We are all guilty of doing it. Sitting around and bemoaning the state of the world. Complaining about what did or didn’t get done in our community. Wishing that things would be better, would change or would simply be different,
But if that is where the process stops, then nothing will get better. Nothing will change. Nothing will be different. Because we must be the change we want to see in the world. Yes, it is an overused cliche but it became overused and became a cliche because it is true.
My late mother-in-law used to hold onto things because someone, somewhere, someday may need the item. In the end, we never found that someone.
Similarly, sitting around and waiting for “someone” to solve our problems or make our community better isn’t going to happen without our input.
Alongside the phrase “That’s how we’ve always done it,” the next eight worse words in the English language are: “I wish someone would do something about it.”
Wishing and dreaming are great. That is where many of our best ideas begin. But taking that next step and making things come to fruition is where change happens.
Maybe it is like Emily Young, who is working to create a Harvest Festival on Saturday morning in the parking lot of her business at West 9th and C in McCook. A lot of man - and woman - hours are making this event a reality in its first year.
St. Patrick Church’s Fall Festival is Sunday afternoon on East Fourth and G Streets. Now in its 47th year, this community event happens because dozens - if not hundreds - of volunteers put countless hours and financial resources toward it.
And there are other things happening in the community because people have determined that it is worth their time and effort to make it a reality.
Kellie Soden and her volunteer committee persevered for two years to create a dog park in McCook. With the support of many financial donors and the city of McCook, the K9 Korner Dog Park at Barnett Park will soon become a reality.
The walking trails may soon be expanded, new ballparks are in discussion and the pool...that’s another column unto itself.
Maybe you see something that needs to be improved. Maybe you have thought of something the community needs. Maybe you have seen something that is wrong that needs to be fixed.
We cannot sit back and wait for “someone” to ride in on a white horse and save the day. We need to make the change happen that we want to see.
For starters, contact someone who can actually do something about it or who knows how to fix the situation.
Sure, continue to call into Openline to voice your concerns with Rich Barnett. That is one way people learn about what is going on. Write your letters-to-the-editor at the Gazette. It is a good way to articulate how you feel about the situation.
But that isn’t going to solve the problem. Nor is lamenting to your coffee club, even if they claim to solve all the problems of the world by the end of three cups of coffee.
Instead, it is calling the city offices if you want to have your road fixed. It is reaching out to the restaurant with a complaint rather than posting on Facebook. It is joining local service organizations who are just one of the groups getting things done in the community.
And finally it is stepping up to run for political office because ultimately they are making many of the decisions that affect day-in, day-out. While we may not always agree with those in political office, we must acknowledge that they are giving of their time and energy. If we aren’t doing the same, then we don’t have a lot of room to complain.
If all this seems like just too much, there is one further step we can all take. Show up.
If someone goes to the effort to create an event, we can show our support by attending. If we want to know what is going on in our community and how our tax dollars are being spent, we need to show up at government meetings. If someone starts a new business, we need to show up and shop local.
We don’t have to make grand, sweeping gestures to make change in our community. Rather, our everyday decisions will make an impact. Showing up, volunteering, getting involved, reaching out to others. Those are the actions we need to take if we are going to be the change we want to see in our community. Those are the decisions we need to make if we are going to make McCook an even better place to call home.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
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.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
