Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

JournalStar.com

50°

Read Today's E-edition

Site Search

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Site Search

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Subscribe

Read Today's E-edition

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Subscribe

Share This

Wayne's power couple: A struggle for small-town identity, and the story of their success

0 Comments

Share this

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Topical Top Story

Wayne's power couple: A struggle for small-town identity, and the story of their success

Mark Kanitz, Lukas Rix

Mark Kanitz (left) and Lukas Rix have worked together to bring life to Wayne's business district, including renovating the old city hall into the 1912 Emporium.

CHRIS BOWLING, For the Journal Star

Prefer us on Google Learn More

CHRIS BOWLING For the Lincoln Journal Star

WAYNE — The dreary light of a February morning paints his face in the floor-to-ceiling windows. He gazes out at the small town’s scorched-cement sidewalks and plain red-brick storefronts. But that’s not what he sees.

kAmx?DE625[ {F<2D #:I G:DF2=:K6D 365 2?5 3C62<72DED[ A@A\FA 3@FE:BF6D 2?5 7FC?:D965 2A2CE>6?ED H:E9 2 9:==D:56 G:6H @7 5@H?E@H? (2J?6[ 2 4@>>F?:EJ @7 d[___ ?6DE=65 36EH66? >:=6D @7 4@C? 2?5 D@J362?D :? }63C2D<2’D ?@CE962DE 4@C?6C[ 2 A=246 36DE <?@H? 7@C :ED 2??F2= r9:4<6? $9@H]k^Am

kAm%96 ah\J62C\@=5 2?5 9:D 3FD:?6DD A2CE?6C[ |2C< z2?:EK[ b`[ 92G6 @A6?65 7@FC 3FD:?6DD6D 96C6 :? E96 =2DE D:I J62CD[ 5C2H:?8 D9@AA6CD 7C@> >:=6D 2H2J 2?5 96=A:?8 ;F>A\DE2CE 2 @?46\72=E6C:?8 5@H?E@H? 64@?@>J]k^Am

People are also reading…

kAm#:I DE2?5D :? @?6 @7 E9@D6 G6?EFC6D ?@Hi E96 @C:8:?2= (2J?6 r:EJ w2==[ 3F:=E :? `h`a 2?5 C6?@G2E65 E@ D6== “CFC2= 9:ADE6C” 564@C] %96 @E96CD[ 2 4@7766 D9@A[ 2?E:BF6 DE@C6 2?5 E9C:7E DE@C6[ 2C6 ?62C3J] ~? 8@@5 52JD[ 96 6DE:>2E6D E96J 5C2H 6?@F89 EC277:4 E@ 4@>AC:D6 ?62C=J @?6\7:7E9 E96 E@H?’D A@AF=2E:@?]k^Am

kAmqFE =:76 :? (2J?6 2=D@ 4@>6D H:E9 2 DE2C< 7@@E?@E6 7@C E96 EH@ 6?EC6AC6?6FCD]k^Am

kAmxE 4@>6D :? E96 7@C> @7 2 DE:?8:?8 D=FC E92E H2=<D E9C@F89 E96:C 5@@CD :? 3C@25 52J=:89E @C DE2?5D F?56C 2 5:> DEC66E=2>A @FED:56 2 =@42= 32C] xE’D E96 766=:?8 E92E A6@A=6 =@@< 2E E96> 5:776C6?E=J @C 6IA64E D@>6E9:?8 >@>6?E@FD] %96 E6?D:@? E96J 766= 6G6CJ E:>6 D@>6@?6 2D<D H92E E96J 2C6]k^Am

