The Hop Yard starts scholarship inspired by Dasher's culinary dreams

PLATTSMOUTH –  Nancy Johnson had not a moment’s rest in the kitchen Tuesday as orders for chili piled up at The Hop Yard and Annette Wiles called out ‘we have to get organized’ as a fundraiser for a culinary scholarship breezed past its first hour.

Orders were robust after The Hop Yard announced it would offer chili and cinnamon rolls made by the Plattsmouth High School culinary team. The public support for the fundraiser was so great, iron workers in Omaha pledged to help with supplies.

 

 There were tears for the former Plattsmouth student who inspired the fundraiser nearly a year after his death in a car accident in Bellevue, but Johnson turned briefly from the oven to say she remembers the smiles.

 

Johnson: “Working with Beau was amazing. He was very good in the kitchen. He was right on top of everything. He kept everything spotless. Culinary was his life. He loved it and he would’ve been an excellent chef.”

 

Annette Wiles of Midwest Hop Producers called the community response to the first Beau Dasher Memorial Culinary Scholarship Benefit overwhelming.

Wiles: “We did this today to help Beau’s parents deal with the day, as well.

 

"Also because Beau worked for us and he was part of our team. We know how much culinary meant to him, so this is a way to give back.”

Tammy Lanum said it was a perfect benefit for her nephew.

 

 

Lanum: “He was pursuing his goal of being a culinary artist and being a chef, so this was the perfect place for him to learn those skills and we’re very proud of him. He would’ve loved this. He would have loved to be cooking in that kitchen and making all this chili for everybody.”

Wiles said the benefit is helpful for the family and Plattsmouth High School, which is featuring culinary in its new addition.

Plattsmouth Guidance Counselor Jim Knierim credited former culinary arts teacher Mrs. Johnson for her work with Beau. The school’s addition will have diesel tech, automotive and welding, but new ovens are being installed to expand culinary with Mrs. Hall.

Knierim: “We as a group had fun working with Beau over the years and he was kind of an ornery young man at school. It was fun working with him. He was very much into the culinary and we knew he was going to do that for a career.”

Dasher was attending Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs and Lanum said it is an honor to have a culinary scholarship in his name.

 Lanum: “While Beau’s dream was cut short, this scholarship will help another student wanting to pursue the same dream Beau never got the chance to finish.”