As a community, we make decisions every day, which affect our future.
Some of those decisions are big, such as building a new pool, having a new employer start up a business or renovating a downtown building.
Others are smaller, such as whether to have Christmas lights lining the rooftops of downtown businesses or welcoming signs at the edge of town, just so people know where they are.
And there are those decisions which affect the feel of the community. Do people say “Hi” as you walk down the street? Are the attitudes of the decision-makers in the community encouraging? Is the environment one where it is easy to get things done or are there barriers in place?
Do people feel welcomed and involved? Do young people feel like they are needed and wanted? Do people want to make things happen?
All of those decisions - both intentional and unintentional - add up to one thing…what kind of community we want and ultimately will have.
For some, they simply want a retirement community, where it’s quiet, where there's not much to do because you go to bed at 7 p.m. and where there is no reason to make investments in new playgrounds or wedding venues or preschools because older people don’t need those things.
And even if the goal is to create a retirement community, that can’t be done without one vital ingredient: young people.
Without young people, who is going to provide medical services? Without young people, who is going to own and operate our local businesses, providing a wider tax base? Without young people, who is going to teach in our school systems (and populate them with kids)?
And without young people, who is going to provide that youthful energy to get things done?
While a retirement community may sound ideal, a community can’t last without young people.
So ultimately we need to be making decisions which attract and keep our young people.
The consequences of past decisions are evident if you are out and about in the community.
As the race director for the local fitness series, I see how many people are signing up in the 10-year age divisions at each race. And the 20-29 men is always the lowest number of participants - if not completely non-existent - at each race. It could mean they don’t have the desire to run a 5K, or they don’t have the money to register, or they aren’t fit enough after four years of a college lifestyle. Yes this is purely anecdotal, but we simply don’t have many in that age group living here yet, if ever.
We make decisions to do - or not do - things which influence where our young people will decide to live. How do I know? Because my kids, along with their friends, are those young people making these life choices.
One of my sons moved back last year after graduating from college, making the conscious decision to move from Omaha to McCook. I also recently talked to another 20-something who moved back to the area to teach. Both have found employment and both have found housing which is adequate for the time being. But both noted that there is little for their age-group to get excited about and your 20s should be one of the most exciting times of your life.
Think back to when you were in your 20s and for some, this may be a stretch. What did you do with your free time? Go dancing? Go to the soda foundation? Simply hangout with your friends? Are those options available here?
Successful communities make investments in their young people. They create parks with trees they likely never sat under. They create programs which encourage young people to start a business. They created an environment where young people want to get involved, where they feel welcomed, where they feel needed.
If we want our community to not just survive but also thrive, our young people need us and we need our young people.
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
