Alongside my driveway stands my favorite tree, a giant, gnarly cottonwood. As you approach our house, the lone cottonwood towers over all the other trees and serves a s guidepost to our location. We’ve planted many trees since we moved into our house nearly 20 years ago, but this tree continues to dominate the landscape.
I often look at the giant cottonwood and wonder if it was planted intentionally or it was a seedling from another tree. I wonder about all the families who have sat in its shade or cursed the cotton floating through the air each spring. I wonder who takes the time to enjoy the rustle of the cottonwood leaves, a sound I can name in less than three notes. (Yes, I’m dating myself but who didn’t love Name That Tune?)
And while the tree has several dead branches, I cannot bring myself to cut it down.
Instead, I have learned over the years not to park my vehicle near the tree if there is any forecast of severe weather. If I pass a car dealership on the way home and see that all the vehicles have been moved inside for the night, I know to avoid the cottonwood.
As the winds reached hurricane strength earlier this week, I wondered if the tree could withstand the onslaught. But the next morning, just a few leaves and twigs were scattered around our yard. Most likely, that tree is going to outlast me.
Not the same could be said about many of the trees around our community. As I biked into McCook, tree branches littered the shoulder of the highway. leaves filled the gutters and entire trees were uprooted. Many hours and days were going to be spent cleaning up the damage done to the trees in our community and appraising the property damage.
Yet, no one proposes getting rid of all our trees because they are a little bit of work or that they could cause damage to our property. Instead, the branches are removed, the leaves are swept up and most likely, new trees will be replanted in their place.
Trees play an important role in our society. They provide beauty and shelter and resources.
But they also fulfill another important role: they provide hope.
Simply put, they inspire people. Hence, the reason there are so many quotes about trees.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
“He who plants a tree, plants hope.”
“He who plants trees loves other besides himself.”
But perhaps my favorite is “The true meaning of life is to plant a tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
Earlier this summer, I tried to explain to our intern, Lexi, what the McCook Community Foundation Fund does. I returned again and again to this quote because we should be thinking not only about what needs to be done today, but what we can do to make an impact down the road, to improve something that we may never know about, or to change someone’s life for the better whom we may not even know nor never meet.
Whether it is literally replacing the trees lost earlier this week because of the storms or whether you are “planting trees” through various projects around the community, we need to remember that we are doing this for our community, for our future, for our kids and ultimately, for their kids.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