kAmqC@E96CDnk^Am

kAmr@FD:?Dnk^Am

kAmqF55:6Dnk^Am

kAm“(6’C6 ?@E WD66? 2DX E96 82J A@H6C 4@FA=6 @7 (2J?6[ }63C2D<2[ =:<6 H6 D9@F=5 36[” #:I D2JD]k^Am

From the archives: Entrepreneurs revamp Wayne City Hall

kAms6DA:E6 6DE23=:D9:?8 2H2C5\H:??:?8 3FD:?6DD6D :? =6DD E:>6 E92? :E E2<6D >@DE <:5D E@ =62C? E@ C625[ #:I 2?5 z2?:EK DE:== 6?5FC6 E96 :8?@C2?E 4@>>6?ED 2?5 E@<6? EC62E>6?E E92E 4@>6D H:E9 36:?8 @A6?=J 82J :? D>2==\E@H? }63C2D<2]k^Am

kAm$@>6[ =:<6 %2??6C $9@A<6[ H9@ <?@HD 7:CDE92?5 9@H 92C5 :E :D E@ 8C@H FA 82J :? (2J?6[ H2D D9@4<65 H96? 96 962C5 E96J H2?E65 E@ @A6? 2 3FD:?6DD 96C6 :? a_`a]k^Am

kAm“tG6CJ@?6 H2D =:<6[ ‘s:5 J@F 962C 23@FE E96 82J 4@FA=6n’” C6>6>36C65 E96 ac\J62C\@=5[ ?@H @?6 @7 E96:C 6>A=@J66D] “xE H2D ;FDE =:<6[ ‘(2:E — E96C6’D 82J A6@A=6 96C6n x? D>2==\E@H? (2J?6n’ {:<6[ H9J H@F=5 E96J 4@>6 96C6 @7 2== A=246Dn”k^Am

kAmqFE E96J’C6 DE:== 96C6 D:I J62CD =2E6C[ 8FEE:?8[ A=2DE6C:?8 2?5 A2:?E:?8 7FEFC6 3FD:?6DD6D[ 7:89E:?8 7@C 2 5@H?E@H? 72C>6CD >2C<6E — #:I FD6D 7:G6 “C62==JD” E@ 56D4C:36 9@H 325=J 96 H2?ED :E — 2?5 ?@E =6EE:?8 FA]k^Am

kAmqFE :E’D ?@E ;FDE 23@FE 3FD:?6DD] xE’D 2=D@ 23@FE 8:G:?8 324<] %96J’G6 @776C65 E@FCD @7 E96:C 9@>6 7@C 7F?5C2:D6CD[ D6CG65 @? =@42= 3@2C5D 2?5 D96A96C565 J@F?8 6?EC6AC6?6FCD[ :? 255:E:@? E@ 6>A=@J:?8 `c 7F==\ 2?5 A2CE\E:>6 DE277] x? y2?F2CJ[ E96J C646:G65 E96 =@42= qFD:?6DD @7 E96 *62C 2H2C5]k^Am

kAmp?5 H9:=6 E96J D66 E96 :C@?J @7 AFEE:?8 D@ >F49 :?E@ 2 A=246 H96C6 E96J 766= D@ 5:776C6?E[ E96 2?DH6C E@ “(9J (2J?6n” :D 3:886C E92? E92E]k^Am

kAmxE’D A2CE @7 E96 D2>6 DA:C:E E92E 42CC:65 4@G6C65 H28@?D E9C@F89 D?@H5C:7ED 2?5 D4@C49:?8 962E >@C6 E92? 2 46?EFCJ 28@] %96 9@>6DE6256CD H9@ @G6C42>6 25G6CD:EJ 3642FD6 E96J D2H A@DD:3:=:EJ :? E96 A=2:?D] p?5 2=E9@F89 ?6:E96C #:I ?@C z2?:EK 42? E:== 2 7:6=5 @C 5C:G6 2 EC24E@C[ E96J 766= @?6 H:E9 E92E =:?6286]k^Am

kAm“%96D6 H6C6 86?:FD A6@A=6 H9@ 4@F=5 D66 E9:?8D 367@C6 E96J 6G6? 6I:DE65[ 2?5 E92E’D H92E 2? 6?EC6AC6?6FC :D[” #:I D2:5] “*@F 7:?5 2 >2C<6E E92E ?@3@5J 6=D6 D66D]”k^Am

