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Lincoln shoppers skittish as they venture forth without mask mandate

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Mask policy changes

Produce manager Bryan Hubert stocks tomatoes Monday at the Super Saver near 48th and O streets. Most employers have dropped mask mandates for employees who are fully vaccinated.

Mask policy changes

Shad and Samantha Beman shop for groceries Monday at the Super Saver near 48th and O streets. After the city’s mask mandate ended Friday, shoppers are readjusting to life bare-faced in the retail world.

Mask policy changes

Dawn Wixson and her mom, Rita Wixson, shop for groceries Monday at the Super Saver near 48th and O streets. 

Cindy Lange-Kubick

As we start removing masks, some people might feel a loss of safety. Licenses clinical psychologist Dr. Lina Perl offers a few tips on how to address that anxiety

It wasn’t quite what I expected inside the bright welcoming world of Target, COVID-19 cases dwindling, the mask mandate over and done.

I figured I’d see some covered faces and I understood why, but I thought the vaccinated throngs would be rejoicing Friday and, if not high-fiving in the bedding aisle, at least nodding and smiling.

You know, a shared sense of Viva la Lincoln!

Instead, we seemed skittish and unsure, visitors in a foreign land trying to figure out the customs and just how Chip and Joanna Gaines managed to commandeer an entire section of Texas-inspired crap in the middle of the store. (And if the store mannequins had always been devoid of facial features or was some sick marketing firm messing with us?)

The coming-out party was a combination of “good and weird,” KLIN radio host Jack Mitchell noted on Twitter. One that was hard to describe.

Kiley Ward agrees.

“It was really kind of strange just to go to all those places,” said Ward, who made his way into the retail world with a bare face Friday.

He felt fine mask-free on a visit to Menard’s, Ward said. He felt less fine stopping for take-out in a small BBQ joint and kept his distance, wondering how he was being perceived by his fellow citizens.

He was excited pushing a shopping cart at Super Saver and emotional seeing an actual smile from a “sweet old lady,” who needed help hauling down a couple of 2-liter bottles of pop.

But there was still that wary vibe between the Masked and the Unmasked.

“I just wanted to say ‘I’m vaccinated. I’m a good guy.’”

The science tells him he’s safe, he said. And that’s good enough for him.

Cindy Lange-Kubick: Son clutches Dad’s red pillow to his heart and wears a scar to match

It was good enough for Kevin James, too, who walked into Target with all his facial features on display Monday, followed by his masked wife, Kelly, and their three masked kids, Austin, 15, Abigail, 10, and Addison, 7.

Kevin shed his mask as soon as he got the green light from public health officials.

“I’m there,” he said. “My wife is just a little more cautious than I am.”

Their teenager has one shot down and the second on the way, but the younger two are not yet eligible, so caution seems sensible, Kelly said.

“And I want to be a role model for them.”

The James family seems fine dwelling in Do As You See Fit territory.

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As am I. Plenty of friends and acquaintances are worried about variants, their children or their own (and their loved ones’) compromised immune systems. They aren’t shedding their masks anytime soon. I support them.

As my Target clerk told me at checkout: Everyone got the memo. It’s up to them.

Cindy Lange-Kubick: Ripping off the masks and what comes after

Eric Herbert got the memo from city hall and another from his bosses at Nelnet. That one said employees who were vaccinated were free to forget their masks at home when they returned to the office on May 17.

“We’re supporting a hybrid workforce,” said the information technologies director. “If you’ve fallen in love with being at home and are productive, we support that.”

Herbert is an extrovert, so he’s back in the office at least three days a week. (His introverted wife is happy to keep working in solitude.)

He loves the energy of the office, Herbert said. Running into co-workers and having a chat. “Those happy accidents don’t happen at home.”

But they’re happening now.

Life is starting to feel ever more normal, he said Monday.

“Three of us went out to lunch today. It was kind of like a high school reunion.”

Gov. Pete Ricketts is ready for that reunion. Nebraska is Back in Business, he declared.

Ward and his wife, Kashoan, are ready.

They own Krafty Kash Designs — lovely handcrafted jewelry — and lost their pre-pandemic legs when the craft fairs and markets they traveled to were canceled in 2020.

