Methodist Hospital on Cuming, went to Western Hills, Lewis & Clark, Central 1976, Beth El Synagogue, UNL 1980.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:38 am

Love hearing about everyone's connections with Omaha. I am 'new' to the community. Moved here a little over 10 years ago for grad school, but all my kids have been born in Omaha. I had no connections to Omaha and 'learned' about it through reading a bunch of "best in the country" lists that Omaha was/is on back in 2012.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 1:24 pm

jomaha9 wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:46 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 06, 2022 4:25 pm I thought this might be a topic to have a little fun with and to get to know each other better circa 2022..

For yours truly-

I was born at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. I was baptized at St Johns Greek Orthodox Church in Omaha. I was a product of Omaha public schools and a Burke High graduate. I finished my college education at UNO. And I currently reside in Omaha..

How Omaha are you? It can be a little or a lot …

Ciao..LiO…Peace
I'm a member of St John's and was baptized there too! Perhaps we know each other by real names outside the forum?!?

That is very possible

..

Send me a PM if you’d like…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 1:27 pm

ita wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:38 am Love hearing about everyone's connections with Omaha. I am 'new' to the community. Moved here a little over 10 years ago for grad school, but all my kids have been born in Omaha. I had no connections to Omaha and 'learned' about it through reading a bunch of "best in the country" lists that Omaha was/is on back in 2012.

I agree. Thanks to everyone so far. Some great stuff here..

And I’d say, ita, after 10 years here, you’re about as 100% “Omaha” as any of us

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

stadsborgare · Post by **stadsborgare** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:11 pm

I was born at Clarkson Hospital. I grew up in Omaha, and except for a few short stints, pretty much lived here all my life.

My parents came by way of Stanton, IA (my father) and Hastings, NE (my mother) and they both established their professional careers in Omaha, so is why I was born and raised here.

I went to Northwest High School and went to college at UNO. So I'm very "Omaha" - except I root for UNL sports teams.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:32 pm

I grew up in the Chicago area, went to Iowa State and moved to Omaha in 1985, been here for 36 years straight. I was somewhat disappointed in the skyline when I first saw it, but always thought the downtown had great potential, which we are seeing now.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 12:09 am

I emerged from my mother's womb upside down with a toothpick in my mouth - presumably because I didn't want to smell her but hole - and I too was born at Clarkson Hospital. Kinda surprising in hindsight because I'm pretty young. According to my mom, she ate at the Don & Millie's on Saddle Creek with her sister after the appointment she had to find out I was raising heII in her belly, which explains why I have a fondness for Saddle Creek, cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and margaritas in general. I went to Hillside Elementary, Westside Middle, then Westside High. I was only a block away from being an OPS product. I worked as a welder for a short time after high school, and that sucked. Then I went back to school to study nutrition starting at MCC, and bounced between South and Fort campuses for classes. During my time in college, I lived at 42nd & Davenport, 41st & Burt, 43rd & Parker, 38th & Hamilton, then 48th & Capitol. I now have resided somewhere northeast of 72nd & Maple for about 7 years. Interestingly, Omaha is my first, middle, and last name.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 12:58 pm

Born in Sioux Falls, lived around there 22 yrs, then Wyoming for 21 yrs and moved to Omaha in Nov 2002 to take a teaching job. When looking for a new teaching job, someone said have you applied in Omaha - I replied ‘I don’t think I have ever been to Omaha’. Moved to Omaha, not knowing anyone — retired May 2019 and moved to Land o Lakes, FL.

Oh and currently TODAY - Omaha and LOL are the same temp. 54°, overcast and drizzling.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:07 pm

I was the first Nebraskan in my family, born at Clarkson here in Omaha (my Dad was from Kansas City, my brothers and sisters were born there, Mom was from Liverpool England). Baptized and confirmed at St Margaret Mary.

I am an OPS kid. Very proud graduate of Omaha Central (my kids go there now). Went to UNL and graduated from there. I have traveled a lot for work including living for months at a time elsewhere but have always made Omaha my home.

Grew up off 68th and Dodge. We've lived in NW Omaha since 2003 (151st between Fort and Ida).

Greg

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:40 pm

Man, it sounds like I'm relatively un-Omaha compared to some of you. I was born at Methodist Hospital to Lincoln natives who moved to Omaha about five years prior. I attended Millard Public Schools which of course are in Omaha now but weren't always. Looking at the boundaries of Omaha on Google Maps, the two subdivisions I lived in growing up both continue to be in unincorporated Douglas County. So I guess by that metric, I've never actually lived in the City of Omaha.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:07 pm

Born at Methodist I believe, grew up near 168th and Center in one of the older neighborhoods despite being so far west, and watching the area develop from cornfields definitely sparked my interest in urban development. Went to Millard North, though now haven't lived in Omaha since 2013, I'm still quite obsessed with Omaha development.

zippy · Post by **zippy** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:46 pm

