(gentle music) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] Coming up on "Nebraska Stories," the strange and spectacular masks of Doane Powell, (upbeat music) a new use for old footballs, from beatboxer to vocal entrepreneur, meet D-Wayne, (upbeat music) and a Wilber man shows us why he loves running for president.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (gentle music) (gentle music) (gentle music) (gentle music) (gentle music) (gentle music) (gentle music) - [Narrator] Doane Powell believed every face held beauty, character or significance.

(gentle music) He was fascinated by the details and differences expressed in a human face, and he put those qualities in a mask form.

(gentle music) - [Jordan] These masks were made by Doane Powell, primarily in the 1930s through the 1950s.

(gentle music) They were really unique in the sense that they were made to be used in advertisements, in circuses, on television, in movies, theatrical productions.

- Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome once again to masquerade party, Bobby Sherwood.

There he is.

(audience clapping) - [Narrator] Powell also created masks of recognizable figures.

A veritable who's who of the biggest names in politics and pop culture during these years.

(gentle music) Many of them were household names at the time and now are largely forgotten.

A nod to the fleeting nature of fame.

(gentle music) With an art degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, the Omaha born artist spent years as a political cartoonist.

He later moved to Paris to further his studies in art before ultimately settling in New York City with his family.

That's when Powell's mask making took off.

- A lot of people think that they're just paper-mache, but he used this like laminated paper technique and just kind of really experimented.

(paper rustling) - [Narrator] Curator Jordan Miller, who works with 3D objects, was a bit taken aback the first time she saw the masks.

(cardboard rubbing) - [Jordan] The thing that jumps out to me most is the fact that they are so lifelike.

Every mask has their own box.

You open the box and it's like you're looking at somebody who was just beheaded because they're so real, and I think that's probably one of the things that's most striking about them.

(gentle music) He seemed to be an eccentric artist.

(gentle music) You go and see his masks and they are super animated And exaggerated and colorful.

This is another scrapbook we have in the Doane Powell collection.

This one is though primarily of his apprentice, Kari Hunt's career.

This is a photo of Kari and her husband Doug.

Here is Kari with her daughter Karen, who is the one who donated the Doane Powell collection.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] Karen Schnitzspahn remembers meeting the eccentric artist.

After her mother, Kari Hunt reached out to Powell.

- [Karen] She wrote a letter to him and she said she was very interested in learning how to make masks, and he invited her to come to his studio and to learn.

I was only about three or four years old.

(gentle music) My mom took me into New York with her, and it was so funny and so exciting.

Doane Powell was sitting on a bench wearing a pig mask that had a little straw hat, and he was waving to me and I thought it was just, was a little bit scary, but it was the funniest thing as well.

(gentle music) And then we went to his studio, he was very kind.

(gentle music) I do remember the walls were covered with masks.

(gentle music) It was quite a place, it was memorable for sure.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] Both artists made hundreds of masks.

Powell even wrote a book detailing his methods for making masks.

When Doane Powell died in 1951, he left the collection in Hunt's Care.

(gentle music) - [Karen] She often talked about him And missed him very much.

(gentle music) He really gave her so much knowledge about mask making.

(gentle music) She enjoyed her time at his studio.

(gentle music) In her later years, she did tell me that she hoped that I would keep the masks and perhaps find a home for them.

(gentle music) I started writing to so many different museums (gentle music) and I got the same answer most of the time that, oh, that's very interesting.

We love those masks, but we just don't have any place to store them ourselves.

(gentle music) I remembered that Doane Powell came from Nebraska.

(gentle music) - [Jordan] Kari's daughter, Karen actually reached out to us seeing if we were interested in acquiring this collection, and we were, and it was really great because it wasn't just the masks, it's also archival material.

(paper rustling) We have a large photo collection that's all digitized and online, and then we also have two scrapbooks.

(Jordan talking about scrapbook in background) This just really tells a fuller story of who Doane Powell was and Kari Hunt, and how the masks were made and used.

(gentle music) He had a lot of really unique techniques, (gentle music) but then it also presented a lot of issues after they had been stored in a variety of conditions for decades.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] The task of restoring these delicate creations fell to the conservators at the Ford Conservation Center in Omaha.

(gentle music) - [Jordan] It was a unique challenge to try and figure out what he had used and how they could conserve it or restore it or, you know, get it to its true likeness.

(gentle music) - [Adam] I find this one remarkable because it has a mixed emotion and there's a special degree of tension that's in this smile.

- [Jordan] We have people coming and researching how he was doing what he was doing, and how they can interpret that in their own work.

- [Adam] One of the measurements that I've taken is the pupillary distance, and on average our pupils are around three inches apart.

