West Wing - 1st Floor
The first floor consists of the kitchen, conference room, ADA bedroom & bathroom, an office, living room, and shared ADA restroom. There is also access to the front deck.
Dr. Clarence E. & Irene Rice Welcome Room
This room is located on the first level just inside the south entrance. It is sponsored by The Doctor and Irene’s son, Lee, and Lee’s daughter, Susan & Alvin Knott all of Colorado. The room displays items found in the hospital during renovation. Some of these items date back to 1929. The room is decorated in mission style furniture depicting the age of the building. The fireplace in the room has been kept as close to original as possible.
Helen and Velma Adam Kitchen
The breakfast/kitchen area on the first level of the lodge is attached to the meeting/ conference room. Guests will be able to get up when they want and come down to a self serve continental breakfast. This room is located just inside the west entrance to the Lodge. It is painted in the same soft green hue as the I.O.O. F. bedroom and the Novotny room. Helen and Velma Adam are life time residents of the Odell area.
Truxaw & Shalla Conference Room
This room is on the first level right inside the entrance of the west door. It has been sponsored by Tom & Ellen McCombe in loving memory of Frank and Anna Truxaw and Tony and Matilda Shalla which were Ellen’s grandparents. This room is large enough for about 30 adults. Guests can use this room to gather and visit. The room can also be rented to hold meetings, conferences, reunions, baby/wedding showers, small parties, and any other type of small gathering. Tables and chairs are provided. Rent is $40 per day.
Harold F. Duis Office
Harold F. Duis is the sponsor of the “office” of the Rice Lodge & Conference Center. The office is located just inside the building in the “welcome room”. Harold’s daughter Cheryl Duis Decarlo was born in the Rice Hospital. The office area will be used by employees to register guests and handle book work. It is painted in earth tone colors and has a desk and computer and filing system in it.
Anderson Family Stage for the Performing Arts
David T. Anderson and his family have sponsored the deck on the south side of the main entrance to the Lodge. It will be used by guests to enter the Lodge and enters into the welcome room. Guests will be able use this area to sit outside and relax or this area can be used as a stage for bands or summer theater type groups. Dave has performed in music groups professionally for over thirty years. His sister, Linda played saxophone and sang. She also once won the talent portion of the “Miss Nebraska” Contest. In addition, his mother, Clara, gave piano lessons to area youth for many years.
Sarah’s Stairway to her Dream
Sarah’s stairway is sponsored in loving memory of her by her husband, John. There are two stairways in the Lodge. This is the stairway that the Doctor and Nurses used every day to tend to the needs of the patients in the hospital. It is located on the north side of the building and is in two parts with a landing and a window. The restoration committee kept this stairway original. They cleaned the wood and railing and it is stunning.