Visitors to Lincoln woman’s backyard have one question: When’s your farmers market opening?

They’ll be showing their wares June 5 at Makit Takit, another small Lincoln business.

“I’m super excited,” Kiley Ward said. “This is going to allow our business to get going again.”

The couple remain happy to have done their part during the pandemic by keeping their distance and covering up their faces in crowded places.

Those masks that fogged up Kashoan’s glasses and overheated Kiley’s bearded face?

“I’m sure glad I don’t have to wear it,” Kiley Ward said. “I hope to tuck mine in the back of a drawer and leave it there forever.”

Photos: The scene in Lincoln with much of city shut down

Finals week

Finals week

A lone University of Nebraska-Lincoln prepares for a final with a start time of 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Henzlik Hall. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Co-teaching

Co-teaching

leads the in-person students aas Miranda Orellana leads the remote learners via zoom as the pair co-teach a fifth grade math lesson on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Lakeview Elementary. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

City Council distancing

City Council distancing

Chairs for the public at the City Council meeting are seen wrapped up in plastic bags to encourage social distancing on Nov. 23 at County-City Building. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Gameday empty Saturday

Gameday empty Saturday

A crane used for construction of the Lied Place on Q street flies an American and Husker flag before the Nebraska versus Penn State game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Thank you Bryan West

Thank you Bryan West

DeEtta Mayrose (right) greeted employees arriving for an evening shift of Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, during a Thank-You event for health care workers at Bryan Medical Center – West Campus. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

No fans allowed

No fans allowed

Kathryn Goertzen and Kurt Goertzen watch the television screen on the northwest side of Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Husker cutouts

Husker cutouts

Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Arena cleaning

Arena cleaning

Mitch Sweeney sprays the seats during cleaning in between state volleyball tournament games on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Volleyball social distancing

Volleyball social distancing

Wahoo fans are seen spaced out from one group to the next during the first round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Skeleton signs

Skeleton signs

Skeletons outside of a South Lincoln home encourage residents to go vote in the upcoming election on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

Shae Center (from left) give out candies to Payton Jones, 6, as the family Bre Jones, Carson Jones, and Miles Jones, 3, go trick-or-treat during Boo at the Zoo at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Football Saturday

Football Saturday

Nebraska fans cheer on the Huskers while watching the Ohio State game on the Cube in the Railyard on Oct. 24.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

YMCA closed

YMCA closed

The YMCA on 11th and P streets is closed until further notice on Thursday, Oct, 22, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Downtown mask art

Downtown mask art

Pop-art ads encourage patrons downtown to wear masks on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Marching band competition

Marching band competition

Lincoln Pius X saxophonists compete during The LPS Marching Band Showcase at Seacrest Field the on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Outdoor seating

Outdoor seating

University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior Joel Smith packs up his bag at a newly created seating areas under tents at Nebraska Union, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

East Campus proposed budget cuts

East Campus proposed budget cuts

University of Nebraska junior Emma Fritz works on hard draping using a half-scale model in Draping Class in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, part of the College of Education and Human Sciences, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Flu shots

Flu shots

Poppy Massing, 11, gets vaccinated by Barb Martinez, a public health nurse at Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, during a vaccine clinic at Lefler Middle School, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Coronavirus Bible

Coronavirus Bible

The Rev. Thomas Dummermuth started a project in quarantine to put together a handwritten Bible where people around Nebraska would write chapters of the Bible by hand. He was inspired by a church in his home county of Switzerland that had the idea. “It is beautiful work that people send in; some of it is just amazing,” Dummermuth said. 

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Anti-mask rally

Anti-mask rally

Demonstrators protest the mask mandate in front of the Capitol on Monday, Sept. 7.

JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star

No Football Saturday

No Football Saturday

Four-year-old Avery Rider and her brother Julian, 7, of Omaha play around with the Bob Devaney statue as they pose for pictures for their parents, Melissa and Aaron, on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Memorial Stadium. The family, who had tickets for the home opener that would have been Sept. 5, walked around the stadium, which had few visitors. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

DMV lines

DMV lines

People wait their turn in a socially distant line outside the Department of Motor Vehicles’ 46th Street office Monday, Aug. 31, the deadline to get registrations renewed.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

UNL in-person class

UNL in-person class

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students attend a class in masks on the first day of in-person classes on Aug. 24. UNL announced Monday it plans to officially begin its spring semester on Jan. 25.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

Iguana’s Pub

Iguana's Pub

Customers wait outside of Iguana’s Pub on O Street on Friday, Aug. 21.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Farmers Market influencers

Farmers Market influencers

Jordan Gonzales walks through the Haymarket Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 22, handing out stickers, masks and wristbands encouraging others to wear masks and practice social distancing. Gonzales is part of a group of about 25 ambassadors involved in the “LNK is Greater Than” marketing campaign organized by Archrival. “We just want to give some positive reinforcement to those who are wearing masks, letting them know that they are doing the right thing,” Gonzales said.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Remote learning

Remote learning

Belmont Elementary School first grade teacher Hailey Greene balances her iPad on her knees in order for remote learners on Zoom and students in the class to be able to follow along during a lesson on Aug. 21.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Weeping Water vs. Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan

Weeping Water vs. Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan

Weeping Water players gather before a game against Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Doris Bair Complex.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

City Council

City Council

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Director Pat Lopez attends a City Council meeting on her permanent appointment on Monday, Aug. 17. Ben Madsen, owner of Madsen’s Bowling and Billiards, is pictured in the background at a hearing where he opposed her appointment.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

First day of middle school

First day of middle school

A double-pump hand sanitizer station built at the University of Nebraska’s Innovation Campus sits outside the lunchroom at Dawes Middle School on Thursday, Aug. 13, the first day of school for middle school students.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Ukulele Class

Ukulele Class

Jeff and Marie King of Lincoln play with the class on the rock formation on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Stransky Park. For the past month, students in SCC’s Continuing Education’s Intro to the Ukulele class have been learning how to play the instrument via Zoom. 

FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR

First day of school

First day of school

Students at Wysong Elementary keep their distance from each other as they enter the lunchroom on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 12.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Pius X volleyball practice

Pius X volleyball practice

Lincoln Pius X players listen to head coach Katie Wenz as she explains drills during the first day of fall practice Aug. 10, at Pius X. 

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Madsen’s

Madsen's

The Lincoln Police Department on Saturday morning, Aug. 8, enforced the city health department’s order to close Madsen’s Bowling & Billiards, blocking all entrances to the business with police cruisers.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

House of Flowers delivery

House of Flowers delivery

DeAnna Stewart loads bouquets of flowers into her car at the House of Flowers to deliver to a customer. House of Flowers is Lincoln’s oldest flower shop, dating back to 1908. 

PHOTO BY KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

City Council BLM protest

City Council BLM protest

Caleb Petersen (right) uses buckets to drum alongside others during a rally outside of the County-City Building while the Lincoln City Council met inside on Monday, Aug. 3.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

LPS Protest

LPS Protest

Parent and Lincoln Public Schools teacher Ellen James (center), dressed as the Grim Reaper, holds a sign in front of the state Capitol on Monday, Aug. 3, as protesters called for more safety protocols before reopening schools.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Beach Boys

Beach Boys

A couple sits in a row while wearing face coverings before the Beach Boys performance at Pinewood Bowl on Sunday, Aug. 2. Seating at the concert was set up to follow social distancing guidelines.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Rally and hearing

Rally and hearing

Terrell McKinney sits behind a row of marked off chairs during a hearing on bill LB1222 hosted by Sen. Justin Wayne at the state Capitol on Friday, July 31. Only 20 people were allowed into the hearing chamber at a time while all others had to wait outside for their turn

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Lancaster County Super Fair

Lancaster County Super Fair

Noah Jelinek, 14, with Amazing Treasures 4-H, shows his American Plymouth Rock chicken to judge Tom Brubaker as the Lancaster County Super Fair got underway on Thursday, July 30. There were no rides or shows this year.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

LPS board meeting

LPS board meeting

Kristi Molina, a Lincoln North Star High School teacher, holds a sign outside the Lincoln Public Schools offices ahead of a school board meeting Tuesday, July 28.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Meatpacking workers rally

Meatpacking workers rally

Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha speaks at a rally to support protections for meatpacking workers on the north steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, July 28.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Legislature

Legislature

Floor debate on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Nebraska State Capitol. 