- [Narrator] One of those people is Adam Houghton, a theater professor who teaches a class and mask performance at Brigham Young University in Utah.

(gentle music) - [Adam] They make up a remarkable collection as the work of an artist.

For me, they have a meaning because the masks allow us to see things that we can't see in our daily life.

(gentle music) For an acting student, it reveals all of this new skillset in terms of developing the body to be able to express all the emotions that the face can express.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] Using Powell's book as a guide, Houghton made his own mask.

(gentle music) (gentle music) - [Michele] Wow, well, can I ask you a question?

(gentle music) - I can't speak with it on.

(laughs) (gentle music) - [Narrator] We may never know why Doane Powell and Kari Hunt dedicated so much of their lives to the art of mask making, a cultural tradition dating back thousands of years.

(gentle music) - [Adam] It is a tool of transformation and it links back to ancient practices and rituals, but it can also occur just in our celebratory moments when we put on masks like Halloween or dress up parties and so on, where we then can open the door to another way of being.

(gentle music) - [Jordan] Doane Powell was born and raised and worked and played in Nebraska for a long time, and then he went and he went to Paris and New York.

And so these masks just tell a national story as opposed to just a Nebraska story, which makes him just even more special.

(gentle music) - [Karen] My dad was a part-time magician, and my parents did magic shows, (gentle music) and they often used the masks along with the magic.

(gentle music) The newspapers in New Jersey used to go wild over the masks and sometimes we would have reporters come and do photo shoots with the masks, and this was one of my favorite things, and I do remember this.

(gentle music) My parents and I would be wearing the masks at some sort of a public place, and people would walk by and See these faces of these masks.

(gentle music) Some of them were the funny ones, some were the world leaders, and they would just be so startled and taken back, and then when they found out they're masks, they loved it, it with great fun.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] For Karen, who grew up surrounded by these strange and wonderful faces, (gentle music) the masks carry a more personal meaning.

(gentle music) - [Karen] My bedroom was on the third floor of our house.

The third floor had two bedrooms, one of 'em was mine and the other became the mask room.

It was right next to my bedroom, so it was a little scary at night.

(gentle music) I thought I would hear the masks talking to each other.

I would have some nightmares about them, but there were also some masks that I felt were my playmates, my friends.

(gentle music) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] This unique ball cap, with a leather patch made from a game-used football, can be found all over North Platte.

In the historic downtown shop, in the high school store.

and on the heads of residents all around town.

And although these hats are made in the city limits, the business named Hide Park Apparel started its journey back in Texas with a childhood passion for the sport.

- [Josh] I was at home in Texas at my folks' house over Thanksgiving and kind of had this idea when I was looking through our old garage and seeing some really dusty old footballs that hadn't been played with for a long time.

That kind of sparked the idea of what if they didn't just collect dust in the garage?

What if you could repurpose them into something?

- [Katelyn] Honestly, I think he was kind of playing it it off, I don't know if this is a great idea, but what if we took game used footballs and cut up the leather and made patch hats out of 'em?

And I mean, I remember looking at my friends and being like, "That's actually a really cool idea."

- [Josh] Our first prototype, if you will, was kind of this old, rubbery, nasty football that I thought, okay, if I just cut something out by hand and slapped it on a hat, would that even look cool?

So me being a true Texan, I cut out the shape of a Texas.

And I thought it looked really cool.

And then even my other friends from Georgia and my wife from Nebraska, even though they, they're not from Texas, they still thought the Texas patch looked cool.

So that first one made the cut, if you will and we decided from there, what if we made more?

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] As their designs expanded, So did the business.

After long days at the office, they were supporting Hide Park Apparel late into the night.

Then, in 2020, the spread of COVID-19 affected Josh's 9 to 5 in Georgia.

The Sperle's decided it was time to move their family and business back to Katelyn's hometown, North Platte.

The community wrapped their arms around the family business, helping Hide Park grow even more.

- They reached out to me over Facebook for the chance to put their hats into our school store, unknowing that I also run a small business here that sells clothes and accessories.

I kind of worked with him to get not only our high school store on board with their hats, but also our store, and people loved them.

- [Katelyn] They really rallied behind us, which has been great.

I mean that's the Nebraska spirit behind just the good old people that want to support local.

- [Josh] I was in small business banking here in North Platte.

Most nights and weekends from nine to 11, nine to midnight, I'd be cutting leather patches and attaching hats.

I had a number of folks in my corner just say, "Hey, when are you going to take the big leap?"

And so while I did enjoy what I did in banking, it was like, I'm not getting any younger.