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQmY Y Yk^Am

kAm(96? 96 H2D DE:== :? 6=6>6?E2CJ D49@@=[ #:I 8C23365 2 A2:C @7 D4:DD@CD 2?5 H2=<65 2C@F?5 9:D 9@>6E@H? @7 {J@?D[ 2 4@>>F?:EJ @7 g__ A6@A=6 b_ >:=6D D@FE962DE @7 (2J?6[ 4FEE:?8 7=@H6CD @FE @7 82C56?D 2?5 D6==:?8 E96> 324< :? G2D6D]k^Am

kAm“s@ J@F <?@H H92E {F<2D 92D 366? 5@:?8n” 96 C6>6>36CD 9:D 2F?E 2D<:?8 9:D >@E96C H96? D96 =62C?65 @7 9:D 7:CDE 3FD:?6DD A=2?]k^Am

kAm(6D q=64<6[ (2J?6’D 4:EJ 25>:?:DEC2E@C[ C6>6>36CD >66E:?8 9:> :? pF8FDE a__g 5FC:?8 2 3FD:?6DD 72:C 2E (2J?6 $E2E6 r@==686[ H96C6 #:I H2D 2 DEF56?E[ DEF5J:?8 3FD:?6DD 2?5 >2C<6E:?8] pD =2C86 C6E2:=6CD 2?5 @?=:?6 >2C<6E6CD 7@C465 >2?J 3FD:?6DD6D :? (2J?6 E@ D9FE E96:C 5@@CD[ q=64<6 H2?E65 E@ 962C :562D E@ C6G6CD6 E96 EC6?5]k^Am

kAm“x C6>6>36C G:G:5=J E92E {F<2D #:I 42>6 FA E@ E96 E23=6[ A@F?565 9:D 7:DED 2?5 D2:5[ ‘(92E E9:D E@H? ?665D :D 2 4@?D:8?>6?E DE@C6[’” q=64<6 D2:5]k^Am

kAm$E@C6D =:<6 E92E 925 4@>6 2?5 8@?6[ 96 E9@F89E] xE H@?’E H@C< 96C6]k^Am

kAmx? a_`a[ #FDE:4 %C62DFC6D 2?5 :ED 2:D=6D @7 9@>6J 7FC?:EFC6 2?5 6446?EC:4 E9C:7E :E6>D @A6?65 :? 5@H?E@H? (2J?6] $@@? :E >@G65 24C@DD E96 DEC66E E@ 2 =2C86C =@42E:@? H:E9 2 4@7766 D9@A ?6IE 5@@C] x? a_`e[ #:I 2?5 z2?:EK C6=@42E65 E96 E9C:7E D64E:@? E@ 2 ?6H 9@>6[ %9C:7E (2C69@FD6] x? a_`f[ E96J @A6?65 E96 `h`a t>A@C:F>[ 2? 6IA=@D:@? @7 8C66?6CJ 282:?DE “72C>9@FD6 :?5FDEC:2=” 564@C E92E 766=D =:<6 E96 D6E @7 2? wv%' D9@H]k^Am

kAm“w6 925 :E 7:8FC65 @FE H2J 367@C6 2?J @7 FD 5:5[” D2:5 q=64<6[ ?@H #:IVD >6?E@C]k^Am

kAmp=@?8 E96 H2J[ @E96CD H6C6 DH6AE FA :? E9:D ?6H G:D:@? 7@C (2J?6] y@D:6 qC@56CD BF:E 96C ;@3 2D 2 9F>2? C6D@FC46D 6>A=@J66 E@ 56D:8? 2 `d[___\DBF2C6\7@@E 6G6?E 46?E6C E92E H:== @A6? :? pAC:= 2?5 :D 2 >:I @7 2? @AF=6?E 42E965C2= 2?5 6IA@D65\362> 32C?] vC68 !E246< BF:E 9:D ;@3 2?5 =:BF:52E65 9:D c_`W<X E@ DE2CE 2 4C27E 3C6H6CJ 96C6 27E6C D66:?8 9:D 4@==686 7C:6?5 #:IVD DF446DD]k^Am

Brewer Greg Ptacek explains the work to open Johnnie Byrd Brewing Co. in the former Wayne fire station.