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Lincoln Northeast graduation

Lincoln Northeast graduation

Graduates wave and blow kisses to family members in the seats above during Lincoln Northeast’s graduation ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, July 24.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gov. Ricketts address Legislature

Gov. Ricketts address Legislature

Gov. Pete Ricketts puts his mask back on after addressing the Legislature on Friday, July 24.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Mask

Mask

Jane Erickson carries grocery items out of A Street Market on Tuesday, July 21. As of Monday, a health measure from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department requires people to wear a face covering indoors with some exceptions, including for children under age 5.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Legislature resumes

Legislature resumes

Charlie Klingler (left) takes the temperature of Sen. Dan Quick as Quick prepares to enter the legislative chamber Monday, July 20, at the Capitol.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Girls basketball

Girls basketball

Lincoln Northeast head coach Charity Iromuanya cleans basketballs with a disinfectant solution after players put them away during open gym practice at Lincoln Northeast on Friday, July 10.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Masked Archie the Mammoth

Masked Archie the Mammoth

Archie the mammoth at the University of Nebraska State Museum is masked up on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR

First Jury Trial in Four Months

First Jury Trial in Four Months

Wearing a face shield, Lancaster County Attorney Erica Pruess (right) prepares for a case at the Lancaster County Hall of Justice on Thursday, July 9, 2020, during the first jury trial in four months. 

FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR

Lincoln Community Playhouse

Lincoln Community Playhouse

Amy Koepke as Prudence Purewater (left) and Marie Barrett as Hazel Hoochater perform Wednesday, July 1, during a rehearsal for the upcoming Parking Lot Plays at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

The Kindler Hotel

The Kindler Hotel

Fabiola Delacruz cleans a seating area in the lobby of The Kindler Hotel on Tuesday before it reopens Wednesday, July 1.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Garth Brooks Drive-In Concert

Garth Brooks Drive-In Concert

Stephanie Carpenter and Justin Doyle dance the two-step as Silas Creek performs at the Garth Brooks drive-in concert Saturday, June 27, at the Lancaster Event Center.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

Naturalization ceremony

Naturalization ceremony

Chief Judge John M. Gerrard of the U.S. District Court conducts a naturalization ceremony on June 22 at the Chief Standing Bear statue on Centennial Mall. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Urban Air Adventure Park

Urban Air Adventure Park

Allison Franks cleans equipment while wearing a mandatory face shield at the Urban Air Adventure Center on Saturday, June 20, 2020. 

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Juneteenth

Juneteenth

Hundreds gathered for the Juneteenth celebration at the Lincoln Indian Center on Friday, June 19.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gere Branch Library

Gere Branch Library

Hillary Umland, a library service associate, grabs a book bundle for pickup at Gere Branch Library on Tuesday, June 16.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Music on the Move

Music on the Move

Mascha Miedaner (left) takes in the performance of guitarist and singer Orion Walsh (center), who played a variety of songs from Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to Oasis via “Music on the Move,” a bicycle-powered stage driven by Dan Warren (right), which visited the East Campus neighborhood Saturday, June 13.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

Pool Reopenings

Pool Reopenings

Lifeguard Tyler Akins disinfects a chair at Fallbrook YMCA swimming pool on Thursday, June 11.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Judiciary Committee

Judiciary Committee

Members of Legislature’s Judiciary Committee spent two days in early June listening to speakers talk about systemic racism and law enforcement policies and practices during sessions in Omaha and Lincoln.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

Bars Opening in Lincoln

Bars Opening in Lincoln

Dan Hartong of Lincoln cools off with a beer last June at W.C.’s South Sports Bar. Drinks to go have helped restaurants and bars that serve food the opportunity to stay afloat during the pandemic.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

LPS Teachers Retirement

LPS Teachers Retirement

Longtime East High football and baseball coach and Scott Middle School teacher Bill Kechely waves to a well-wisher at his drive-by retirement party May 28.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Holmes Lake Manor Horse Visit

Holmes Lake Manor Horse Visit

Having grown up with horses in Glenwood, Iowa, Edwin Johnson was happy to see Jewel, a 30-something Arabian mare who made a visit to his window with owner Sheila Carroll of Lincoln last May at Holmes Lake Rehabilitation & Care Center. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Lancaster County Courthouse

