Nebraska H2O

Walter Walleye’s Diary

Dear Diary: July 2007, My Birthday!

This is me when I was just a model in my parent’s eye.

I was born a poor green fish in Harlingen Texas. My parent was Character-Costumes of Harlingen. I had a difficult birth being over due by 2 months, it seems I was a lot harder to create than my parent expected.

I was disappointed to find out that I had missed my first big event by being over due. The event I missed was the Children’s Groundwater Festival that was held in Grand Island in May. The Festival was the main reason I was created and I missed it. I felt bad and this was a huge set back for me. I had almost given up hope on ever finding a home.

But I was finally delivered to my home in Grand Island, Nebraska in July 2007. I made the bumpy trip from Texas and arrived at City Hall in Grand Island in a beat up cardboard box. No worse for the wear I began my life as the Nebraska H2O Stormwater mascot. I hung around the Public works office on a coat tree. The folks at City Hall complimented me on my good looks. I was shy at first I just smiled back at them.

Dear Diary: August 2007

As a young fish I just wanted to get my fins wet with the public. So I started out with a few small events. I made a special guest appearance at the Nebraska Stormwater Cooperative meeting. At that meeting I tried the old Fisherman is after me gag. I came running in from the back of the room with a big hook in my mouth. I got a good laugh and a good hand when I left the room. I don’t think the guys of the Cooperative bought it, I need more practice, but it was fun anyway.

I then made an appearance at the City of Grand Island Directors meeting. I gave Steve Riehle back his entry card to City Hall that he had lost. He lost it down of all places, the Storm drain! After I had a stern word with Steve he promised to be more careful in the future. The directors and Mayor gave me a big hand as I left the room. Thanks Steve and Catrina for setting this up and performing.

I had gained some confidence by now and it was time for my first TV appearance. I would be appearing at the Nebraska H2O media campaign kickoff event. I put my best fish face on and greeted the members of the media and the Cooperative members. The event was held outside in front of the lake at Pier Park in Grand Island. It was a hot day but I think I kept my cool. The nice folks from Ervin and Smith helped us set up this event. They did a great job! Thanks Barry and Lori! And all my friends with the Cooperative were at the event to offer their support. We had a good time and got Nebraska H2O off to a good start.

Dear Diary: September 5-6, 2007 Little Blue NRD Water Jamboree, Liberty

I had grown up a lot in just a few months so it was time to stretch my fins and hit the road. I traveled to Liberty Cove and made a two day appearance at the Little Blue NRD’s Water Jamboree.

I met over 800 kids at the Jamboree where Jeremy Groves (City of Hastings) educated the children at the event about pollution in Stormwater Runoff and helped them play my interactive video game “Nobody Knows Where it Goes” At the end of the game Jeremy introduced me to the classes. I met the kids and gave them Walter Walleye stickers and tattoos. The kids all gave me some high fin for doing a good job playing the game. I also gave countless hugs and pats on the head.

But for me the most memorable part of the event was that I brought just a little sunshine into the life of a very special little boy. He enjoyed the game and meeting me so much his teacher let him sit through the whole presentation 3 times just so he could meet me after the game. I will always remember the smile on his face. Education is all about the kids. I had a great time!

Dear Diary: September 14, 2007

Bill Brecks with the City of Lexington invited me to the Lexington VS Ogallala Tailgate Party. Over 250 people took part in this event organized by the Booster Club, band, United Way, Chamber of Commerce and Nebraska H2O. I gave away bottles of water, tattoos, and Nebraska H2O Brochures.

We had a great time and I really thought we could make the difference but Ogallala was just too good no this night, and Lexington Lost the Football game. But you can tell by the smiles in the photos that the loss was not due to the lack of support.

Dear Diary: September 22, 2007 Knights of Columbus Parade In Norfolk

I got up early this Saturday morning and went to Norfolk to join my friend Jim Koch with the City of Norfolk for the Knights of Columbus Parade. We put the Nebraska H2O banners on the sides of Jims City pickup.

Jim had 4 helpers for the parade, the volunteers were furnished by Keep Norfolk Beautiful. The young volunteers did a great job on the parade route handing out candy and tattoos. They also handed out stickers and brochures in bags supplied by Keep Norfolk Beautiful. The helpers also corrected the folks on parade route that mistook me for a FROG! Me a fine example of a Walleye mistaken for A FROG, can you imagine? We all had a great time. I can’t thank Jim enough for inviting me!

Dear Diary: October 6, 2007 the Harvest of Harmony Parade, Grand Island Nebraska

I have had a lot of help getting ready for the Harvest of Harmony Parade. Catrina DeLosh the Public Works Secretary found volunteers to help hand out candy and carry the Nebraska H2O banner. Steve Riehle joined in the fun too, walking with us and helping to hand out candy. I wanted my helpers to look good and since I could not find enough fish costumes they got Nebraska H2O sweatshirts with my picture on the back. Of course I would have preferred MY picture on the front but Nebraska H2O paid for them so I guess they should be on the front.

While waiting in line with the other entries to join the parade my friends handed out stickers and tattoos to the kids that were riding on the floats. I got to meet Smokey the Bear and Ronald McDonald. We swapped mascot stories and gave high fives to as many of the parade participants as we could before starting our long walk. Even Elvis stopped by to say hi and shake my fin.

It was warm and windy but I kept my cool waving to the people while the volunteers did all the hard work handing candy to all the kids both young and old along the parade route. We all had a good time!

Dear Diary: October 11th Environmental Festival in Ord.

I loaded up the truck and made my way to Ord Nebraska to meet my new friends Linda Studnicka with Keep Loup Basin Beautiful and Cheryl Tickner with UNL Extension who organized the event. Mark Sintek was also a lot of help at the event. The kids had their lunch in the stadium bleachers. We put on a short skit for them educating them about how pollution affects wildlife and wildlife habitat. I had fun meeting the kids and organizers at the event I hope they ask me to come back next year.