Sioux City Journal file photo

kAm“xE’D 366? <:?5 @7 2 42E2=JDE 7@C 2 =@E @7 @E96C @AA@CEF?:EJ[” D2:5 {F<6 ':C8:=[ 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C @7 (2J?6 pC62 t4@?@>:4 s6G6=@A>6?E] “$6G6C2= 5:776C6?E A6@A=6 42? D66 E96 A@DD:3:=:EJ[ 3FE D@>6@?6 92D E@ ;F>A @77 E96 4=:77 7:CDE E@ <?@H E92E E96C6 :D D@>6E9:?8 5@H? 36=@H]”k^Am

kAmqFE 2=E9@F89 #:IVD C:D<\E2<:?8[ “6?EC6AC6?6FC\@?\DE6C@:5D” A6CD@?2=:EJ :D 2? 25G2?E286 :? 3FD:?6DD[ q=64<6 D2:5 :E ?665D 2 42=>:?8 4@F?E6C32=2?46]k^Am

kAmz2?:EK 8C6H FA :? (2J?6 :? 2 {FE96C2? 72>:=J H:E9 2 A2DE@C 72E96C] w6 DEF5:65 A2C:D9 >FD:4 2E r@?4@C5:2 &?:G6CD:EJ :? $6H2C5 2?5 =2E6C 364@>6 2 A2CE\E:>6 49FC49 >FD:4 5:C64E@C]k^Am

kAmw6 >6E #:I @?=:?6 :? a_`_ H9:=6 =:G:?8 :? vC2?5 xD=2?5] u@C E96:C 7:CDE 52E6 :? (2J?6[ z2?:EK 6IA64E65 5:??6C @C 2 >@G:6 2E #:IVD A=246] w6 8@E 2 A2:?E3CFD9 :?DE625]k^Am

kAm“x D2:5[ ‘qJ E96 H2J[ E96 7C@?E W@7 E96 9@FD6X 92D E@ 36 5@?6 3J E96 H66<6?5[ D@ H6 92G6 E@ 86E 8@:?8 @? E9:D[’” #:I D2:5]k^Am

kAm%92E 3C2K6??6DD DE:== H:?D z2?:EK @G6C]k^Am

kAm$:?46 E96?[ E96J’G6 DA6?E DF>>6C ?:89ED 8FEE:?8 46?EFCJ\@=5 3F:=5:?8D[ 49:D6=:?8 G2C?:D9 @77 E96 DE2:CD @7 2 ':4E@C:2?\6C2 9@>6 2?5 AFEE:?8 DH62E 2?5 8C:E :?E@ 6G6CJE9:?8 E96J 5@] qFE 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96 52J[ E96J 4C2G6 D:=6?46 :? E96:C 9@>6 — 5C2H? 3=:?5D[ 2 4@>7J 4@F49[ E96:C 72G@C:E6 >@G:6 @C %' D9@H]k^Am

kAm%96C6 E96J 5@?’E 92G6 E@ 8F2C5 282:?DE D9@H:?8 27764E:@?[ H@CC:65 23@FE H92E D@>6@?6 >:89E E9:?<] %96C6 E96J 766= 7C66 @7 E96 82H<6CD H9@ H2?E E@ 492>A:@? E96> 3FE D66 E96:C D6IF2=:EJ 367@C6 E96:C 9F>2?:EJ]k^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts

