In my house, we have a bookshelf in every bedroom and on those bookshelves is every genre of book. But I repeatedly return to one book on our shelves, which I stumbled upon years ago at the McCook LIbrary and then had to purchase because little hands like to color in inappropriate places but am glad I own.
It’s simply titled “Traffic.” It is all about how traffic works, why traffic is the way it is and how we could improve our experience on our roads and make it safer to be on our roads. I also listen to podcasts and read articles about traffic, picking up many interesting facts.
Such as why narrower lanes are actually safer because people have to pay attention more, why drivers should use zipper merging to use every last inch of available road and how speed limits are sometimes determined by the speed drivers have decided to go rather than the other way around.
So after a couple local incidents this week, it is time once again for the annual public service announcement to be a little more aware while out and about, whether driving, biking or even just walking the dog. As the weather gets nicer and more people are outside enjoying themselves, It is time to look out for others - literally.
As someone who is on the roads and streets biking and walking and who puts people on the streets and trails for the fitness series, I have a vested interest in keeping people (including myself and my family) safe.
And it isn’t just those on the outside of the vehicles I am concerned about, but also those inside.
One of my side gigs is driving the St. Patrick Elementary school bus to activities.
On Wednesday as I was taking the St. Pat track team back and forth to a meet in Trenton, the bus was passed not once, twice but three times by an impatient driver. I say impatient because it isn’t unusual for the bus to be passed because it is a large vehicle struggling to reach the speed limits sometimes.
What was different this time was that I had to slam on the bus brakes not once, not twice but three times as these vehicles passed the bus just as an oncoming car was traveling toward us. I didn’t want to see that vehicle get into an accident, nor did I want the kids on my bus to witness the accident.
I have no idea if these were local drivers or out-of-staters, but no appointment, no meeting, no destination is worth getting into an accident over just to save a few minutes. And most likely, that is all the time they were saving...a few minutes.
In college, I opted to take a Safety Training Option Program or STOP class to avoid a ticket and higher insurance. After four hours sitting in a classroom with a former police officer, I learned two things.
First, it is O.K. to drive a few miles over the speed limit if you are traveling long distances, perhaps from Omaha to Chicago. Yes, we were told it was OK to speed. Those extra five miles an hour will add up and could ultimately save you an hour of drive time and it is safe to do so.
But the second thing I learned was that speeding over short distances was pointless, wasteful and dangerous. The point the officer made was that speeding across town doesn’t save much time, maybe a few seconds. But are those few seconds worth the possible accident you could cause if you aren’t able to stop in time?
When it comes to traffic, it isn’t just the speed which we need to consider. We need to be looking at accessible sidewalks so people don’t have to walk in the road; it is bike lanes so people are encouraged to ride their bicycle in a safe environment; it is cross-walks so both drivers and pedestrians know each other will be interacting.
I have to admit that I was driving down B Street the other day, envisioning a bike lane. How could that happen? Kurt Vosburg at the Department of Roads would say I’m nuts, but I would take away a foot from each of the four lanes to create a three-foot wide bike lane on one side of B Street. It is hard to imagine, but turn signals, crosswalk signs and even yellow lights didn't exist at some point but are now hard to imagine living without.
Perhaps you would like to see a walking trail in one of our parks. Maybe you would like to see a walking bridge over the highway to safely cross to a business. Or what about a stoplight which is just in use during McCook’s “rush hour”...dropping kids off at school. Just because something doesn’t exist right now doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
There is movement on adding to McCook’s walking trail, which is great to see. But if you would like to see more miles of trails or if you have ideas about bike lanes or crosswalks, get involved. Contact the city. Contact the county. Contact the Games and Parks. It is up to each and every one of us to make McCook an even better - and safer - place to call home by looking out for one another.
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.
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.