Lancaster County Courthouse

A court security guard wipes the front door handle as someone enters the Lancaster County Courthouse on Friday, May 22.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Lincoln Journal Star

Campgrounds

Campgrounds

To maintain social distancing, officials have closed every other campsite at Branched Oak State Recreation Area.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Church Social Distancing

Church Social Distancing

To help parishioners maintain social distancing, the altar society at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church made ornate fabric dividers to block off alternate pews.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Children of Smithfield

Children of Smithfield

Mariah Wailes (from left), Claudia Perales and Luis Sandoval rally in support of Smithfield workers in Crete on Saturday, May 16. “Estamos con ustedes” translates to “We stand by you.”

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Farmers Market

Farmers Market

Shoppers walk through the Haymarket Farmers Market on Saturday, May 16. It’s the first day the market has been open this season.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Parkview Christian Teacher Appreciation Day

Parkview Christian Teacher Appreciation Day

The Parkview Christian parent/student community celebrated educators Wednesday, May 13, by decorating cars and doing a brief parade through the school parking lot for Teacher Appreciation Day.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

Lincoln reopening

Lincoln reopening

Eric Post, owner of The Normandy, serves customers Jane Williams (center) and Keith Larsen on the first day of dine-in service returning in Lancaster County on Monday, May 11.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Mother’s Day

Mother's Day

Doris Carbon is all smiles on Mother’s Day when her family visits her by her nursing home window, including son-in-law Steve Bartels (left) and Corey Carbon, of Los Angeles on Sunday, May 10, at Legacy Retirement Community.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Lincoln Christian 2020 Seniors

Lincoln Christian 2020 Seniors

Lincoln Christian senior Ally Korte (left), one of 52 graduates recognized by the school, talks with KC Orduna in May. Each senior had their name painted on the school’s football field along with a yard sign featuring the portrait. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

Test Nebraska site

Test Nebraska site

CHI Health workers place a COVID-19 swab in a test tube while administering tests by appointment at a drive-thru Test Nebraska site at Lancaster Event Center on May 8. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

Selfie wall

Selfie wall

Amanda Russell of Firespring installs a mural May 7 at Bryan East that was designed by Jon Humiston of Umbrella Photo Booth. Another has been installed at Bryan West.

Courtesy photo

Drive-Thru Career Fair

Drive-Thru Career Fair

Iyonna Clay hands out bags containing one-page documents from employers who are hiring, explaining what the company does, what jobs are available, and how people can apply during a drive-thru career fair Tuesday, May 5, at Gateway Mall. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

Center for People in Need food distribution

Center for People in Need food distribution

Boxes of bagged fruit and other food items await distribution by staff of the Center for People in Need and Army National Guard personnel last May. The Center received a $5,000 grant from the Viking Foundation in December to help alleviate increased food insecurity during the pandemic.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Marathon void

Marathon void

The intersection of 14th and Vine streets, near where the Lincoln Marathon would have started this year, sits empty on May 3, 2020.

Alex Lantz

Drive-through parade

Drive-through parade

Residents and staff of The Windcrest on Van Dorn wave to decorated vehicles parading through the parking lot on Thursday, April 30. Family and friends of residents made a visit following social distancing guidelines to the assisted-living center, which has banned visitors during the coronavirus pandemic.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Masks For Truckers

Masks For Truckers

Nebraska State Patrol Sgt. Les Zimmerman hands a package of surgical masks to a truck driver on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at the westbound I-80 weigh station. The masks were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR

Hero Signs

Hero Signs

CHI St. Elizabeth president Derek Vance places a sign outside a hospital employee’s home Wednesday, April 29. The hospital planned to place 1,500 signs at employees’ homes.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR

BikeLNK disinfecting

BikeLNK disinfecting

Lucas Anderson disinfects a bike at the BikeLNK station at 21st and Q streets Saturday, April 25.

EMILY HANEY, Journal Star

Teacher and Staff Parade

Teacher and Staff Parade

Students wave to teachers and staff from their cars on Thursday, April 23, 2020, during a teacher and staff parade at St. John the Apostle School. 

