So far in 2021, at least two or three of these columns have been tributes to those who have passed, including Cloyd Clark and Tor Olson. Hopefully, their families and friends found those words comforting, uplifting or at least brought back a few fond memories.
While I will continue to occasionally reflect on those who have had a tremendous impact but are no longer with us, I want to offer up an alternative: highlighting those who have had a tremendous impact but continue to influence our community in positive ways because they are still here.
Last night to kick of McCook’s Heritage Days Celebration, several well-deserving people were recognized for their roles in McCook including Bill Elliot as parade marshal; Jody and Richie Crocker as honor family; and king and queen Matthew Pochop and Karragan Shaw, as well as all of the Heritage Days royalty.
And finally, there was Mark Graff, who received the Grand Marshall award for his years of service nationally, statewide and locally.
While many people know Mark because of his role leading MNB Bank, his influence can be found in countless other areas. Had Trevor Taylor listed everything Mark has been or is currently involved in during Wednesday’s celebration at the MNB Mixer, we would have been there for a long time…way past Mark’s bedtime.
While Mark is involved in many organizations including serving as a founder and current treasurer for the McCook Community Foundation Fund, the public may not notice it. As a certified public accountant, he steadfastly does what is needed, what is expected, what is right. He isn’t out there show-boating or grand-standing unless he is showing off his two new grandchildren.
And Mark is quick to shift the attention from himself to those around him or give credit to those who came before him. There is one person who he cites for helping him become the man he is today: his dad, Pete Graff.
Pete and Mark have many similarities - from their height to their hairline - but there is yet another attribute they have in common. When they speak, people listen. Pete was not one for many words. He didn’t have to orate long to get his point across. There are countless stories of people sitting in Pete’s office in McCook National Bank, now MNB Bank, as the customer or friend told a story or asked for advice with Pete sitting back in his chair with his arms crossed across his chest, just listening most of the time.
The same holds true for Mark as people reach out for advice, assistance, or just a friendly ear to talk to. Because Mark acknowledges that the other thing he learned from his dad is that we can never give back to our community too much and that we will never be able repay all the people who also work so hard day after day but we’ll try.
And for full transparency, I must clarify my relationship with Mark. I am married to Mark’s brother, Jon, the youngest of Pete and Dolores Graff’s 11 children. When meeting someone new who knows the Graff name, I am often asked if I am Mark’s wife, but that title belongs to Mark’s wonderful wife, Linda.
Occasionally, I am asked if I am one of Mark’s five sisters, but McCook is home to four Graff-Thomas boys: Mark, Mike, Chad and Jon. But my favorite question is when people ask if I’m Mark’s daughter. Not sure how Mark feels about that, but it makes my day.
Congratulations to all the Heritage Days Royalty, who continue to make McCook an even better place to call home.
***
As if he wasn’t involved enough, Mark is spearheading the Timberline Concert next Thursday, Sept 30 at the Alice Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, which is being held in memory of Tor Olson. Thanks to many generous sponsors, all ticket proceeds will go toward a project in Tor’s name, something that showcases one of Tor’s many interests.
While you can get tickets at the door, it’s going to be $5 more. So stop by MNB Bank or Sehnert’s Bakery before next Thursday to get a ticket. Tickets are also available at the Imperial City Offices. Or visit www.jimsalestrom.com to order online.
The concert is going to be a fun evening with great music by Timberline, honoring a great man in Tor Olson and organized by a tremendous local leader in Mark Graff.
McCook's last hometown bakery closed this past week, leaving a void not just for donuts but for connections.
Many organizations and businesses in McCook offer the opportunity to recycle, reuse and repair items that may just end up in the trash.
Organizer for Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival and former librarian named Oct 2025 volunteer of the month.
McCook's Third Thursdays were created to get businesses and organizations involved and designed to create life-long memories for the community.
Long-time community advocate Barb Ostrum received the Sept 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month award.
We need to celebrate our young people while they are here and encourage them to return.
While some like myself appreciate a rainy day, others dread them for a variety of reasons. We need to be empathetic as interact with others.
MCFF Fall Grant Deadline is Oct. 1. Complete list of former recipients on MCFF website
With so much going, it is time for a “This, That and the Other Thing” column, where we will cover several topics, not very deeply but hopefully with a sense of humor as we clean up and prepare for a busy week in McCook. *** McCook again made state and national news this week for ice. This time, it was in the form of hail that pounded the community for hours upon hours. Conversations this week begin with “where were you….?” or “how many windows did you lose?” And while they may be legitimate and are offering their services, it is like vultures with all the roofing repair and dent removal businesses which have descended upon McCook following the storm. As city officials noted, do your due diligence with any company doing repairs for you and follow the old adage, which is old and still around because it’s true: If something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. And one last note on the storm, we need to be careful what we ask for. As storm after storm approaches McCook and then splits in two to go around the town, we finally got one to roll right over us. The storm liked McCook so much it slowed down and just there. I was in Lincoln during the storm and trying to determine when I would drive home. I thought the weather app had frozen or the radar was broken because every time I looked, the storm was still sitting over McCook, doing its damage. I guess we can be thankful the next time a storm seemingly just goes around us. *** We are in the thick of McCook’s Heritage Days celebration. Congratulations to all the Heritage Days Royalty, which was announced at the MNB Bank Mixer this week. A special shout-out to Bill Donze, better known as Mr. Bill and his wife, Kathy, who were honored as royalty for their impact in McCook. As many know, Mr. Bill is fighting cancer and the prognosis isn’t good. The chances of him selling snow-cones and candy out of his van next summer near the McCook Aquatic Center are not good. One judge of his impact was the response to my column about Mr. Bill a few months ago. The post was shared thousands of times, viewed nearly 70,000 times with just as many comments by people sharing their fond memories of Mr. Bill. So when you see Mr. Bill riding down Norris in the convertible this weekend in the Heritage Days parade, send extra prayers and well-wishes to the man who has brought so much joy to so many kids - and adults too - over the years. *** Continuing on the Heritage Days theme, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the McCook Rotary Club is tossing all egos and formality out the window this weekend. As the president of the McCook Rotary Club, I invite everyone to at least watch, if not participate, in the Rotary’s first inflatable costume relay race on Saturday as part of the festivities in Norris Park. These are those giant, blow-up costumes you usually see around Halloween. The first costumes were usually T-Rexes but now there is everything imaginable available as a design. With the idea for the race originally conceived by Melanie Goodenberger, she has purchased everything from corn on the cob to a cowboy riding a chicken. This is a fund-raiser for the Rotary Club with a cost of just $20 for a team of four to participate in the relay race. But it is also a chance to giggle, perhaps make a fool of yourself and just have fun. Come to the park Saturday afternoon for the Wiener Dog races and stay for the Rotary Relay races. While the dogs will already be close to the ground, the relay race participants will likely just end up on the ground. *** With so much going on in McCook this week, I debated whether there should be another activity the next week but the response has already been great for the Lied’s Arts Across Nebraska’s next production in McCook. Hosted by the McCook Creative District, the Omaha Street Percussion ensemble will perform at the Fox Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 24. There is a matinee showing at 10:30 a.m. but I will be up-front…we are testing the capacity of the Fox with every seat already claimed with students. If that is the only show you can make, please come and we’ll find you a seat but it may be those up in the rafters. Otherwise, please plan to attend the 7 p.m. show on Sept. 24. And even better, there is no cost thanks to the Kimmel Foundation and the Friends of the Lied. This is a busy week and a busy weekend but this is a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy a fun, entertaining evening of live music.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
