At the south end of Norris Avenue in McCook sits what I consider one of our most under-utilized, not-fully appreciated and oft-maligned assets: the Amtrak train service.
Last week, I, along with my two youngest children, hopped the train for our yearly ski trip. We boarded with another half dozen people, a few from McCook whereas others had driven to McCook, specifically to catch the train. (And yes, it was late by an hour, but it can’t be early because we would get left behind.)
While Amtrak has decreased its routes during the pandemic, McCook benefits from having this public transportation with a direct stop (plus a beautiful station with floor to ceiling windows). I realize the train is not for everyone, but it is an asset for those considering our area...one of many of our assets.
Once we reached the ski area, the topic of the train service regularly came up in conversation.
Since I was adequately spaced, along with being covered head to toe because of the pandemic and the snowy weather, I visited on the ski lifts with people from across the county.
Every single one was in awe that I had traveled there by public transportation and by train in particular, avoiding the congestion of Denver and I-70. One of them even commented - unprompted - that the ability to do these types of activities must be easier for me because of the lower cost of living. The former Chicago resident had recently moved to Boulder and admitted that housing and commuting took up large chunks of his time and money.
While the mountains are a natural draw, there are many other reasons people choose a place to move to, settle in and remain living there.
In a report from the Knight Foundation, there are three things needed to develop attachment to a place: social offerings such as spaces and businesses which encourage social gatherings; aesthetics such as physical beauty; and openness where a community is welcoming to all different types of people, ideas and opinions.
For social offerings, McCook and Southwest Nebraska has a good start with locations and businesses which encourage people to sit and share their views, from the tables at Sehnert’s Bakery to the benches in Norris Park. And with Norris Alley and the K9 Korner Dog Park in the works, hopefully we’ll soon have even more spaces to be social.
As for aesthetics, we don’t have mountain vistas or ocean views. But we have beautiful lakes surrounding us, ample space for walking, hiking and hunting and a river which has water for kayaking and floating...part of the year.
And we aren’t lacking in man-made features either. Throughout McCook, we have beautiful architecture, from the columns of the old post office on Norris Avenue to Nebraska’s only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home. And again, there is potential to create even more aesthetically-pleasing areas from building-sized murals to new hiking trails at Red Willow State Recreation Area.
But it is the third area where we need to make sure each and every one of us are intentional. People choose to move to a place, stay in a place or leave a place because they feel included and valued. A place must be tolerant and provide plenty of space for socializing where people feel comfortable having friendly and not-so-friendly conversations.
As social scientist and Knight Public Spaces Fellow Eric Klinenberg argues, investment in social infrastructure (including libraries and parks) is critical in revitalizing civic life and ultimately a resilient community, especially during a crisis. As our community moves forward, we have an opportunity to improve engagement, improve inclusivity, improve involvement.
This could come in many different forms. It may mean belonging to a local service organization such as Rotary or the Optimists, where people of all different views come together to make the community better. It may mean hosting a gathering to share opposing viewpoints to reach a common good. Or it may mean investing with private and public funding in those physical spaces which bring people face-to-face to share ideas rather than hiding behind a screen with their thoughts.
It is up to each and everyone of us to create a place where people want to come to...and stay. We’ve got a good start, but we also have a lot of potential to make this 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