EMILY HANEY Journal Star

91-year-old released

91-year-old released

Recovered COVID-19 patient Imogene Hostetler, 91, heads home from CHI St. Elizabeth accompanied by nurses Brittany McCoy and Patrick Kamphaus on Thursday, April 23.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Food Bank

Food Bank

Private 2nd Class Gary Mack (left) and Senior Master Sgt. Donald Dissmeyer unload food at a food distribution site Wednesday, April 22, at Lincoln High School. 

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Thank you

Thank you

Hannah Elliott (from left), executive director of Woodlands at Hillcrest, joins volunteers from NRC Health, including Emily Wiebeck, Tess Kurtenbach and Emily Schweitzer, as they thank staff members showing up for work at the senior housing facility Wednesday, April 22. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Virtual City Council

Virtual City Council

People watch the live coverage outside the City Council chambers Monday, April 13.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Good Friday Music

Good Friday Music

Bob Milliken and Carol Milliken perform religious music for a gathering of neighbors on Good Friday, April 10, on Hunts Drive. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Masks on a walk

Masks on a walk

Martin and Darlene Weber wear masks as they stroll past Bishop Heights Park on April 10.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Watch: A timelapse of the mural at Saro Cider

Heroes sign

Heroes sign

A “Heroes Work Here” sign shown outside the Lancaster Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, April 9, 2020. 

EMILY HANEY Journal Star

Watch: Hand sanitizer rolls off Innovation Campus assembly line

No fun here

No fun here

A playground closed sign is displayed in front of an empty playground Monday, April 6, at Pioneers Park. 

EMILY HANEY, Journal Star

Inverse Parade

Inverse Parade

A line of cars travels P Street during a drive-thru parade outside the Lincoln Children’s Museum on Saturday, April 4.

EMILY HANEY, Journal Star

Haymarket

Haymarket

An empty scene at the Railyard earlier this year.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Empty downtown

Empty downtown

Sparse vehicle and foot traffic moves through downtown on O Street on Thursday, April 2, 2020. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Tower Square sign

Tower Square sign

Last week, a sign showing support for New York showed up in Tower Square in downtown Lincoln.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Billboard

Billboard

A billboard calls for Lincoln residents to stay home during coronavirus pandemic. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Church services

Church services

Pastor Greg Bouvier delivers a livestreamed sermon in late March at Sheridan Lutheran Church. “We’re trying to replicate service as it would be if you’re here,” said Bouvier. “Our theology of worship is not an individual thing. It’s a communal thing. We want people to have a sense of that community.”

EMILY HANEY, Journal Star

WATCH: Celebrating a birthday with a parade

DoorDash

DoorDash

Derek Johnson, who delivers for DoorDash, leaves the downtown Qdoba with a customer’s order March 27.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR file photo

StarTran Ridership

StarTran Ridership

Wearing a mask for protection, Teri Stoppel waits for a StarTran bus at the Gold’s Building in downtown Lincoln in March.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN WAN, JOURNAL STAR

Simpsons in the windows

Simpsons in the windows

Replicas of Lisa Simpson and Homer Simpson watch the world pass by from the windows of a home near South 30th Street and Bonacum Drive on March 24. The owner said she had the figures in her basement and was attempting to spread a little cheer.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing

Manager Jen Anderson (from left), registered nurse Claire Nalder and manager Tammy Fandrich set up the COVID-19 testing drive-thru March 24 at Bryan LifePointe. 

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

UNL Beekeeping virtual class

UNL Beekeeping virtual class

Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, an extension and research Entomologist shows how to manipulate frames for better hive management as she’s filmed live by lab technician Luke Norris during a virtual beekeeping class on Saturday, March 21, at the Entomology Hall on the UNL East Campus. 

FRANCIS GARDLER JOURNAL STAR

Lincoln Lutheran Online Teaching

Lincoln Lutheran Online Teaching

Katie Bockelman teaches students world geography using Zoom on Friday, March 20, at Lincoln Lutheran School. The school has shifted to holding classes via Zoom with students at home. 

EMILY HANEY, Journal Star

Bourbon Theatre

Bourbon Theatre

Shows are set to return to the Bourbon Theatre this month.