kAm%96C6[ E96J’C6 ;FDE {F<2D 2?5 |2C<]k^Am

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQmY Y Yk^Am

kAm%96 4@FA=6 DE6AA65 @FE @7 E96 32C’D 324< 5@@C =2E6 @? 2 DF>>6C ?:89E :? a_`f] %9:4<[ H2C> 2:C 6?G6=@A65 E96> 2D E96J 2>3=65 9@>6[ 8F:565 3J DEC66E=:89ED[ 9@=5:?8 92?5D]k^Am

kAm“(92E 2C6 J@F 8FJDn u288@EDn”k^Am

kAm(96? E96J EFC?65 2C@F?5[ E96J D2H 2 >2? H9@ =@@<65 4@==686\2865 2?5 5CF?<] z2?:EK E2=<65 #:I @FE @7 DE2CE:?8 2 7:89E[ 3FE 96 DE:== H2?E65 E@ D9@H E96 >2? 9@H :E 76=E E@ 766= D>2==] $@ 96 36C2E65 9:> :?E@ 4=:>3:?8 :?E@ E96 EC2D9[ =:E6C2==J]k^Am

kAm“x 4@?G:?465 9:> E@ 86E :? E96 5F>ADE6C[” #:I D2:5] “x D2:5[ V%9:D :D H96C6 J@F 36=@?8] x7 J@F’C6 8@:?8 E@ FD6 H@C5D =:<6 E92E[ E9:D :D H96C6 J@F 36=@?8]V”k^Am

kAmx? a_`d[ E96 4@FA=6 C646:G65 2? 2?@?J>@FD =6EE6C] x?4=F5:?8 E96:C =:76DEJ=6 :? E96 (2J?6 w:DE@C:42= $@4:6EJ’D %@FC @7 w@>6D 925 CF:?65 E96 2??F2= 6G6?E[ :E C625]k^Am

kAmp J62C =2E6C[ 2 ?6HD=6EE6C 7C@> 2 ?6:893@C:?8 4@7766 D9@A 5C6H 56C:D:@? @?=:?6 H:E9 :ED 25G6CE:D6>6?E @7 4@7766 7@C “#tp{ |t}]”k^Am

kAm“#6AC@5F4E:@? !@E6?E:2=i |FDE >2CCJ 2 =25J H:E9 D:>:=2C :562=Dj 3642FD6 E96 =:36C2=D 5@?’E =:<6 C6AC@5F4E:@?[ >2CC:286[ 323:6D @C <:5D[ 2?5 2C6 ?@E H:==:?8 E@ D92C6 E96 62CE9’D @K@?6 =2J6C H:E9 @E96CD[” C625 E96 56D4C:AE:@? 7@C 2 “C:89E\H:?86C” 3=6?5]k^Am

kAm|6=@566 *@F?ED[ E96 @H?6C @7 E96 3F:=5:?8 E92E 9@FD6D |:DD |@==J’D r@7766 w@FD6 2?5 r@F?ECJ $E@C6[ D2:5 E96 2?86C H2D >:DA=2465] %96 4@>A2?J G2=F6D 5:G6CD:EJ 2?5 A2CE:4:A2E6D :? 492C:EJ H@C<[ D96 D2:5] xE 5@6D?VE 5:D4C:>:?2E6] xE 925 366? D6==:?8 E96 3=6?5 7@C 2 J62C\2?5\2\92=7 367@C6 E96 56D4C:AE:@? — 4=62C=J =236=65 2D E@?8F6\:?\4966< 9F>@C — E@@< @77 @?=:?6]k^Am

kAm“q642FD6 :E’D 2== =236=65 2D 36:?8 7F??J H6 D2H :E 2D 36:?8 =:<6 2 w2==>2C< 42C5[” D96 D2:5[ C676C6?4:?8 E92E 4@>A2?J’D 3=F?E 9F>@C @? D@>6 D6=64E 8C66E:?8 42C5D]k^Am

