The Heart of the Story: Honoring the fallen of World War II
Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies, and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition.
Honoring the fallen from World War II has become a family affair for a young woman in the Netherlands, connecting with American families in a tribute to the sacrifice of those who died while fighting in Europe. Gary Metivier introduces us to Sandra Schuitemaker in The Heart of the Story.
Gary Metivier has The Heart of the Story above and even more about their story and what happens next on . You can also listen to the . The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier is available on all platforms — and now .
| | |
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Forbes
25 minutes ago
- Forbes
From Page To Stage: New Dramatists Shapes Generations Of Playwrights
When Michaela O'Harra founded New Dramatists in 1949, her dream was to create a space where young writers could develop their work, share ideas, and grow as artists. 'She envisioned a place that would buoy talented writers by giving them encouragement, resources, experiences, and a community of peers to help them reach their full artistic potential and make lasting contributions to the American theater,' says New Dramatists executive director Christie Brown. Working with theater legends including Howard Lindsay, Richard Rodgers, Russell Crouse, Oscar Hammerstein II, John Golden, Moss Hart, Maxwell Anderson, John Wharton, Robert E. Sherwood and Elmer Rice, O'Harra fulfilled that mission and then some. 76 years later, New Dramatists remains dedicated to its mission. The organization has helped launch the careers of countless playwrights whose unique voices have transformed the theater. Since its beginnings, over 700 playwrights have been nurtured by New Dramatists. 'For our playwrights, New Dramatists is at the heart of the voice of America,' says director Diane Paulus. 'Without New Dramatists, we wouldn't have American theater.' At this year's recent New Dramatists Spring Luncheon hundreds of artists filled the Marriott Marquis Ballroom sharing why the organization is so special and necessary. 'We have nothing if we don't have plays. And they are all about fostering that. I love that we have these institutions to support the voices of tomorrow,' said Tony-nominated Dead Outlaw actor, Andrew Durand. 'This is a place that gives new writers a home to develop their work,' shared Kara Young who just won a Tony for her role in Purpose. 'It's where the writers and actors get to flourish and vibe.' Marjan Neshat, who was nominated for a Tony for her performance in English and participated in a New Dramatists reading. 'They support us in a way that is so meaningful,' she said. The luncheon, which occurs in the midst of Tony season, draws performers and creatives from nearly every show on Broadway. 'Everyone is here. It's always good to be in community,' said LaTanya Richardson Jackson who was nominated for a Tony for her role in Purpose. 'It's wonderful to celebrate artists and lift all the shows,' offered Gypsy Tony nominee Camille A. Brown. 'Any opportunity to get everyone in the same room from all these different shows is epic,' added Dead Outlaw Tony nominee Julia Knitel. "You get to see your friends.' New Dramatists honored two great artists and collaborators: playwright, lyricist and director Tina Landau (Redwood, Floyd Collins, SpongeBob SquarePants) and Idina Menzel (Redwood, Wicked, Rent). Most recently they joined forces to conceive and birth the musical Redwood, about a woman who, in the midst of grief, embarks on a journey to the Northern California redwood forests to find healing and reconnect with herself. Emily Morse, artistic director of New Dramatists described how the duo are "two galvanizing artists who have created some of the most memorable productions/performances in theater history.' Phylicia Rashad, Tarell McCraney and Tom Kitt talked about Landau's exceptional gifts. While Jonathan Groff and David Stone, spoke about Menzel's great artistry and generosity. Daphne Rubin-Vega, who starred with Menzel in Rent, read a speech from the show's director Michael Greif. Stephen Schwartz movingly sang his song 'For Good' from Wicked. And as a tribute to Menzel and Landau, Zachary Noah Piser, who starred in Redwood, performed 'Still' from the production, with the show's musical director, Julie McBride on the piano. Jonathan Groff shared how he first fell in love with Menzel after listening to the cast recordings of Rent and the Wild Party. 'But it wasn't until I saw her in her Tony-winning performance as Elphaba in Wicked that I experienced the full force of Idina's powers,' he said. 'And subsequently solidified my identity as a homosexual.' Groff can picture sitting in the mezzanine at the Gershwin theater. 