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Archie Hightshoe Animal Collection


category : Museums
Archie Hightshoe Animal Collection

Nestled among the storefronts of Ashland, Nebraska is Willow Point Gallery, the home of The Archie Hightshoe Big Game Collection, or as local people call it, "Home of the Bear." There, for the delight of all ages, over 30 animals will be found amid their natural habitat, a simulation created by local artist Gene Roncka and his design collaborator, Jim Shaul of Gretna.


Visitors to the gallery can venture through all four seasons. The landscape for the animals extends from summer to winter and features a waterfall, stream and "wishing pond" with real fish. Unique lighting effects bring daybreak to twilight and naturalistic music brings the display to life.


Archie Hightshoe


A leader in Ashland, Nebraska's business community, Mr. Hightshoe generously gave his time to the
community that he loved. Archie served in many capacities in Ashland including: the Red Cross, Masonic
Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, School Board, City Council, and the Saunders County Board of
Commissioners until his death in 1989. He was a big game hunter and his collection is now on display at the
Willow Point Gallery in Ashland.


The display includes one of the Largest Alaskan Polar Bears - Black Bear - Caribou - Alligator - Mountain Lions - Live Fish - Waterfall - Willow Creek - Snowfall



Admission: FREE ADMISSION
Hours: HOURS: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 1431 Silver Street
Phone: (402) 944-3613
The gallery also showcases originals and prints of Roncka's award winning paintings.

Come visit us in Mahoney State Park, Nebraska

Mahoney State Park Camping

Mahoney SP Camping
Mahoney SP CampingLittle Creek and Lakeside campgrounds offer 149 spacious, hard-surface pads, situated among mature shade trees near Owen Marina Lake. Each site has both 30 and 20 amp electrical hookups. Modern shower/latrine buildings and drinking water are conveniently located in both areas. There is a coin-operated laundry in the shower building at Little Creek. Trailer dump stations and water are available near the park entrance. Primitive camping is also available in the park.

Mahoney State Park Cabins

Mahoney SP Cabins and Lodge
Mahoney SP Cabins and LodgeSecluded on wooded ridge tops, Mahoney State Park's 51 modern, housekeeping cabins are available throughout the year. Linens, tableware and basic
cookware are provided. Each cabin has air conditioning and heat, fireplace, television, refrigerator, range, outdoor deck and grill. Three four-bedroom cabins can host larger families or group retreats. The other cabins all have two bedrooms, and some are handicap accessible.

In the 4-bedroom cabins, each bedroom has a vanity and ample closet space. There are two large bathrooms. The cabins feature a large great room with a open design fireplace. On one side of the central fireplace is a seating area and on the other a large dining area with adjacent kitchen area. The great room features a cathedral beamed ceiling with one end opening
out onto a screened porch.

Peter Kiewit Lodge offers 40 guest rooms, each with air conditioning and heat, telephone, televisions and a private bath. Sixteen have sleeping lofts and fireplaces. All but 16 rooms have walkout decks overlooking the
park or the Platte River. Lodge rooms have two queen beds or one king bed each.

Lodging reservations are accepted for two or more nights up to one year in advance by mail, phone, or in person during regular park office mhours. A two-night minimum stay and advance deposit are required.

Mahoney State Park Fishing

Mahoney SP Fishing
There are two lakes on the park, 4 1/2-acre Owen Marina Lake and 10-acre Quest Lake.

Fishing is allowed in both lakes subject to special regulations. The larger lake has two fishing piers. The Ruth Giger Memorial Fishing Bridge on Owen Marina Lake and the west pier on Quest Lake provide access for handicapped anglers. Anglers should inquire about regulations and conditions before planning an outing.

Mahoney State Park Activity Centers

Mahoney SP Activity Center
Mahoney SP Activity CenterFrom horseback riding to swimming and sliding, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers activities to suit anyone\'s recreation agenda, and now the park offers even more with its new Activity Center and Ice Skating Pavilion.

Equipped with refrigeration units, the Pavilion will offer ice skating from November through March. In other months, it will host gatherings of up to 1,000 people for family reunions, meetings and other events. The Activity Center has a snack bar, an indoor playground and computer games simulating golf, rock climbing, firearm and archery hunting and other sports.

Hours/2013 = Mon.Thurs.Fri. = 4pm to 8pm
Sat. = 11am to 8pm
Sun. = 11am to 6pm
CLOSED TUES. AND WED.

Mahoney State Park Equestrian

Mahoney SP Trail Rides
Other park activities include trail rides, which depart from the John Wayne Riding Stables. Paddleboats are available on Owen Marina Lake. The park also has tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, a softball diamond and nature and hiking trails. The 70-foot tall Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Mahoney State Park Entertainment

Mahoney SP Theatres
There's a gift shop and game room at Kiewit Lodge and an orientation theater in the John R. Lauritzen Administration Building. The Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theater offers summer stock and special presentations. It is also available for group rental.

Mahoney State Park Swimming

Pool and Slide Complex
Pool and Slide ComplexEugene T. Mahoney State Park's Family Aquatic Center is fun for everyone. The complex has two twisting, 236-foot water slides, 0-depth swimming & wave pool, kid's water playground, spacious sundeck, change house, and concession.

Mahoney State Park Conservatories

James Family Conservatory
The James Family Conservatory is a dual-purpose facility, devoted to displays on native Nebraska plants and aquatic resources and also a working
greenhouse, where plants are grown for the park and other Commission areas.

Guests are welcome to visit the greenhouse when horticulturists are working. Near the Conservatory is the Ruth Giger Memorial Waterway. A system of trails connect the Waterway to the Conservatory, Owen Marina, the parking lot west of the pool and the Owen Tennis Courts.

Mahoney State Park Golf Courses

Mahoney SP Golf
The John R. Lauritzen Driving Range gives golfers a chance to practice their skills, and clubs are available for those wanting to learn the game.

For family fun, visit the 18-hole Esther Marie Daniel Miniature Golf Course
nearby.

For veteran golfers wishing a special challenge, the new Quarry Oaks Golf Course near the park offers a fabulous golfing experience set on the rolling wooded hills overlooking the Platte River. Quarry Oaks has been touted as on one of the best new public golf courses in the United States. Contact
Quarry Oaks at (402) 944-6000 to arrange your tee times up to 30 days in advance.

Mahoney State Park Winter Sports

Mahoney SP Winter Sports
Mahoney SP Winter SportsWeather, too, dictates outdoor fun at Mahoney. When conditions are safe, ice fishing is allowed on US West Lake. With man-made
snowmaking capability downhill sledding at the Fred H. Hawkins Toboggan Runs
near Riverview Lodge attracts many winter sports enthusiasts.

Cross-country skiing is also popular when there is sufficient natural
snowfall. Many park activities are offered only during the peak operating season from May through October. During other months special activities
are held on weekends or by advance arrangements with the park office.

Park Area Attractions

Ashland 19

Valparaiso 4

Wahoo 18

Weeping Water 9

Elmwood 7

Syracuse 9

Lincoln 1

Park Area Events

Ashland 9

Wahoo 9

Weeping Water 4

Elmwood 1

Syracuse 4

Lincoln 16

Park Area Businesses

Ashland 36

Wahoo 19

Weeping Water 6

Elmwood 6

Syracuse 28