kAmtG6? E96 >6?VD H655:?8 H2D 4@>A=:42E65] p7E6C E96 $FAC6>6 r@FCEVD CF=:?8 @? >2CC:286 6BF2=:EJ :? E96 DF>>6C @7 a_`d[ 24BF2:?E2?46D 6IA64E65 :?G:E2E:@?D[ E96:C 49FC49 H2?E65 E@ :?G:E6 E96 6?E:C6 4@?8C682E:@?[ 7C:6?5D H2?E65 E@ :?G:E6 DE2E6 D6?2E@CD] k^Am

kAmp=E9@F89 E96J =@G65 E96 :562 @7 2 3:8 H655:?8[ :E H2D?’E C:89E] %@@ >F49 DA64E24=6]k^Am

kAm$@[ :?DE625[ @? s64] ``[ a_`d[ E96J H@C<65 F?E:= e A]>][ 962565 E@ 49FC49 2?5 a_ >:?FE6D =2E6C[ H6C6 >2CC:65 :? 7C@?E @7 2 92?57F= @7 72>:=J 2?5 4=@D6 7C:6?5D] z2?:EK D2H 46==A9@?6D @FE[ 3FE :7 A:4EFC6D 6I:DE[ 96 92D?’E D66? E96>]k^Am

kAm“pD >F49 2D H6 =:G6 @FC =:76 :? 7F== @A6??6DD[ E96C6’D 2=D@ 46CE2:? 2C62D H6 92G6 E@ 9@=5 @? E@[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAmu@C E96>[ E9@D6 2C6 E96 4@>AC@>:D6D @7 =:G:?8 H96C6 E96J 5@[ 3FE :E’D ?@E F?72>:=:2C E6CC:E@CJ]k^Am

kAm}6:E96C 42>6 @FE F?E:= 9:D ;F?:@C J62C @7 4@==686] (96? #:I 7:?2==J D2:5 E96 H@C5D[ 96 4C:65 7@C EH@ 9@FCD] xE H2D 2D :7 2 4CFD9:?8 H6:89E H2D @77 9:D D9@F=56CD] p AC@76DD@C 2E r@?4@C5:2 @A6?65 9:D 6J6Di s6DA:E6 2 C6=:8:@FD FA3C:?8:?8[ z2?:EK 5:5?’E 92G6 E@ 36 2D92>65]k^Am

kAmqFE 96 5:5?’E C646:G6 F?6BF:G@42= 2446AE2?46[ 2?5 E96 E@A:4 C6>2:?65 E6?D6 J62CD =2E6C H96? 96 2?5 #:I 8@E 6?82865]k^Am

kAm“*@F 42? :>28:?6 H92E :E H2D =:<6 E6==:?8 J@FC 4@?D6CG2E:G6[ {FE96C2? A2DE@C 72E96C J@F’C6 >2CCJ:?8 2 >2?[” z2?:EK D2:5]k^Am

kAm%96 4@?G6CD2E:@? 2>@F?E65 E@[ “*@F <?@H[ x’> 92AAJ 7@C J@F[ 3FE J@F <?@H >J E9@F89ED @? E9:D]” xE H2D E96 =2DE E:>6 E96J DA@<6 367@C6 9:D 72E96C 5:65 @7 2 962CE 2EE24< 2 >@?E9 =2E6C]k^Am

kAmz2?:EK 5@6D?’E =:G6 H:E9 F?C6D@=G65 766=:?8D[ E9@F89] tG6? 27E6C 96 42>6 @FE[ 9:D 525 ?6G6C DE@AA65 8:G:?8 9:> E96 D2>6 3:8 9F8D 96 8@E 8C@H:?8 FA]k^Am

