The Omaha Corral of The Westerners

The Omaha Corral of The Westerners For lovers of the history of the Old West living in the Omaha area.

01/20/2026

Let's hope for some warmer weather as we gather for our next Corral meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th Street, Omaha.

This month we will hear from the Executive Director, Julia Schavon Cordsen of the Merrick County Historical Museum, as she explains the efforts required to organize and display Nebraska’s historical artifacts for viewing by Nebraska citizens and the tourists which pass through our state.

Please also keep in mind that February is the month for our annual Book Exchange. Please feel free to bring Western History books that you no longer want to keep and exchange them for something you are interested from selections that other members bring!

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

8 oz steak $45.00
Haddock filet $40.00
Spaghetti with meatballs $35.00
Chicken fried steak $35.00
Chicken on dinner salad $30.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Tom Richter at, [email protected] , or call, 402-686-3395; no later than Friday, January 30th.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Tom know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

12/21/2025

Looking foreward to seeing you all in the New Year! Please join us down at Cascio's Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St, Omaha on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Please note that we are meeting on the second Thursday in January.

Our speaker this month will be Susan Baron. Susan Baron lives in Omaha. While researching for a novel about the history of Nebraska, she became intrigued by Mormon history; specifically, the exodus of the Mormon church to the Salt Lake Valley, UT.

Patty Barlett Sessions, Mormon Midwife was part of that heroic exodus. Patty wrote in a journal every day for 42 years, describing her life from February 1846 almost until her death in 1892. “Ready for the West” is Part I of a three-part project Susan has developed over several years. Part I tells of Patty Sessions’ journey through Iowa in the winter of 1846. Part II, still in progress will be about the 10 months Patty Sessions spent in Winter Quarters and Part III, “We Start” is finished and is about the journey from Winter Quarters in 1847 through Nebraska.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

- 8 Oz Steak $45.00
- Fettuccine with Chicken $40.00
- Hamburger Steak $35.00
- Eggplant $35.00
- Chicken on Dinner Salad $30.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Tom Richter at, [email protected] or call, 402-686-3395; no later than Friday, January 2nd.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Tom know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

NOTE: Omaha Westerners’ dues should be paid no later than October. You can pay your dues at the meeting or mail a check to:

Charles Haas
7169 North 126 Avenue
Omaha NE 68124

Corral dues are $30 for an individual and the “family” cost is $40. Please make your check payable to the Westerners Omaha Corral.

11/19/2025

Westerners International, Omaha Corral Members,

We will be wrapping up our Westerners 2025 year with a program from one of our own! Bring your holiday spirit and join us on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Please share this invitation with any past Westerners that you think may want to rejoin our friendly group. Also invite anyone you know that might want to attend a Westerner’s dinner just to check us out.

IMPORTANT Reminder: Please consider bringing non-perishable food items in support of our annual Holiday Food drive. Your donations will support the food bank at Walthill, Nebraska for the Omaha/Winnebago Reservation.

This month's speaker is our own Former Sheriff and Board Member, Paul Hedren. Paul is a well-known writer and retired National Park Service historian and superintendent. He has published countless historical articles, short stories and fourteen books related to the Great Sioux Wars; his most recent, new, publication is the book "Sitting Bull's War: The Battle of Little Big Horn and the Fight for Buffalo and Freedom on the Plains"

Paul’s presentation is taken from his new book, about a colorful individual who played a part in the events of 1876; The talk is titled, “The Tale of Frenchman Francis Boucher, Night Trader Among the Sioux." Francis Boucher of Quebec operated the Bordeaux Trading Post in Nebraska's Pine Ridge in the 1870s. Boucher was at once a fur trader, member of Spotted Tail's immediate family, indispensable language interpreter, and scorned "night trader" during the Indian wars. Paul will have some copies of his new book available for purchase after the meeting for those who may be interested.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

-8 Oz Steak $40.00
-Chicken Marsala $35.00
-Spaghetti with Meatballs $30.00
-Egg Plant $30.00
-Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Susan Baron at, [email protected]

or call, 402-880-8171; no later than Friday, November 28th.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Susan know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

NOTE: Omaha Westerners’ dues are should be paid no later than October. If you have not renewed your membership, then your meal will cost an additional $5. You can pay your dues at the meeting or mail a check to:

Charles Haas
7169 North 126 Avenue
Omaha NE 68124

Corral dues are $30 for an individual and the “family” cost is $40. Please make your check payable to the Westerners Omaha Corral.