Journal Star file photo

Social Distancing

Social Distancing

Best friends Lilly Bliven (top) and Eva Gutz wave to a passing UPS delivery truck, as they practice social distancing while talking to each other on walkie-talkies across the street from each other on Tuesday, March 17.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Blue for public health

Blue for public health

Nebraska State Capitol is seen lit in blue for “Public Health Thank You Day” on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Protecting parents

Protecting parents

Cathy Goldman (left), a paraeducator at Elliott Elementary, looks on as her mother Margaret Elley prepares dinner, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Goldman previously contracted COVID-19 and now keeps a distance whenever she is in a room with her elderly parents. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Basketball without fans

Basketball without fans

Nebraska takes on McNeese State without fans on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Thanksgiving to go

Thanksgiving to go

Alex Andrade (left) of Billy’s Restaurant works swiftly to add items to their to-go Thanksgiving meals on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Andrade said they will be preparing over 200 to-go meals over the next two days for families to enjoy. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Basketball masks

Basketball masks

Nebraska head coach Amy Williams speaks to a referee during a timeout against Idaho State at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Dec. 6.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Food donation

Food donation

William Kieffe, with Food Bank of Lincoln, unloads some of the pallets with 35,640 pounds of butter and cheese donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints earlier this month.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Sports cleaning

Sports cleaning

Malcolm girls basketball head coach Andy Klepper sprays disinfectant at the weight room, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Socially distant Santa

Socially distant Santa

Santa gives a socially distant air-five to 5 year old Nahlia Killsenemy on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Due to Covid-19, children had to maintain 6 feet and were unable to sit in Santa’s lap. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Christmas tree demand

Christmas tree demand

Cora Clay looks a tag from atop Eric Clay’s shoulders at the Prior Pines Christmas tree farm on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Kent Prior, owner of Prior Pines, estimates that they have sold over 900 trees so far this season. “It is definitely busier this season,” Prior said. “On our first day we had people parking on the main road.” KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights

People walk in front of the Sparkle Globe during the Zoo Lights event at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo on Thursday.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Clothing drive

Clothing drive

Volunteers from Stand In for Nebraska help load bags of clothing to be transported and donated to the Pine Ridge Reservation on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The annual winter clothing drive for the Pine Ridge Reservation had its most successful year yet. A record number of donations poured in from all over Nebraska. With so many donations, clothing drive organizer Bill Hawkins posted on Facebook to ask for a bigger truck. Stand in for Nebraska, a local nonprofit group, answered the call and paid for the gas as well. By the end of the morning the 26-foot moving truck was packed tight with donations heading northwest. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine

CHI Health St. Elizabeth RN Crystal Shield (L) administers a COVID-19 vaccination to hospitalist Cory Shield on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Recall

Recall

A pair of individuals who declined to give their names wave to passing motorists at 67th and O Streets as they look for signers for a recall of Lincoln Leirion Gaylor Baird on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Snowplow Santa

Snowplow Santa

Staying socially distanced from Santa Claus, Hailey Neff (left) delivers her list of Christmas gift wishes to the fellow from the North Pole on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, during a visit to Pioneers Park. Saint Nick toured the area, making stops at Holmes Park, Walt Branch Library and Williams Branch Library in addition to Pioneers Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star

Christmas Star

Christmas Star

Robert Fugarino takes a photo of the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter on his smartphone at Holmes Lake Park, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Santa visit

Santa visit

The Schawang family listens from their front porch to Santa Claus read, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Shawntay and Glen Schawang’s children, Maxine (from left), Valentine, Jules, and Calvin have been leaving gifts and surprises for nearby retired couples. The retirees in the neighborhood had no idea who was leaving the gifts behind. “The kids were getting such a kick out of being the mystery gift givers,” retiree Rodney Turner said. After deducing who the mystery gift givers were, the older neighbors began to leave gifts of their own. Going back and forth leaving little surprises for months. To wrap up the year, the retirees decided to schedule a visit from the master gift giver himself. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Pandemic Newspaper

