Evening star., 1936-11-15
By Matkilde Bahar.
OMAHA, NEBF

OMAHA, NEBR.
~ MAHA women nearly always
regard themselves as Mid
western, dyed-in the wool,
steak-eating Americans. New
ertheless, each year they revel in a
few days of pomp and royalty. For,
since 1895, with the founding of the
knights of Ak-Sar-Ben" Nebraska
spelled Backward, the men have
arranged that Madame Omaha can
have. each Fall. as her leading social
event, a coronation ball.
Somehow, this season, greater zest
and glamour marked this crowning
function, attributed partially to newer
fashions, which have suddenly taken
on a royal mode, but in the main
because it follows in line with the
women's special interest in the COM
Ing coronation of Edward VIII of
England and the speculations as to
the position a certain American lady
may hold there.
However, in recent weeks, the
Omaha women have been more en-
crossed in announcements Of their
local royal appointments. Anxiously
they waited for society editors to
reveal through their columns the
Ak-Sar-Ben choice in princesses and
countesses from the city and COM
munities throughout Nebraska. Then
came that great moment when,
directly before coronation, the King
and Queen were revealed. The King.
as usual, married. middle-aged, prom
inent in business. professional, civic
and social life. Just a foil for the
Queen. young. beautiful, unmarried,
socially prominent, and thrilled that
for a season she has captured this
honor. Ten thousand attended. For
this elaborate coronation ceremony
and the ball which followed is. you
might say, the whole of. Omaha's
social season in nutshell.
But after this goal is passed,
Madame Omaha once again insists on
being intensely democratic, with a
matter of fact hardheadedness about
elaborate social customs. They call
themselves downright Midwesterners
in this "city surrounded by the
United States" according to Chamber
of Commerce blurb.
TAKE the debut. Now for the first
time in years there will be few
young women making their formal
bow TO Omaha society. However,
DE-
airs, and instead Of aspiring to do the
same. poke fun at 1t. A leading
socialite explained:
This Is still a small town in many
ways. Our girls grow up in the same
circle Of friends, so that most of us
think 1t pretty silly for a mother to
introduce her child all over again"
But you do find that both mother
and daughter hope that she can join
the Junior League, for the women
throughout the city are proud Of the
splendid community service which
they are accomplishing with their
child nursery. 1t is the only large
one Of its kind here, and these young
girls from Omaha's first families care
for over rs children a day.
Gradually the visitor discovers that
Omaha women are most hospitable,
in a nice. honey way. Many women
explain that this is because the first
generation of their women came from
the farm. Others say that hospitality
Is heritage of Omaha since the days
when their city was the last vestige
of civilization as the covered wagons
stopped before continuing westward.
A most amusing explanation was
offered by a charming hostess who
exclaimed, 1--WE just haven't any river,
mountains or other interesting scenery
or wonders like the great Western
places, so we have to be nice ourselves
to get the stranger to come here"
Sturdy, realistic Nine. Omaha
has been little f1attered by the at
tention her city has received during
this presidential campaign. She in
sists it is the men, having great get
togethers at their stays, who are wet
ting their whistle and singing.
Omaha, Omaha finest place you ever
saw, COIIlo hlOilk
Join the throng. cause you simply
can't 60 wrong
I'll say its great in Omaha
Its o real town all day. and at night
When you are sleeping dream OF
Omaha, Omaha"
HOWEVER, the women-they may
= not confess 1t among themselves
freely admitted that their slumber
may be pleasantly disturbed by
thoughts of Minneapolis, Chicago. or
thrilled by Washington, New York,
Paris or London. Never do they hope
for a slumbering vision of Omaha's
gray INCONSISTENCIES.
Not that they do not have deep
loyalty towards their city and its in
dividuals. But Nine Omaha is
more apt TO agree with Minister Plank.
who last Summer, when he resigned