10/16/2025

We hope everyone is enjoying this great fall season and looking forward to seeing you at our next Westerners event on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Please share this invitation with friends, family, and past members.

Our speaker this month will be William (Bill) Bolte from Lawrence, NE. Bill has always been interested in history, particularly Native American history and is currently a member of the Merrick County Historical Museum. He has mapped all the historic trails in Merrick and Hamilton counties used by the Mormons, the Oregon Trail, California, Fort Kearney, Ox Bow, Nebraska City/Fort Kearney Cut Off Trail, many Native American trails and a pre-historic trail of the Itskari Indian from a village site in Howard County. He researched the Itskari trail south through Nebraska, Kansas and into Oklahoma. Bill’s other interests include photography and cowboy poetry.

Bill’s topic will be “Dowsing Mormon and Pioneer Trails” through Nance, Merrick and Hamilton counties. Although there is no explanation for “dowsing”, it works for some and not for others. He will demonstrate how it works him.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

- 8 Oz Steak $40.00
- Beef Parmgiano $35.00
- Chicken Fried Steak $30.00
- Fettuccine with Chicken $30.00
- Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Tom Richter at, [email protected]

or call, 402-686-3395; no later than Friday, October 31st.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Tom know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

09/17/2025

Please join us on Thursday, October 2, 2025 for our second meeting of the season. As always we will gather in the comfort of Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th Street, Omaha.

Our speaker this month is Dr. Barbara Mayes Boustead, her presentation is titled, “Weather: What Laura Ingalls Wilder Teaches Us About the Weather, Climate, and Protecting What We Cherish”. Barb’s research revealed the accuracy of the vivid, detailed weather descriptions in her fictional Little House books—stories from her childhood of blizzards and prairie fires, tornadoes and grasshoppers, floods and droughts. Laura Ingalls Wilder wasn’t an official weather observer, she simply paid attention. Her life and livelihood intertwined with the weather and climate around her.

Dr. Barbara Boustead is a meteorologist, climatologist, and author of “Wilder Weather: What Laura Ingalls Wilder Teaches Us About Weather, Climate, and Protecting What We Cherish”. Barb holds a Ph.D. in Climate Assessment and Impacts from the University of Nebraska. She is a past president of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association and has attended and spoken at every LauraPalooza conference. Originally from Michigan, Barb lives in Gretna, Nebraska, with her husband and son.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

- Steak 8 OZ $40.00
- Lasagna $35.00
- Chicken Breast $30.00
- Hamburger Steak $30.00
- Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Tom Richter at, [email protected]

or call, 402-686-3395; no later than Friday, September 26th.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Tom know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

NOTE: Omaha Westerners’ dues are should be paid no later than October. You can pay your dues at the meeting or mail a check to:

Paul Berg
14116 S 35TH ST
BELLEVUE NE 68123-2690

Corral dues are $30 for an individual and the “family” cost is $40. Please make your check payable to the Westerners Omaha Corral.

04/30/2025

Don't miss this chance to enjoy a terrific meal, company and better yet a wonderful program.

Make a reservation now. See you there next week!

04/14/2025

Westerners International, Omaha Corral Members,

Well, it would seem we have reached the end of another informative season of sharing western history. We will finish up the season with a wonderful dinner at the Platte River State Park Walter Scott Lodge and Restaurant on Thursday, May 8, 2025. If the weather cooperates it should be an exceptionally enjoyable evening indeed. Following dinner, for those who wish to participate, there will be a rapid trek to the top of the fire tower. I would be amazing if we could have all of our members at this final gathering around the old Corral of the 2024 / 2025 season. Please polish up your boots & saddle and come join us.

Please see the note at the end of this announcement regarding access to the Platte River State Park and the attached map for travel directions.

Sheriff Jo Ann will be concluding her two years of leading the Omaha Corral, and will pass the role to Susan Baron who will take over as Sheriff of the Omaha Corral.

Please share this invitation with any past Westerners that you think may want to rejoin our friendly group. Also invite anyone you know that might want to attend a Westerner’s dinner just to check us out.

Our speaker for this season’s final dinner will be Darrel W. Draper. He comes to us through the Humanities Nebraska. Darrel is a fifth generation Nebraskan, retired Navy officer and University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate, uses his talents as storyteller and actor to educate and entertain. He specializes in costumed portrayals of historical figures that played major roles in the events that shaped our state and nation. He is considered an expert on the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and has personally retraced thousands of miles of their trail by canoe and on foot.