My grandmother was from Nebraska City and moved to Omaha when she got married. I was born at OLD St Joe's and grew up near Sunset Hills (93rd and Pine). Graduated from Prep in '79 and worked a number of random jobs and attended random schools until settling down in '85. Graduated from Bellevue University. Currently living about a mile south of Heartwood Preserve.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:25 pm

I'm so Omaha I didn't stop apologizing until the Qwest Center was built.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:26 pm

I mean, I'm so Omaha when I drink beer it goes in as Heineken and comes out as Falstaff.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:41 pm

zippy wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:46 pm “Graduated from Prep in '79”

Are you also a Grad from Alex Payne? You are not the only from around here, I am also a ‘79 Prep grad…

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 8:27 am

Coyote wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:41 pm
zippy wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:46 pm
“Graduated from Prep in '79”
Are you also a Grad from Alex Payne? You are not the only from around here, I am also a ‘79 Prep grad…

Even though I’m not a Prep grad, I am also a ‘79 grad from Omaha Burke. We have at least 3 1979 grads here..

Time flies

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 8:42 am

Born at Childrens but raised in Cass County. I moved here after college (UNL) in 2012 and have lived in a few parts now. Midtown, Benson, West Maple, Millard, Keystone and now Dundee. I'd always wanted to live in Dundee, my mother was raised here and driving through the neighborhoods, I was always taken by the unique houses. Been at least lurking on the forum since the mid 2000s.

zippy · Post by **zippy** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:20 am

Coyote wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:41 pm
zippy wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:46 pm “Graduated from Prep in '79”
Are you also a Grad from Alex Payne? You are not the only from around here, I am also a ‘79 Prep grad…

Yes, I remember Alex from Jazz band (and most likely a class or two?).

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:12 pm

zippy wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:20 am
Coyote wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:41 pm
zippy wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:46 pm “Graduated from Prep in '79”
Are you also a Grad from Alex Payne? You are not the only from around here, I am also a ‘79 Prep grad…
Yes, I remember Alex from Jazz band (and most likely a class or two?).

The Alexander Payne connections continue. I’ve known Alex since we were both 11 years old and Alter Boys in our church…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:41 pm

Boy, I'm learning a lot here... I think I'm supposed to hate you all haha.

EastCB · Post by **EastCB** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 5:12 pm

Well, technically, I don't live in Omaha now but I have lived there longer than some on the forum. I was born and raised in rural Pottawattamie County and graduated from a small high school there. After graduating I attended ISU for 2 years and then took a break and moved to Omaha to get married to my high school sweetheart. She was attending nursing school and we lived in the Hanscom Park area. After she graduated we moved back to Ames and I finished my degree. I worked for the State of Iowa for a year and we decided we wanted to be back in the Omaha area. Got a job and moved to Grand Island for 15 years. lol Moved back to Omaha in 1985 got divorced in 1991. Lived in Millard around 156th and Harrison. Moved to CB in 1998. Thought about moving to Seattle when i retired but am still here. But I do get to spend a lot of time there as my youngest son moved there after graduating from ISU.

mrsticka · Post by **mrsticka** » Wed Feb 09, 2022 5:57 pm

My parents moved to Omaha in the spring of 1984. My dad got transferred there after working at AT&T up in Bismarck, ND. I was born at Methodist Hospital on August 1st that year. The Summer Olympics were going on and my parents decided to name me after an Olympic athlete. One of them was named Sam. I forget his name, but I just know that he won his race.

We lived in Omaha from 1984 to 1992. We lived on X Street just off of 108th. On Saturday mornings, we'd go out for breakfast at the Garden Cafe in Rockbrook. Sometimes afterwards, we'd mall rat at Westroads. This was before they had a food court.

My dad worked at Lincoln Telephone for a year, then he got fired and took a job at Norstan in Omaha. That's where he worked until we left in 1992 and moved up to Spokane, WA. My mom stayed at home and took care of us and the house.

I went to Cody Elementary for preschool, Cottonwood for kindergarten, Bryan for 1st grade and Ackerman for 2nd. I kept switching schools. When I switched to Ackerman in 2nd grade, I started getting tired of switching schools. My older brother Luke went to Disney Elementary. He was there from kindergarten to 4th grade. He stayed there the whole entire time. He never switched schools. My younger brother Stan went to preschool at Cody like I did. My sister Lisa never went to school in Omaha. She was too young. She didn't start going to school until after we moved to Spokane.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 10:10 am

Moved from KC in 1975 (week after the blizzard). Up to that point, fam had moved more than anyone I know who wasn't DoD. Except for 16 months in Dallas 82-83, I've been here ever since.

Lived for 2 years in the apartments behind Baker Square, then moved to Echo Hills near Chalco. Mom still lives there. I went to Millard (no direction) HS. Year at UNO until I decided that making a living in my chosen field (volcanology) was a non-starter unless I wanted a career in academia or the government.

