If you would’ve asked me back in March what I was going to be doing for the summer of 2020, coming home to McCook was not at the top of my list. It was not that I didn’t love McCook or enjoy being here but rather I was making plans and looking at opportunities elsewhere. Just like the rest of the college students in this country, COVID-19 had other plans in mind.
After the start of the pandemic, a lot of my original plans were being canceled and it left me wondering, “What am I going to do and where am I going to go to get a fulfilling summer?”
And when I say fulfilling, I mean I wanted to do something where I could work hard, learn new skills, and feel like I was making a difference!
Shortly after asking this question, I found the perfect fit with the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which was looking for a hometown summer intern to tell McCook’s stories through various media - my exact major. Now if I’m being honest, I was nervous to be moving back home. I had not lived at home for more than a year and I was worried about what everyone would think. Would people think I dropped out of school? Would they think I could not make it on my own? Or would they consider me a failure? All of these thoughts raced through my head at one point but then I asked myself, “Why is moving back home such a bad thing?”
I had a great childhood growing up in McCook. From spending Friday nights at Weiland Field and riding my bike all across town without the worry of any danger, to summer nights with my best friends at the lake. Why is it such a bad thing to say that I really enjoyed living in my small Nebraska community?
Well, I’m here to say that it’s not, and moving back home for the summer has truly been a blessing. I have been able to spend time with my family, high school best friends, and community members who are working to make a difference here. I’m creating projects to build up my portfolio while learning a lot of professional skills for the future. If anything, I think I have benefited more by spending my summer in McCook rather than somewhere else.
I think the biggest reason people don’t consider moving home is they think there is a lack of opportunity in the area, but that is not the case. As a college senior majoring in media production, many people would think I could only find a job in the city. But my time with MCFF has given me so many valuable lessons I will get to take into my senior year and future career.
And I was able to do it all right here in McCook.
Part of my job this summer was interviewing members of the community who have unique stories and have dedicated themselves to making McCook a better place to call home. I feel so fortunate that I have been able to talk to so many well-rounded people who have worked hard to achieve their dreams.
The most interesting part has been that these people didn’t wait for opportunities; they went out and made them happen. That’s the thing about our community: You can create your own opportunities and turn your dreams into a reality. And I personally have never seen more support from a community than I have from McCook.
This summer I have learned that moving back home does not make you a failure or mean you gave up. Moving back to McCook means you know what you want and that it is possible to create your opportunity here. That is something to be proud of.
As I enter my senior year of college, I’m not sure where I will end up after graduation. I would like to experience other places (and that is okay too) but I will never be closed off to the idea of moving back home. McCook is my home and I will always be proud to call it 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.
