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.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Bruce McDowell can be found walking around McCook for his health, to be helpful or maybe even attend a meeting.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