Darrel’s humorous presentation is composed from literature and is an entertaining and amusing summary of the history of the fur trade, including trading companies, personalities and the achievements of fur traders and mountain men who lived in or passed through Nebraska. This tabloid-style review of the oddities and ironies of the industry has been carefully researched but is humorously presented in a sensationalized style. It recounts some of the bizarre happenings that resulted in the most important discoveries of land and routes enabling the U.S. to claim and populate the West.

This month’s delicious dinner is described below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

Meal cost is $25 per person with non-member meals costing an extra $5.

What: May 2025 Meeting of Omaha Corral of Westerners

When: 8 May 2025

Social Time: 5:00-5:30 PM

Dinner: 5:30 (Buffet Line Will Start)

Program/Speaker: ~ 6:45

Where: Platte River State Park’s Walter Scott Lodge and Restaurant

As in previous years, the dinner for will be a Buffet Menu: Mini-Salad Bar, Rolls, Slow Roasted Buffalo (Bison), Mashed Potatoes, Gravy & Mixed Vegetables and Cookie Bar. Beverages: Coffee, Iced Tea and Water. Paul Hedren will no-host a donation only bar featuring selected wine and beers prior to the start of the meal.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Susan Baron at, [email protected]

or call, 402-880-8171; no later than Thursday, May 1st.

NOTE: Early RSVPs are always appreciated but final RSVPs need to be forwarded to Susan Baron No Later than 1 May.

Platte River State Park Access: If you do not already have a State Park permit, a daily or annual park permit is required to enter Platter River State Park. If you arrive before 5:00 and wish to purchase your own daily park permit you can visit the Platte River State Park Office and do that. The cost of the daily permit is $7.00. If you are able to purchase your own daily permit at the park office, it will aid in making this event revenue neutral for the Corral. If you are unable to purchase the permit, the Corral will settle up with the Park for the cars that lack daily permits.

03/28/2025

Westerners International, Omaha Corral Members,



We are quickly wrapping up another successful season. And we would certainly like to see everyone on Thursday, April 3, 2025. We will meet at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th Street, Omaha, where we will be enjoying great food and sharing western history fellowship!



Sheriff Jo Ann will be concluding her two years of leading the Omaha Corral, so please take time to thank her for the great job she has done. She has brought us many interesting speakers and topics on western history during her time as Sheriff. Also take a moment to welcome and offer your support to Susan Baron who will take over as Sheriff in September when we start our new season.



Sheriff Jo Ann will also be providing us an update and details on the plans for our May meeting at the Platte River State Park. It would be great if we could get a good estimate on the number of folks who will be attending the May dinner during this meeting.



Please share this invitation with any past Westerners that you think may want to rejoin our friendly group. Also invite anyone you know that might want to attend a Westerner’s dinner just to check us out.

Troy Stolp, will be with us again this month as we conclude our series of three talks from the Durham Museum. Troy has a BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Iowa State University, a BA in History from Buena Vista University, and an MA in History from UNO. Troy has been on the Board of Directors for Preserve Council Bluffs, a judge for National History Day and is happy to have served on the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission. Troy also leads The Durham Museum’s Downtown Omaha Walking Tours.

This month Troy will present an Introduction to the Trans-Mississippi & International Exposition which took place at Omaha in from June to November in 1898 with the goal of showcasing the development of the entire West from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. And perhaps to boast a bit about our city of Omaha here on the west bank of the Missouri. Each of the points Troy will touch on is actually a story of its own. The “Architecture and Construction” was a feat comparable to any other World’s Fair.

Troy will tell us about the inventions and discoveries revealed to those touring the midway of the Exposition. He will also cover important events which occurred during concurrent with the Exposition such as the National Peace Jubilee and The Indian Congress.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

Steak (8oz) $40.00

Salmon $40.00

Chicken Picatta $30.00

Egg Plant Parmigiano $30.00

Grilled Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Susan Baron at, [email protected] or call, 402-880-8171; no later than Friday, March 28th.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Susan know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

02/26/2025

Westerners International, Omaha Corral Members,

February is such short month you may as well keep your boots on because our next meeting is just around the corner. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, March 6, 2025. We will meet at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th Street, Omaha, where we will be enjoying great food and sharing western history fellowship!

Please share this invitation with any past Westerners that you think may want to rejoin our friendly group. Also invite anyone you know that might want to attend a Westerner’s dinner just to check us out.

