For Immediate Release

February 8, 2007

McCallie Associates, Inc. is proud to announce that they are a sponsor of the Sarpy County Sesquicentennial Public Art Project.  The Sarpy County “Plains to Planes” Celebration highlights Sarpy counties community values, historical events, prosperity and the overall collaboration among Sarpy County government, the communities located within the county, Offutt Air Force Base, and the schools, businesses and citizens that reside within the county borders.

As a sponsor, McCallie Associates has become an official “Plains to Planes Sculptured Bench” sponsor.  McCallie’s CEO Jennifer Maassen and CFO Brian Bald selected the Buffalo bench designed by artist Paula Yoachim.  Over 40 artist submitted models of their artwork using either the official buffalo or airplane bench design. 

The design combines symbolically many historical pieces that make Sarpy County so unique.  First, in the center the yellow compass represent the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  The blue curved line below this depicts their path of travel along the Missouri River.  The red circle with the points represents the Omaha and all Native American tribes who lived in the area.  The repeated circles become a target which reminds us of how the buffalo was hunted for survival, and of the strife that followed as settlers began inhabiting the Indian lands.  The texture of steel in the silver parts of the design stands for the industrialization that led us to the current age.  The blue wing represents the military influences of Offutt Air Force Base and the vital impact it has on our community and future.