If I want to follow my dreams and do an entrepreneurial venture, (upbeat music) there's no time like the present.

So I took that leap and haven't looked back.

(upbeat music) Completed hat.

Just like that.

- [Katelyn] I thought when he quit his job that I was going to stay put with my full-time position where I was for a while.

You don't just both jump ship.

Well, it grew fast enough where it was kind of in my mind I was like, he needs help.

We met working together.

We know the pros and cons, and we've walked through the pros and cons, and the rollercoaster it can be, but it's been a good thing and I enjoy working with him.

- [Narrator] With both Josh and Katelyn working the business full-time from home, their daughters get to be a part of Hide Park.

The love for football that started in Josh's childhood, now gets to be shared first hand with kids of his own.

- [Katelyn] Part of the reason we took the jump to doing this full-time was because we want to put our family first and so with football being tied to that, it's really cool.

-[Josh] Our six-year-old, Joy, I mean she can play a part where she loves to put our stickers on our hats to mark our brand, and she likes to take pride in putting it on there the right way every time and that sort of deal.

Our three-year-old I don't know if she knows a ton of what's going on a lot of times.

I hope she thinks it's neat that, you know, daddy's following his dreams and owning a family business, and trying to kind of control our own destiny on, if you put in the hard work, hopefully that will pay off.

(upbeat music) - Hey, what's up?

I'm D-Wayne and I'm a vocal entrepreneur.

So, I'm a host/master of ceremonies, a public speaking coach, I'm a radio host, TV host, a freelance commercial host, a voiceover artist and...

It's an arts event like no other.

I'm pretty sure I'm missing something.

- That's when you know you're busy, when you can't list all the things you do, right?

- (laughs) Yeah.

Red 94.5, "D-Wayne in The AM," this past Friday... - [Narrator] D-Wayne is a busy guy.

(D-Wayne chatting) A few hours a day he's on air at a local radio station, also its program director.

The rest of the time he's doing a wide range of things for the business he's built for more than a decade.

As D-Wayne with a hyphen, by the way.

- [D-Wayne] I decided to throw the hyphen in there because everyone had a performer name, and so I didn't want to be like DJ Etch-a-Sketch -or anything, -(Mike chuckling) so I just decided to use my regular name, but make it easier to pronounce.

- [Mike] So when did this all start?

- [D-Wayne] I would say this started in high school.

I was hosting pep rallies.

I was probably a junior, like 11th grade.

And I really saw the people responding well, and I never felt good about being in front of an audience.

That wasn't my favorite part.

It was the fact that the audience responded.

(D-Wayne beatboxing) - [Narrator] Before that there was beatboxing.

Something the high school freshmen on the marching band drumline with an ear for percussion and rhythm discovered and fell in love with.

(D-Wayne beatboxing) - [D-Wayne] When I first started, it was the thing.

Like I was D-Wayne Beatbox.

(D-Wayne beatboxing) - What is beatboxing?

- Beatboxing is the art of producing sounds using your nasal cavities, your lips, your tongue, your teeth, your vocal cords.

It's anything in your body that you're doing to produce percussive sounds.

(D-Wayne beatboxing) (D-Wayne beatboxing) (D-Wayne beatboxing) ♪ Hello, hello ♪ ♪ What's up TEDX Lincoln ♪ - [Narrator] Back when he was just D-Wayne Beatbox, TEDX Lincoln invited him to talk about the evolution of the art form.

- So emotion's actually a huge part of it, and I'll actually want a little crowd interaction here.

- [Narrator] What happened afterwards was an a-ha moment for the entrepreneur.

- Thank you.

(crowd cheering and clapping) - The emails I got said nothing about my noises.

"Great presentation, would you mind coming and introducing blank, blank, blank, blank, blank."

I said, "Whoa, all those skills that I had built were the ones that got their attention, not me making all this noise."

That was my a-ha.

♪ Now let me see you cha-cha ♪ (D-Wayne beatboxing) - [Narrator] He still beatboxes, but after UNL's Engler Entrepreneurship Program helped him hone his plan, D-Wayne grew his business.

- Class of 2027!

Welcome to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Welcome to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

- [Narrator] His alma mater is a frequent client.

He's hosted a welcome event for new students several times.

(crowd cheering) D-Wayne's been the face and voice for some memorable things during in his career.

Big things like Husker basketball and the College World Series.

Powerful things like an event helping vets transition to civilian life.

But nothing like this...

But nothing like this... (energetic music) - Fans, welcome to the gorgeous Memorial Stadium - Fans, welcome to the gorgeous Memorial Stadium for a volleyball game in Nebraska!

for a volleyball game in Nebraska!