Thanks to all who shared their books with us at the last meeting. I know I’m looking forward to reading the two books I selected, especially during the coming cold weather.

NOTE: Remember that for our March meeting you are encouraged to “Dress-for-the-West”. So polish up those fancy boots and shine up those big brass belt buckles to go with your western duds. Let’s turn this into an authentic western evening around the ole’ corral.

Troy Stolp, from the Durham Museum, will be our speaker again this month. Troy has a BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Iowa State University, a BA in History from Buena Vista University, and an MA in History from UNO. Troy has been on the Board of Directors for Preserve Council Bluffs, a judge for National History Day and is happy to have served on the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission. Troy also leads The Durham Museum’s Downtown Omaha Walking Tours.

Tonight’s topic is an Introduction to plains native American life including a history of plains nations and locations along with details of their life sustaining reliance on the North American bison (or buffalo). Troy will explain the typical types of native American homes and the individual family structures within. He will also mention many of the significant members of various tribes, names with which we are all familiar, but perhaps he will share some facts that will add to our knowledge.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

Steak (8oz) $40.00

Shrimp and Fettuccine $35.00

Chicken Parmigiano $30.00

Chicken Fried Steak $30.00

Grilled Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Susan Baron at, [email protected]

or call, 402-880-8171; no later than Friday, February 28th.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Susan know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

01/29/2025

Reposting. Don't miss a terrific program and dinner and time with a great bunch of people at Cascio's Steakhouse .

01/18/2025

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

BOOK EXCHANGE TOO!

Westerners International, Omaha Corral Members,

You may have noticed it’s getting a bit colder. But just imagine what those early pioneers had to deal with, and somehow our weather doesn’t seem so bad. Do you think? But it will be warm around the ole’ Corral. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, February 6, 2025. We will meet at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th Street, Omaha, where we will be enjoying great food and sharing western history fellowship!

Please share this invitation with any past Westerners that you think may want to rejoin our friendly group. Also invite anyone you know that might want to attend a Westerner’s dinner just to check us out.

ATTENTION: While you all are inside avoiding the cold weather, take time to organize those bookshelves, because this meeting features our annual book exchange. I have just about read everything I picked up last year. I’m sure many of us are ready for some new and interesting reading. And you can’t beat the price.

Our speaker this month Troy Stolp, a practicing historian who was born in Omaha and grew up in Council Bluffs. A graduate of Lewis Central HS in 1990, after which he obtained a BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Iowa State University, a BA in History from Buena Vista University, and an MA in History from UNO. He has worked in human services in various capacities since 1994 and has been at Lewis Central Schools since 2013. Troy has been on the Board of Directors for Preserve Council Bluffs, a judge for National History Day and is happy to have served on the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission. Troy leads The Durham Museum’s Downtown Omaha Walking Tours and can be spotted on many of the museum’s other educational programs.

Tonight Troy will share with us an Introduction to Historic Train Travel. Troy’s discussion will include details of Union Station and interesting facts about many of the elements that made up early passenger train travel. He will cover the passenger train from the steam engine to the caboose. This will include many of the unique cars in between that provided a unique passenger experience for those traveling by rail.

This month’s delicious dinner selections are listed below and includes tax & tip.

NOTE: Please remember payments must be by cash (exact amount is always appreciated) or check as we cannot accept debit or credit cards.

Steak (8oz) $40.00

Salmon $40.00

Chicken Marsala $30.00

Mostaccioli with Meatballs $30.00

Grilled Chicken on Dinner Salad $25.00

Non-member meal costs are an additional $5.00.

Please e-mail your dinner selection to Susan Baron at, [email protected] or call, 402-880-8171; no later than Friday, January 31st.

DIETARY: If you have special needs or allergies please let Susan know as part of your RSVP so substitutes can be arranged well in advance.

Social hour begins at 5:30 PM, business at 6:15 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM, with the program to follow at Cascio’s Steakhouse, 1620 South 10th St., Omaha.

NOTE: Omaha Westerners’ dues are should be paid no later than October. If you have not renewed your membership, then your meal will cost an additional $5. You can pay your dues at the meeting or mail a check to:

Paul Berg

14116 S 35TH ST

BELLEVUE NE 68123-2690

Corral dues are $30 for an individual and the “family” cost is $40. Please make your check payable to the Westerners Omaha Corral.

Michael E. Wagner

2002 Nottingham Drive

Bellevue NE 68123

Address

1620 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE
68108

Opening Hours

6pm - 9pm

Telephone

+1 806-654-6920

Website

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