Making Memories at McCook's Third Thursdays

On Thursday, Oct. 16, the McCook Creative District’s Third Thursdays will wrap up the 2025

season.

Taking place in downtown McCook, the event features a new host every month who puts their

own spin on the evening. Community Hospital featured health and wellness. Valmont served as

the lead during the County Music Showdown. Court-Appointed Special Advocates - CASA -

teamed with Judge Payne’s Upstream project to serve dinner family-style on Norris Avenue.

The McCook Chamber took over all of Norris Avenue with retailers offering special sales and

specials before school started. And the Norris Institute showcased not only itself but the

McCook Volunteers and the numerous non-profits serving our community.

Suddenly, we are at the last Third Thursday, which will be co-hosted by McCook Community

College and the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

College students and athletes will fill Norris Avenue between D and E Streets with games and

activities from 5-8 p.m. There will be holiday-themed entertainment including a costume-contest

with judging at 6:30 p.m. so it's another great opportunity to wear those costumes more than

just once this Halloween season.

And in a first, MCFF’s Youth Change Reaction is hosting a walk-up/outdoor movie in Norris

Alley. While YCR has been hosting movies at the Red Willow County fairgrounds as part of

Cars Under the Stars, they will be using the “Blue Wall” as a back-drop to show a kid-friendly

Halloween-movie, which will start at approximately 7 p.m. Chairs and tables are available in

Norris Alley but people are encouraged to bring their own comfy seats and a blanket or two

because it will likely get cool after the sun goes down.

There will be food and drinks to purchase during Third Thursday but feel free to bring your own

snacks, popcorn and pop to enjoy during the show.

And as always, there is no cost for the Third Thursdays. There is no cost for the fun and games.

There is no cost for the movie. This is just an opportunity to put away your screens for a couple

hours, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors, and to take advantage of the beautiful areas

available for use in our community.

Ultimately, that is what Third Thursdays are for, to bring back those memories of engaging in

conversations on the sidewalk with your neighbors and enjoying the company of friends as you

stroll down the street. It is also a time to create those memories for our children, of coloring with

chalk on the sidewalk, of running and laughing as the sun sets and the streetlights come on.

Third Thursdays may be a simple concept but it is an idea worth returning to.

And these events have not gone unrecognized. The McCook Creative District received a

“CreDis Award” during the Nebraska Arts Council’s Creative District gathering in Norfolk in

September. The award recognized the district for the Third Thursdays, specifically for bringing

people together and for encouraging organizations and businesses to get involved as hosts.

Although the second year of McCook’s Third Thursday is coming to an end soon, plans are

already underway for the 2026 season. If this is something you would like more information

about or to be involved, please contact the Creative District at mccookcreativity@gmail.com.

There are lots of ways to be a part of Third Thursdays, from being a host of the entire evening to

being a vendor during the event to providing musical entertainment or sharing artistic talents.

Or perhaps it is even the most important way to be involved: just showing up and enjoying the

evening.

Take advantage of the last Third Thursday of the 2025 season Thursday, Oct. 16 on Norris

Avenue in McCook. Take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors and friends just a little

bit better. And take the time to make memories that will last long beyond just this Third

Thursday.

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By Ronda Graff • January 29, 2026

With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.

Jan. 2026 Volunteer of the Month Devoted to Church and Community

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.