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.
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.
