When my family and I travel, we tend to notice the things we like in other communities as well as all the things we don’t appreciate as much - mostly the traffic. But we take special note of those things we think would be possible in McCook, which would help McCook thrive and grow, which would make McCook an even better place to call home.
It can be as minimal as a dog park, which is a great asset for both residents and visitors alike. Fortunately, the McCook K9 Korner Dog Park is planned for Barnett Park and will be in place soon.
It could be restaurants which we think would add to the great eateries we already have. Or it could simply be the atmosphere created by outdoor dining and spaces where people gather to share food, friendship and ideas.
But one concept which we had seen over and over and which came of even greater importance during the pandemic when people were forced to work from home was the need for an alternate work space or which is more commonly known as a cowork space.
Thanks to the effort of Andy Long of the McCook Economic Development Corp. and several generous sponsors, McCook has its own cowork space on the fourth floor of the Keystone Business Center in the heart of McCook. It is known as the McCook Cowork Space just to avoid any confusion.
So what exactly is a cowork space?
Generally speaking, the definition of coworking is when people assemble in a neutral space to work independently on different projects, or in groups on the same projects. It’s different from a typical office workspace because the people in a coworking environment generally aren’t working for the same company.
Coworking spaces offer the same amenities you would find in a traditional office, along with a lot more. A major differentiator is flexibility, since you don’t need to sign a long-term lease in a coworking space.
But there are so many more reasons why McCook needed a cowork space from camaraderie to a place to escape to.
Those who are currently working on the fourth floor have already created a cohort among themselves. While they don’t work for the same company nor are they working on the same project, yet they find themselves leaning on each other for support, for insight, for simply social interaction.
As a McCook Chamber employee, my oldest son is housed on the fourth floor but is learning how to sew from Paula Sandberg, who works at a desk nearby. (While I taught him how to sew a button or whipstitch a hem, we never broke out a sewing machine.)
The cowork space is also perfect for those who can work from anywhere so they make the choice to move from a larger community - and all the headaches - to a smaller community - where life is hopefully a little more laid back.
But a cowork space is not just limited to someone who needs an office for their business. Anyone who has tried to work from home understands how distracting it can be.
I have a home office but my attention can easily be diverted. There is a load of laundry waiting to be folded in the drier. There is a stack of bills pushed to the side of the desk that needs to be dealt with. Or maybe it’s that stack of VHS tapes which have been waiting to switch into a digital format for years but today seems like the best day to do it.
And for anyone who says McCook is not big enough to warrant this type of space, there is no such thing as too small.
As part of a cross-country bike ride for low-income housing in 2019, my oldest daughter helped build a cowork space in St. John, Kansas, a town of just 1,179 people. They understood the need to create space where people could gather and get work done.
If you haven’t seen the McCook Cowork Space, please call the McCook EDC office at 308-345-1200. Andy, along with McCook Chamber Director Dawson Brunswick, put together a great, usable, efficient space and they love to give tours of the space.
Several McCook organizations are working to create additional welcoming spaces throughout McCook, but the McCook Work Space is already one of those spaces which is making McCook an even better place to call home.
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.