I'm 60 y/o. By the time I'm 70, I hope to be in a Houston suburb and leave a handsomely-appreciated home for my children when I croak. I have no emotional attachment to Omaha--three out of four parents have passed, my mom has dementia. And my wife is in bad shape. My job can be WFH so it doesn't matter where I am. Houston winters > Omaha winters and I love heat/humidity besides.

lisanstan · Post by **lisanstan** » Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:58 pm

I moved to Omaha in 2005. It was my first time coming to the Midwest. I love it here. We have paid off our house and plan to live here until we are no more. I'm an Omahan by choice, which can't be said by a lot of people born and raised here.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Thu Feb 17, 2022 10:27 am

Not very Omaha at all, but very Nebraskan. My great grandfather moved to southeast Nebraska around 1926 where my grandfather was born and died. I grew up there as well and Omaha was always the fun city to visit in the 80s and 90s. So much more to do than rural Nebraska. I moved here in 2004 and have set up a family of my own.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 8:44 am

Just wanted to bump this thread and say I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses here thus far..

If anyone else wants to, feel free to jump in…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

mchine73 · Post by **mchine73** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:56 pm

I'll jump in. I'm not the most active but follow the forum fairly regularly. Born at "New" St Joes. Went to public schools in Millard specifically Walt Disney and Millard Central. Attended Prep, graduated from Creighton, and now going for a masters at UNO. My mother lives in Florence, I lived on 36th and Dodge (in those townhomes), and currently live on Fontenelle Blvd a few blocks south of Holy Name.

mrsticka · Post by **mrsticka** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 11:04 pm

I remember when I was a little kid and we lived in Omaha, I saw the license plates on my parents' vehicles and they had the "1" prefix for Douglas County. I never thought anything about it. At the time, I had no idea it was a county code.

We Don’t Coast · Post by **We Don’t Coast** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:30 pm

Great thread idea. We’re Omaha born, educated and currently live. With all the development going on in Omaha, this is such a great time to be living here. Omaha is coming into its own.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:37 pm

How “Omaha” am I?
I jumped off the blue tower at the Peony Park Pool.
I remember going to Millard every weekend and the corner gas station on 132 & Dodge was half way to Millard in the 80's
I had birthday parties at W.C. Franks on 90th Maple in the 80's
Had Cheeseburgers at Danny's (72 & Blondo) and Paddy's (69 & Maple) in the 80's
I worked at the Baker's on 72 & Blondo in the 90's
I played Space Ball at Family Fun Center on Dodge.
I watched the Lancers in their first game at Aksarben

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:39 pm

Now Brad, that is about as “Omaha” as it gets

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:45 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:39 pm Now Brad, that is about as “Omaha” as it gets …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Oh, and I forgot... Mister C's... Gotta Love the Christmas Lights!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:51 pm

Brad wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:45 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:39 pm Now Brad, that is about as “Omaha” as it gets …

Ciao..LiO…Peace
Oh, and I forgot... Mister C's... Gotta Love the Christmas Lights!

I remember eating there numerous times when I was a kid too!..

I’d add to your Baker’s comment- I’m so Omaha, I can remember going to the Baker’s store at 132nd and West Center very often and saw Mr. Baker there almost every time we went in the mid 70’s. I have fond memories of phone ordering breakfast and lunch at their restaurant inside the store..the food was solid good too…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Brad** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:01 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:51 pm I’d add to your Baker’s comment- I’m so Omaha, I can remember going to the Baker’s store at 132nd and West Center very often and saw Mr. Baker there almost every time we went in the mid 70’s. I have fond memories of phone ordering breakfast and lunch at their restaurant inside the store..the food was solid good too…

72 & Blondo had the Phone Ordering System too.

132 & Center ("Baker Square" AKA "The Square") was the flagship store store for a number of years. It was shortly after that store opened that Baker's took over the title as Number 1 Supermarket in Omaha. I believe it was taken from Hinkey Dinkey. Jack Baker announced the #1 status too all the Store Directors in the Baker Square restaurant.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:58 am

Brad wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:01 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:51 pm I’d add to your Baker’s comment- I’m so Omaha, I can remember going to the Baker’s store at 132nd and West Center very often and saw Mr. Baker there almost every time we went in the mid 70’s. I have fond memories of phone ordering breakfast and lunch at their restaurant inside the store..the food was solid good too…
72 & Blondo had the Phone Ordering System too.

132 & Center ("Baker Square" AKA "The Square") was the flagship store store for a number of years. It was shortly after that store opened that Baker's took over the title as Number 1 Supermarket in Omaha. I believe it was taken from Hinkey Dinkey. Jack Baker announced the #1 status too all the Store Directors in the Baker Square restaurant.

I think this is definitely relevant to how “Omaha” we are..back in the 70’s into the 80’s, Baker’s and Hinky-Dinky were close supermarket competitors..and Safeway was also in Omaha those days too (they didn’t pull out of the Omaha market until 1985)..

I remember as a kid, once that Baker’s Square location opened in the mid 70’s, that was my parents top choice for grocery shopping…

Ciao..LiO…Peace