Pandemic Newspaper

Joshua Schulte does most of his writing on his couch in his living room or wherever he is most comfortable on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. Joshua Schulte, 13, started writing the Schulte Daily when the pandemic started, he has since pivoted to the Schulte Weekly (issue 72 was last week). When asked why he started Joshua stated, “It might’ve been because I was bored, I’ve always liked writing newspaper articles.” Joshua distributes his newspaper to 7 local families in his neighborhood. Even making a mile long bike ride to deliver a copy top his grandparents. He also has written an 80-page Christmas book that takes place in London in the 1800s .KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Basketball fans reduced

Basketball fans reduced

Fan attendance for this basketball game between Lincoln East and Norfolk was greatly reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Outdoor fun

Outdoor fun

Ethan (bottom) and Colin Easley take to the slopes as they joined dozens of others to enjoy the substantial snowfall on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Holmes Lake Park. 

FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star file photo

COVID Vaccine

COVID Vaccine

RelyCare LTC pharmacy certified technician Sara Ferguson administer a COVID-19 vaccine at Havelock Manor, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

Basketball masks

Basketball masks

Pius X poses with their newly won trophy after defeating Fremont in the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament championship match at Lincoln Northeast High School. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star

Trump Rally

Trump Rally

Supporters of Pres. Donald J. Trump rally on the north side of the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6 2021, during the first day of the Legislature. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star

Mike Hilgers at Legislature’s First Day

Mike Hilgers at Legislature's First Day

Speaker Mike Hilgers (left) greets Sen. Lynne Walz after Walz was elected to be chair of the education committee during the first day of the 2021 legislative session Jan. 6 at the State Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Zoo Bar membership

Zoo Bar membership

A view from behind the Zoo Bar bandstand on Wednesday, Jan. 6 2021. The music establishment is launching a membership program to help it survive the COVID-19 pandemic. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star

Eviction

Eviction

Melanie Butcher holds her cat Miss Chievous at Staybridge Suites, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

New high school

New high school

Work progresses on the new high school near Northwest 48th and West Holdrege streets in early January.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Ice fishing

Ice fishing

Cindy Knippelmeyer (left) and her husband Tyson Knippelmeyer fish on the ice of Holmes Lake, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Danny’s closes

Danny's closes

Customers order their sandwiches from Colton Harpst and Chris Mathews during lunchtime at Danny’s Downtown Deli on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Expos resume

Expos resume

Steve Woitaszewski make measurements as he scores a deer during Nebraska Deer and Game Expo, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Lancaster Event Center. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

JUSTIN WAN Journal Star

Swim meet

Swim meet

Due to the pandemic the pool deck is less crowded and swimmers, coaches and race staff are required to wear masks on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, during the Gene Cotter Invitational at Lincoln Northeast High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star

Vaccination event

Vaccination event

People enter Pinnacle Bank arena for a COVID-19 vaccination event on Feb. 5.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

Winter bicycling

Winter bicycling

 Brion Westfahol (left) and Jamie Wenz take a break from the trail to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, along the Rock Island trail. Adverse weather was of no concern to the cold blooded bikers who took part in the Frosty Bike Ride on Saturday. Despite temperatures in the low teens and a snow forecast of 4 inches, bike enthusiasts braved the weather for the annual ride. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Legislative hearing

Legislative hearing

Anti-vaxxers and proponets of LB643 mingle in the rotunda outside of the hearing chamber while waiting to testify favor of LB643 on Thursday, February 04, 2021, at the Nebraska State Capitol. If passed LB643 would allow them to be exempted from any vaccine program, though at this time one does not exist. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Biking in snow

Biking in snow

A biker braves heavy snowfall on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, along the Rock Island trail. Adverse weather was of no concern to the cold blooded bikers who took part in the Frosty Bike Ride on Saturday. Despite temperatures in the low teens and a snow forecast of 4 inches, bike enthusiasts braved the weather for the annual ride. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

LINCOLN, NEB. – 02/09/2021 – Venturing out in the below-zero wind chill on snowshoes he received in Christmas 2019, Walt Stroup of Lincoln blazes a trail on the pristine powdery remnants of the 25.3 inches of snow the city received during a 14-day period from Jan. 25-Feb. 7 on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at Holmes Lake Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

FRANCIS GARDLER

Reach the writer at 402-473-7218 or clangekubick@journalstar.com.

On Twitter @TheRealCLK

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