(crowd cheering and clapping) How are we feeling?

(crowd cheering and clapping) And this one right here gives me goosebumps, Nebraska is now a world record holder Nebraska is now a world record holder for attendance at a women's sporting event.

(crowd cheering) Go big red!

This is awesome.

(laughing) To feel the energy and know that everyone is happy.

Everyone's on the same page, and I just get to add to it and push it a little bit.

(D-Wayne clapping) - [Narrator] D-Wayne's had offers to take an easier road, a steady job doing similar work for someone else.

He's resisted that temptation.

- [D-Wayne] Like, this is my life's work.

I think over the past probably year and a half, I have made that realization, which I've been doing it for awhile, so it's wild to think that being a master of ceremonies is actually my life's work and it feels like it.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (truck rumbling) - [Narrator] The small town of Wilber in Southeast Nebraska is known as the Czech Capital of the USA.

While its heritage is Eastern European, there's one thing that's all-American.

(marching band music) (marching band music) - [Narrator] Les Vilda is a portrait of patriotism, from the Star-Spangled hat on his head, right down to his red and white striped pants.

His white beard completes the Uncle Sam look he's perfected, which is the perfect look for a politician.

Yes, Les has run for president of the United States, four times.

The fact that he never wins or even gets more than a handful of votes doesn't bother him.

Okay, well, I didn't get this one, Let's start.

Let's come up with something new.

Let's run again for the next four years.

- [Narrator] He's never really not running for president.

Why does he do it?

- [Les] Because you couldn't do any worse.

It's my campaign slogan, I've been using it ever since I started running for president in 2007.

Get more with Les, because you couldn't do any worse.

- [Narrator] You can't accuse less of not telling the truth.

He even refuses to make campaign promises to voters.

- If I promise you nothing and I accomplish nothing, you won't be disappointed that you voted for me.

(engine chugging) (engine chugging) - [Narrator] Transportation is one issue that brings attention for Les.

He calls this 1920 Model TT Ford truck his mobile campaign headquarters.

It's the same truck his dad drove when he was in high school back in the 30s.

Everyone knows when this candidate pulls into town.

Oh, the looks I used to get, oh my goodness, it's more pointing.

Look at that!

But I'm not sure if they're pointing at me or they're pointing at the truck, but I guess we're a group package, so it doesn't really matter.

- [Narrator] Even though Les never wins these election races, it hasn't stopped him from preparing.

He knows who he wants in his presidential cabinet.

Names like Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, and Johnny Walker.

He also tells voters his platform is solid.

- [Les] It's an 8 by 14 made of redwood, sits off the back of my house.

It's a beautiful platform.

(engine rattling) (truck honking clown horn) - [Narrator] Even if Les never wins an election, and he most assuredly won't, he will still be remembered thanks to the Les Vilda Presidential Museum and Library, which he's already built, right off the highway in Wilber.

- [Les] Some people think it looks like an outhouse.

I say it's all in the eyes of the beholder.

It's a two-story structure.

(presidential music) The library is on the first floor, the museum's in the basement, and we're proud to boast that there's new exhibits added daily.

Free admission, children half-price.

- [Narrator] Another place Les frequents is the local Foxhole Tavern.

- B.E.E.R.

Party supporters!

Hey, how's it going?

- [Narrator] The beer in this B.E.E.R.

Party actually stands for the group's mascot, a biologically engineered cross between a bear and a deer.

At least that's what they say it stands for.

- Les usually buys the rounds.

- [Narrator] His campaign supporters take up an entire table in the back.

And no matter the year, and no matter the opponent, they know how the race will end.

- [David] I would put Les' chances at less and less.

- [Narrator] Yet, it's not so much about the winning and losing with Les.

They see him as someone who's not just a local character, but a candidate with character.

- [Luann] I guess I'd say there is so much hate in this world anymore, and I could not tell you one person that hates Les or one person Les would hate.

He is just an awesome guy, awesome guy.

- [Supporters] Bravo, bravo, bravo.

(clapping) - [Narrator] Which leads to the real reason Les has been running for president since 2007.

It's about a different campaign, one to encourage us to use politics to bring the country together instead of tearing us apart.

- [Les] Because I see a lot of the conflict.

Maybe hatred is too strong of a word, but it's, I don't know, it seems that people, when people are having a good time, things seem to fall into place, it's going to work out better than when they're fighting, when they're in conflict.

So yeah, put that smile on their face.

- [Narrator] That smile is the only campaign promise Les knows he can deliver.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] Watch more Nebraska stories on our website, Facebook and YouTube.

(upbeat music) Nebraska Stories is funded in part by the Margaret and Martha Thomas Foundation.

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