Diana Lambdin Meyer - Nebraska Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun

South-central Nebraska is the land that inspired Pulitzer Prize winner Willa Cather to write: There was nothing but land: not a country at all, but the material out of which countries are made. This is the land that draws the worlds largest concentration of sandhill cranes; up to a half million birds come to the Platte River area in the late winter months. This is the land that saw the passing of immigrants on the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail, who watched as Pony Express riders raced across the lands. This is where Kool-Aid was created and one-of-a-kind museums, historic forts, water recreation, a round barn, and memorabilia from Hollywood stars such as Henry Fonda and David Janssen await your visit.

Sherman Reservoir, in northeast Sherman County, is popular with boaters, anglers, and campers. There are 65 miles of shoreline, and there is a surface area of nearly 3,000 acres. Drainage areas off the main reservoir provide bays and coves with outstanding fishing opportunities. Walleye fishing is good in the spring, largemouth bass and crappie are good from mid-spring to early summer, and summer brings bites from white bass and catfish. Recreation sites scattered around the reservoir have primitive camping, day-use facilities, drinking water, vault toilets, and shelters. Sherman Reservoir is a good place to get away from it all. It is 4 miles east and 1 mile north of Loup City from Highway 92. A park permit is required. The telephone number is (308) 745-0230; outdoornebraska.gov/Sherman.

Heres an interesting historical fact: Loup City, near the Sherman Reservoir at the junction of Highways 58, 92, and 10 in Sherman County, was the site of a Depression-era farm strike led by the famous Communist organizer Ella Reeve Mother Bloor. On June 14, 1934, violence erupted when rumors spread that female poultry workers at the Fairmont Creamery Plant might strike for higher wages. The Communist group and local supporters clashed with its local non-supporters. The resulting fines and jail sentences levied upon Mother Bloor and her group marked the end of this attempt to organize farmers and workers in Nebraska.

From Loup City take Highway 58 south 12 miles to Rockville. Stop in for a cold one and a meal at Janes Tavern. Theyve been serving catfish for many years and lobster for fewer years. Its the lobsters that have transformed Rockville into the Lobster Capital of Nebraska. In the mid-1990s the Rasmussen brothers decided to order up a great big batch of lobsters for a special celebration. That event has become Rockstock, and it draws nearly 3,500 people to feast on Maine lobster on the first Saturday in August. Not bad for a town of 105 people. Then everyone dances the night away at a lively street dance. The phone number at Janes Tavern is (308) 372-7275.

Coney Island Lunch Room

104 East Third St.

Grand Island

(308) 382-7155

Fort Kearney Museum

131 South Central Ave.

Kearney

(308) 234-5200

Harold Warp Pioneer Village

junction of Highways 6, 34, and 10

Minden

(308) 832-2750, 832-1181 or (800) 445-4447

pioneervillage.org

Hastings Museum, Planetarium and Theater

1330 North Burlington Ave.

Hastings

(402) 461-4629

hastingsmuseum.org

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

junction of Highways 34 and 281

Grand Island

(308) 385-5316

stuhrmuseum.org

Willa Cathers Home

tours start from 326 North Webster

Red Cloud

(402) 746-2653

St. Paul is where you can find the best homemade pies this side of the Mississippi. Stop in at a little cafe called the Sweet Shoppe and sink your teeth into a slice of heaven. The fruit pies are quite delicious, but the very best are the sour-cream raisin and the coconut cream. Be sure to thank baker Alice for her magic ways with pies. By all means have a hearty meal, but leave room for pie! The Sweet Shoppe is located at 605 Howard Ave. The hours are Mon through Fri from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sat and Sun from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The telephone number is (308) 754-4900.

For a grand slam, check out the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball, at 619 Howard Ave., which has displays on Nebraskas seven inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame. These include Wahoo Sam Crawford, Bob Hoot Gibson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Arthur Dazzy Vance, Don Richie Ashurn, and Wade Boggs. The latest inductee is Billy Southworth, who was born in Harvard, Nebraska. Open all year Mon through Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On summer weekends open Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun 1 to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted with gratitude. The museum is at 619 Howard Avenue, 2 blocks north of the Howard County Historical Village. The village itself is pretty cool; theres even an outhouse built by the WPA. For more information call (308) 754-5558.

As you drive south of St. Paul on Highway 281, youll be nearing St. Libory and another gift from heaventhe St. Libory melon. On both approaches to town, youll see roadside fruit and vegetable stands: Helgoths Roadside Market, the St. Libory Melon Market, and Kosmickis Market. Stop and buy some of the legendary melons during the summer and fall. People come from miles away to make these melons their own. You should, too.

Grand Island, with a population of just under 51,000, is Nebraskas third-largest community, unless you consider the 76,000 fans who attend home football games at the University of NebraskaLincoln a community. Located on I-80, at exits 318 and 312 in Hall County, Grand Island offers a grand time to travelers.

First of all, please do not miss the opportunity to eat at the Coney Island Lunch Room. This downtown diner, at 104 East Third St., is a step across time, with old-fashioned hot dogs topped with mustard, onions, and chili sauce. The cafe has been tempting taste buds since George Katrouzos bought the place in 1933, and his son and grandchildren continue the tradition of great food at great prices. They sell up to 350 dogs on an average Saturday and many more when people are home during the holidays. They also make mouthwatering chili. On a poignant note, former resident Charlie Hunts daughter fulfilled his dying wish when she arranged for Coney Island to ship some much-loved chili to her dad in California. Other favorites at the cafe are the creamy malts and shakes. Coney Island is cheerfully decorated in red, pink, and white, and it seats about fifty people in the original wooden booths or at the counter. The cafe also serves breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and salads, but if this is your first or only chance to be here, order the dog, the chili, or both. Take-out is available, too. If you have a cooler in your vehicle, consider buying a pint or quart of the chili and the Coney sauce to go. Coney Island is open Mon through Fri from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The telephone number is (308) 382-7155.

After enjoying that fabulous Coney Island dog, chili, shakes, and more, waddle down the street to the Studio K Art Gallery at 112 West Third St. This cooperative represents the work of about twenty-five Midwestern artists, most of them from Nebraska. The K in the name stands for Karen Neppl, who is one of those artists. Youll find everything from fine fiber art and wearable art to some wonderful pottery and ceramics. Personally, I fell in love with the repurposed furniture by Donna Ryan. She rummages around flea markets and garage sales for trash furniture pieces and turns them into remarkable works of art. You just have to see it. Prairie Winds hosts a number of special events and launched a First Fridays art walk during warm weather months. You can take classes here in almost any medium. Located in the old bank building that dates back to 1889, Prairie Winds has been given much of the credit for revitalizing downtown Grand Island. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues through Sat. It doesnt cost anything to look, but Ill bet you wont be able to resist buying something here. Call (308) 381-4001. You can also order online at studiokartgallery.com.