'I can still remember the feeling of chills going all over my body as Idina let loose on that stage,' said Groff. "It wasn't just the high notes she was belting. There was a whole unique perspective, personality and soul in her voice. Her body, every fiber of her being—she was miraculously strong and vulnerable in the exact same moment.' Jonathan Groff Photo by Michael Hull Groff experienced those same chills after seeing Menzel in Redwood. 'I watched her grapple with grief, guilt and loss as she transcended to staggering new heights. Her singular ability to be powerful and human simultaneously was on full display as she made us laugh and cry in the same breath," said Groff. 'My jaw was on the floor when she literally scaled a tree and hung upside down while belting her face off.' Menzel expressed deep gratitude for being honored alongside Landau, who she called her 'dear friend, mentor and creative partner.' Menzel went on to say, 'This makes it more special than ever.' Both Menzel and Landau offered their complex feelings about Redwood prematurely closing after birthing its creation for so many years. Menzel said that she would head home and eventually a new idea would reveal itself. 'I'll call up Tina or perhaps one of the extraordinary writers here today and say, okay, what's next?,' said Menzel. For Landau, Redwood's closing was a reminder of what was really important. She explained that she initially learned about the New Dramatists honor in January, when Redwood was going into tech. And it seemed the perfect way to celebrate the show's opening. But in May, when she knew the play was closing prematurely, Landau, half jokingly, asked Christie Brown and Emily Morse at New Dramatists if they would prefer to honor someone whose show would still be running. 'But I knew in my heart, and as they quickly reminded me, this honor has nothing to do with the length of a run or box office receipts,' said Landau. 'It was celebrating the work itself. And even more so, the act of creating the work in the first place.' And in her email to Brown and Morse she recognized an alternate way to view what was happening. 'It's even more reason to acknowledge what we are trying to do,' said Landau. "Because it is clearly that hard.' With Redwood closing, the recognition became even more profoundly meaningful. 'I feel I know what it's really about for me today,' she shared. 'In a deeper way, it's about how hard it is to make things and how important it is to keep doing so. And how important it is to have support.' Landau went on to share how the urge to make things is primal and universal. It represents the desire to bring more life to life.'We are all makers of things: whether it's writing a play or an online post. Gardening, cooking, decorating your apartment or tying your shoelace into a bow,' she said. 'You make things. And when we make things, we say, 'yes' to life and 'no' to apathy or destruction. 'No' to our own self-doubt or despair.' Cole Escola Photo by Michael Hull
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Danica Patrick Announces Relationship Status After Aaron Rodgers Claims
Danica Patrick left no doubt about her relationship status during a recent podcast interview. Patrick, 43, has largely kept quiet about her current dating life, though she did have plenty to say last month about her past high-profile relationship with NFL star Aaron Rodgers. In a new appearance on the "Believe in the Good" podcast with Haley Dillon, the wife of NASCAR driver Ty Dillon, Patrick confirmed she is unattached when Dillon asked about her personal life. 'Are you single right now?' Dillon asked, to which Patrick replied, 'Yeah.' "I'm going to be interested to see who's sliding into my DMs to get to your DMs," Dillon joked as Patrick laughed. Patrick has been in several relationships with public figures, both during and after her days as a competitive race car driver. She was married to Paul Edward Hospenthal from 2005 until their divorce in 2013. Patrick also dated NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from 2012-17 and Rodgers from 2018-20. During an appearance on 'The Sage Steele Show" in May, Patrick raised eyebrows when she accused the four-time NFL MVP of being "emotionally abusive." 'Because it was sudden, it felt like. It was my life. So like when you live with somebody, it's your whole life,' Patrick said. 'And because the nature of the relationship was emotionally abusive, so that wore me down to nothing.' Patrick went on to claim Rodgers "leaves a trail of blood" and appeared to make reference to his much-publicized NFL exits from the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. 'People could never imagine that I would lack … any confidence or belief in the simple things about who I am. Everything was torn to bits,' Patrick added, via People. 'Yeah, he leaves a trail of blood. I don't think I'm saying too much earth-shattering stuff after we — there's been enough out there." Following her breakup with Rodgers, Patrick was in a relationship with American businessman Carter Comstock from 2021 to 2022. Danica Patrick Announces Relationship Status After Aaron Rodgers Claims first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025


