Appreciation for Hometown Grew During Internship

As part of my summer hometown internship with the McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Fund Committee and Nebraska Community Foundation, I was asked to write a “love letter” to the committee and the community. The letter is to not only sum up what I have learned and experienced the past few months, but also to share what I love about my hometown.

What an incredible summer! I am beyond grateful to have served as MCFF’s Summer Hometown Intern. During my time as an intern, I have had many valuable experiences. My top two lessons involve the importance of collaboration and learning more about the vast history of McCook. Discovering more about these concepts has made my love for my hometown grow more than I ever thought possible.

When it comes to collaboration, I have had the opportunity to work with interesting people on several riveting projects. Three of my projects have all relied on my ability to effectively collaborate and work with others. My favorite collaborative event is the upcoming Prairie Roots Music Festival and McCookoff BBQ contest, taking place at the Heritage Hills Golf Course on August 19th. I have been lucky enough to work with MCFF’s youth group, Youth Change Reaction (YCR), to develop games and activities at Prairie Roots.

Having lived in McCook my entire life, I am very aware of its interesting history but have learned so much more. For example, McCook was founded as a railroad town and continues to serve as a hub on the rail line. I also learned about the area's role in World War II, serving as the location of the McCook Army Air Base as well as the Indianola German POW camp.

Before the internship began, I knew that McCook has been the home to several politicians, including Sen. George W. Norris and three Nebraska governors: Ralph Brooks, Sen. Ben Nelson, and Frank Morrison. But I expanded that background by researching each political figure as part of the Heritage Square Walking Tour, another MCFF project.

This research also led to my discovery that McCook has been visited by several politicians over the past century. Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech to a crowd of thousands in McCook as a tribute to Sen. Norris in September of 1932. In September 1964, Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke to a McCook audience about the importance of federal partnership in Western reclamation development. And Ronald Reagan discussed the need for a reformed tax structure, as well as unions and strikes, during a stop in Southwest Nebraska in the 1980s.

As my internship with MCFF comes to a close, I am thankful for the lessons I have learned, the experiences I have had and the people I have met, including McCook’s fund advisory committee. I appreciate learning about the importance of collaboration and the rich history of McCook, which has only further solidified my love for my hometown. I look forward to seeing how the future of McCook unfolds.

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A 2020 McCook High School graduate, Hannah Goltl has served as MCFF’s intern this summer, bringing enthusiasm and energy to learn more about her hometown and make it an even better place to call home.

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Jan. 2026 Volunteer of the Month Devoted to Church and Community

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.