When I first moved to McCook, one of the first things that caught my eye was the Fox Theater. I was fascinated every time I saw the sign out front lit up on Norris Avenue.
We aren’t the only community with a Fox Theater...actually, can someone please explain why Fox is such a common name for a theater?
But I digress…
When the Fox marque is lit up, you know you are on Norris Avenue and you are in McCook. But what else is distinctly McCook? What else says “Only in McCook?” What else makes you proud to be from McCook?
Consider this: if someone walked up to you today and started asking you questions about your hometown, what would you say?
How would you describe your community? What sets your town apart from every other town? How is your town better or different than it was five years ago? Where is your community headed? What would you say is the town’s story?
If they asked you why they should move to your hometown, what would you say to convince them? Would you be able to answer in a positive way? Would you recall something about your community which made your smile?
Alternatively, consider the towns you have visited and - more importantly - that you admire. What do you recall about your visit? What makes them stand out? What impressed you and made you say, “We should have that in our town”? What are they doing that you would not only duplicate but then make your own in your hometown?
Most likely, those communities had character. Something that tells a story. Something that is memorable. What are we doing that let’s people know they are in your community and remember it when they leave...or makes them stay?
Most likely, these communities had a common story. Think about Red Cloud and Willa Cather, O’Neill as the Irish capital of Nebraska and Gothenburg claiming the Swedes. Should McCook put more of a focus on George Norris or Buffalo Commons or the lake or the bison herd?
Most likely, these communities invested in themselves to make things happen so that someone who visited five years ago would find something new and different now. Do we have a five-, 10- or 20-year plan for what we want our community to look like?
Those are all ideas that we need to consider for our own community.
What is our story? If someone asked you why they should move there, what would you say? Would you be able to answer in a positive way? Would everyone have a similar story?
As you can tell, I have more questions than answers. But that is where the conversations need to start. We need to be asking ourselves, our leaders and our local organizations these questions. We need to be planning for the future rather than just letting it happen. We need to be having these discussions if are going to make our community a place people want to stay, want to visit and want to call home.
And probably the most important question of all: What are you doing personally to make your community an even better place to call home?
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.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Sharing our resources, such as books and bikes and even benches, help our community better for everyone.
For many years, McCook did just enough to get by but now there is a flurry of activity - with much more possible - which we should be celebrating.