kAm#:I 92D ?6G6C E2=<65 DA64:7:42==J 23@FE 9:D D6IF2=:EJ H:E9 9:D 525[ 2=E9@F89 9:D 72E96C H2D 2E E96 H655:?8]k^Am

kAmqFE E9@D6 E9:?8D 2C6?’E :>A@CE2?E E@ #:I] {:G:?8 2FE96?E:42==J :D]k^Am

kAm“xE’D AC@323=J 2? 68@ E9:?8 7@C >6[ 3FE x 5@?’E 2D< A6C>:DD:@? 7@C 2?JE9:?8[” 96 D2:5] “x ;FDE 5@ :E]”k^Am

kAm%92E 3C:?8D :ED @H? 492==6?86D :? E@H?D =:<6 (2J?6[ H9:49 E96J 36=:6G6 ?665D 2E =62DE 2?@E96C 86?6C2E:@? E@ 3C62< 5@H? 6I:DE:?8 32CC:6CD] qFE @E96CD 2=C625J D66 AC@8C6DD E96J ?6G6C E9@F89E A@DD:3=6]k^Am

kAm$9@A<6 @?46 76=E :D@=2E65 3642FD6 @7 9:D D6IF2=:EJ] }@H 96 D66D <:5D >@C6 @A6? 23@FE H9@ E96J 2C6] !2CE @7 E92E :D E96 D9:7E:?8 D@4:2= 2E>@DA96C6[ 96 D2:5[ 3FE :E 2=D@ 92D E@ 5@ H:E9 D66:?8 A6@A=6 =:<6 9:> DF44665 2?5 >2<6 2 9@>6 96C6]k^Am

kAm“%92E 567:?:E6=J @A6?D FA >J H@C=5 G:6HD[” 96 D2:5] “p?JE9:?8’D A@DD:3=6[ C62==J]”k^Am

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQmY Y Yk^Am

kAm%@?:89E E96C6’D 2 49:== :? E96 u63CF2CJ 2:C] p D?@HDE@C> :D 6IA64E65 62C=J :? E96 >@C?:?8[ D@ E96 E@H? :D BF:6E] qFE #:I 2?5 z2?:EK 2C6 H2C> :?D:56 E96:C 9@>6i 4FCE2:?D 5C2H?[ @? E96 4@F49[ :==F>:?2E65 3J E96 D@7E =:89E @7 2? @G6C9625 =2>A]k^Am

kAm~FED:56[ E96:C E2=< :D 4@?DF>65 H:E9 6IA2?5:?8 3FD:?6DD[ :?4C62D:?8 C6G6?F6 2?5 4@?G:?4:?8 >@C6 =@42= DE@C6D E@ @A6? @? $F?52JD]k^Am

kAmx?D:56 :E’D 5:776C6?E]k^Am

Lukas Rix (left) and Mark Kanitz relax in their renovated home in Wayne.

CHRIS BOWLING, For the Journal Star

kAmz2?:EK A@:?ED E@ H96C6 96 4@F=5 :>28:?6 E96:C <:5D A=2J:?8 H:E9 {68@D] #:I AC@F5=J C64:E6D E96 9:DE@CJ @7 E96:C ':4E@C:2? 9@>6] qF:=E :? `ghb 3J E96 @H?6C @7 2 =@42= 3C:4<J2C5[ :E 925 D66? >2?J 86?6C2E:@?D 367@C6 E96J 3@F89E :E :? a_`b 2?5 DA6?E 4@F?E=6DD 9@FCD @G6C EH@ J62CD DEC:AA:?8 2?5 49:D6=:?8 :E E@H2C5 C6DE@C2E:@?]k^Am

kAm%96J’C6 8:G:?8 :E FA E@ 5@H?D:K6[ E9@F89[ 2?5 3@E9 D2J E96J’C6 ?@E D25 E@ =62G6 :E 369:?5] xE’D 2 92C5 E9:?8 E@ :>28:?6[ 8:G6? E96 H@C< E92E H6?E :?E@ :E[ 3FE ?@E :7 J@F <?@H E96:C >:DD:@? :? 3FD:?6DD 2?5 =:76]k^Am

