POWERBALL 8...NEW NEB QUARTER...HUSKER HOOPSBUBBLE OR BUST?


Photo from Powerball.com

Powerball Proud
One of the most unexpected treats involving Nebraska recently was the coverage of the lucky Nebraska 8.

The Cook's Foods (ConAgra, yes, but I remember it as Cook's Foods) employees who hit the largest lottery jackpot in American history turned in an unforgettable press conference performance in front of live national television audience.

CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News Channel all had live coverage of the press conference. In addition, there was live TV coverage on Nebraska television and radio stations, and streaming coverage on Lincoln and Omaha TV station web sites. ketv.com had the some of the best coverage on the Internet.

As a former Lincolnite, I was proud to witness this event. I was at work and have a TV in my work area, as we always monitor The Weather Channel. The content I write for radio stations involves the weather. But when there's a big news story, we switch to CNN. Often other staff members come from different parts of the building to see the latest on Breaking News. Let's just say the room filled quickly when the press conference began.

It was impressive to see such a mix of people on the stage. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann commented on his "Countdown" show that no one would have thought Nebraska to be a cultural melting pot. He found it refreshing to come to know these meat plant workers/millionaires. 

These are people you cheer for when they win the lottery. Sure, envy came into play, but with this group of lottery winners, when you heard their stories, you couldn't help but get a lump in your throat and wish them well.

Even so, I found myself looking real hard at each winner when he or she walked across the stage, hoping it would be a long lost friend who is just itching to give me a cut of the winnings.

Nothing like that happened.  Even so, the press conference was quite an event. It had a festive, party-like atmosphere, with laughter, loud applause, and smiles on everyone from the winners to the press covering the event. CNN stayed with coverage of the press conference for almost an hour. Believe me, if it wasn't good television, networks would have cut away from it much before that.

In my opinion, the Powerball story did more to improve Nebraska's image than any home game coverage of the Cornhuskers on a Saturday afternoon in the fall.

Nebraska Quarter Debuts
After years of waiting, the Nebraska quarter begins rolling off presses in March 2006 and goes into widespread circulation April 2006.

There are official celebrations planned in three Nebraska communities. Lincoln, Kearney, and Gering will all host events on April 7. Click Here For Related Story From Lincoln Journal-Star

It seems like a long time ago when the U.S. Mint began issuing the state quarter collection.

Finally, when you hit the drive thru at your favorite fast food joint and reach for a quarter in your coin stash, Nebraska's will be amongst all the others.

It will be enjoyable to see good 'ole Chimney Rock on a regular basis, even way out here in Connecticut. I imagine I'll start collecting Nebraska quarters, even though I have not been collecting the others.

Click here for more details on the new Nebraska quarter.

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