Eater
an hour ago
- Eater
The Strip's Biggest Food Hall Just Opened — Here's What to Eat
A new food hall has opened on the Las Vegas Strip — the latest in a citywide boom of food halls that bring together local favorites, national chains, and celebrity chef brands under one roof. And Via Via, which debuted Monday, June 9 at the Venetian Resort, might just be the city's most exciting one yet. While some Las Vegas casinos have traded buffets for brand-new food halls, Via Via took a different approach — transforming its existing food court by swapping out familiar mall staples like Bonanno's and Fatburger for buzzy, sought-after restaurants from across the country. One standout is Howlin' Ray's, the cult-favorite Los Angeles spot known for its Nashville-style hot chicken. Its fans once lined up for hours to get fried chicken sandwiches, and even nine years after opening its first location in LA's Chinatown, lines are still a common sight on weekends. James Beard Award nominee and New York Times best-selling author Mason Hereford is bringing a double dose of New Orleans flavor to the Las Vegas Strip. His cult-favorite spots, Turkey and the Wolf and Molly's Rise and Shine, are now slinging sandwiches and breakfast hits at Via Via. Turkey and the Wolf, the sandwich slinger that Bon Appétit crowned America's Best New Restaurant in 2017, is known for its offbeat menu — think double-decker collard green sandwiches and chicken pot pie-stuffed empanadas with tarragon buttermilk. Right next door, Hereford's Magazine Street breakfast spot, Molly's Rise and Shine, serves up playful takes on the morning classics, like a Grand Slam McMuffin stacked with sausage patties, American cheese, grilled onions, and house-made English muffins. Also at Via Via, acclaimed New York noodle spot Ivan Ramen serves some of the city's most enjoyable noodles on the Las Vegas Strip — a critic once declared its ramen 'so good it will make your eyes explode.' But the menu goes well beyond ramen, offering a lineup of inventive, izakaya-style small plates like asparagus with miso nuta and stracciatella, spicy pickles, and wagyu pastrami buns. Some may remember chef Ray Garcia, the talent behind ¡Viva! at Resorts World, and his B.S. Taqueria from its stint at the short-lived Sundry food hall in southwest Las Vegas, where it served tacos, small bites, and a deep tequila list that rivaled full-service bars. Now, the concept returns with a fresh take at Via Via. On the menu are dishes like chile-rubbed al pastor, wood-fire grilled cauliflower, and house-made chorizo, all tucked into freshly pressed heirloom corn tortillas. The Lower East Side's Scarr's Pizza has been serving pies for nearly a decade, but even its newest location drew lines around the block when it opened in 2023. Owner Scarr Pimentel grinds his own flour in-house to create the ideal foundation for a simple, perfect slice of cheese 'za. All'Antico Vinaio, the legendary sandwich shop from Florence known for its round-the-block lines, square-cut schiacciata bread, and towering stacks of cured meats and cheeses, opened its second Las Vegas location at the food hall. The first outpost debuted at UnCommons last year. Lastly, the hospitality group behind Death & Co. — the influential cocktail bar that helped define the modern cocktail renaissance — is bringing its latest concept to Las Vegas. Close Company, which debuted in Nashville just a couple of weeks ago, offers the same high-caliber cocktails as its predecessor but in a more relaxed, neighborhood-style setting. It marks the first Las Vegas venture for Gin & Luck, the team behind Death & Co. locations in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. Via Via is the latest addition to Las Vegas's ongoing food hall boom. At the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood, Tacotarian recently opened inside the new Miracle Eats food court, which is slowly filling out with other vendors like Irv's Burgers and Fat Sal's. Like the Venetian, Caesars Palace also gave its food court a glow-up, replacing its functional but forgettable stalls with celebrity names like Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy. Off-Strip, the short-lived Sundry, which famously closed exactly one year after opening last June, is being replaced by a popular Hawaiian food hall focused on Asian street food. And newcomer H-Mart has brought its own built-in food hall packed with Korean and other Asian favorites. Via Via follows in the footsteps of Proper Eats at Aria, bringing together talent that already draws crowds in cities across the U.S. With names like Howlin' Ray's, Ivan Ramen, Turkey and the Wolf, and Death & Co. — and menus this stacked — Via Via isn't just a food hall; it's a cheat sheet for what's hot in American dining right now. See More: Vegas Restaurant News Vegas Restaurant Openings