kAm“*@F 5@?’E ;FDE E9:?< 7@C J@FCD6=7[” #:I D2:5] “*@F E9:?< 7@C E96 4@>>F?:EJ]”k^Am

kAmpD :? 3@@DE:?8 D>2==\E@H? 3FD:?6DD] !C@AA:?8 FA @E96C J@F?8 6?EC6AC6?6FCD] #6DE@C:?8 9:DE@C:4 3F:=5:?8D D@ ?6H 86?6C2E:@?D 42? =@@< @? E96> H:E9 AC:56]k^Am

kAmxE’D H9@ E96J 2C6 — 2 7F?52>6?E2= E6?6E E92E 6IA=2:?D ?@E @?=J E96>[ 3FE 2=D@ E9:D E@H? 2?5 E96 A6@A=6 H9@ 7@F?565 :E]k^Am

kAmxE’D H9J 2 DE@CJ =:<6 E92E @7 {F<2D #:I 2?5 |2C< z2?:EK 92AA6?65 :? (2J?6[ }63C2D<2] q642FD6[  2=E9@F89 E96C6’D ?@ =:EE=6 9@FD6 @? E96 AC2:C:6 @C H28@? EC2:? DEC6E49:?8 H6DEH2C5[ :E 4@F=5?’E 92G6 92AA6?65 2?JH96C6 6=D6]k^Am

The writer is a senior journalism major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a former Journal Star intern.

“Several different people can see the possibility, but someone has to jump off the cliff first to know that there is something down below.” — Luke Virgil, executive director of Wayne Area Economic Development

Pull quote

0 Comments

Love

147

Funny

8

Wow

8

Sad

10

Angry

38

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Related to this story

Rankings put Nebraska among sickest states, but flu season might be waning

The stubborn flu — which has been hanging around weeks longer than in normal years — appears to be loosening its grip.

Piezano's, Sheldon Museum among 2018 Nebraska Passport stops

Travelers can sip soda, view priceless works of art and marvel at nature's beauty on their way to visiting 70 attractions included in this yea…

Jim McKee: Stories about of life, death on trails west

The Oregon Trail is often thought of as it was presented in the old western movies, as a sort of romantic and picturesque journey across the U…

'This is our third child': Veterinarians restore historic Hartington Hotel

HARTINGTON — Taking a break after a morning spent serving coffee and breakfast, Erin Schroeder laughs, repeating the joke that she and her hus…

Watch Now: Related Video

Dan Walter speaks on Third City Christian Church expansion

Trump Asks Google CEO To Rename Atlantic Ocean On Maps

Trump Asks Google CEO To Rename Atlantic Ocean On Maps

Eric Dunning, director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance speaks at ribbon cutting for Medica

Eric Dunning, director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance speaks at ribbon cutting for Medica

Denver Archbishop James Golka Prays Over President Trump

Denver Archbishop James Golka Prays Over President Trump

Close

Mark Kanitz, Lukas Rix

Mark Kanitz (left) and Lukas Rix have worked together to bring life to Wayne's business district, including renovating the old city hall into the 1912 Emporium.

Lukas Rix (left) and Mark Kanitz relax in their renovated home in Wayne.

Brewer Greg Ptacek explains the work to open Johnnie Byrd Brewing Co. in the former Wayne fire station.

×

JournalStar.com

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

Services

© Copyright 2026 The Lincoln Journal Star, PO Box 81609 Lincoln, NE 68501

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Subscribe

Breaking News

Subscribe

Husker News

Subscribe

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverJCBDiners ClubCredit CardCredit Card

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

or

Sign up with

Facebook Google

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

or

Sign in with

Facebook Google

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

Sign in with

Email Address

Continue with Email Address

or

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

American Express Discover Mastercard Visa JCB Diners Club Credit Card Credit Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers