McCook and southwest Nebraska are my home. While personal experiences and

belonging are unique to each person, we all contribute to creating meaningful

opportunities and lasting connections for the youth we help, helping them build a lifelong

sense of hometown pride. Three events this summer created opportunities to form

partnerships and build valuable connections.

My role in Summer 2025 was as director for two McCook High School graduates, along

with partner Jeff Gross and Ronda Graff. This program is made possible by the

Nebraska Community Foundation Summer Hometown Intern Program and also

supported by the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

Natalie Roberts (MHS Class of 2023), a past member of MCFF's youth group YCR

(Youth Change Reaction), contributed to fostering engagement with the Bison

Newsletter and enhancing connections with alums. Her social media posts help former

MHS graduates reestablish connections with McCook, including those who have

relocated.

Lucas Gomez-Wilson, MHS Class of 2023, pursued community development by utilizing

video platforms and producing a range of content. He reviewed previous videos and

created new material. He participated in various experiences within the community to

document life in his hometown. His video projects aim to represent aspects of living in

McCook, including community activities, personal stories, and community welcoming

events.

In spring 2025, the Nebraska Community Foundation initiated its inaugural statewide

Youth Summit for youth organizations connected to NCF. The event, held in McCook,

was co-organized by MCFF's youth group, Youth Change Reaction (YCR). YCR is

composed of students from MHS High School and supported by their sponsors: Shelly

Sehnert, Gavin Harsh, and Pam Wolford.

The first Youth Summit was a 24-hour event exploring McCook's many assets. YCR led

activities about creating local experiences that build connections and pride in their

hometown. Former and current members discussed their role in establishing Cars

Under the Stars, the out-door theater at Red Willow County Fair Grounds, which is truly

inspiring. Their journey, filled with challenges like fundraising and equipment

procurement, showcases their determination and resilience. Despite facing a constant

barrage of unpredictable obstacles, they never gave up. This experience not only

boosted their confidence but also instilled a sense of hometown pride.

Past and present YCR members participated in a conversation with Caroline Kleinfox,

Director of U.S. Sustainable Development Goals, based in New York City. Kleinfox was

most interested in the discussion from our youth and their reaction to the sustainable

goals and how they impact our day-to-day living, along with the long-term effects of their

implementation on their own future and our environment.

All of these ventures serve as proof of concept for the significant value that young

people in our hometowns contribute as assets, though their contributions are at times

underestimated. These experiences have broadened my perspective on the benefits of

engaging young people in decision-making processes and partnering with them to

shape the communities we all aspire to call home.

Let's come together to celebrate our youth's achievements and work collaboratively to

build a welcoming community where every young person feels at home.

***

Cindy Huff is the McCook Community Foundation Fund past chairperson and Nebraska

Community Foundation chair-elect, along with grandparenting, gardening and fishing in

her spare time.

By Ronda Graff October 16, 2025
Many organizations and businesses in McCook offer the opportunity to recycle, reuse and repair items that may just end up in the trash.
By Ronda Graff October 13, 2025
Organizer for Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival and former librarian named Oct 2025 volunteer of the month.
By Ronda Graff October 10, 2025
McCook's Third Thursdays were created to get businesses and organizations involved and designed to create life-long memories for the community.
By Ronda Graff October 2, 2025
Long-time community advocate Barb Ostrum received the Sept 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month award.
By Peggy Been October 1, 2025
We need to celebrate our young people while they are here and encourage them to return.
By Ronda Graff September 29, 2025
While some like myself appreciate a rainy day, others dread them for a variety of reasons. We need to be empathetic as interact with others.
By Ronda Graff September 23, 2025
MCFF Fall Grant Deadline is Oct. 1. Complete list of former recipients on MCFF website
By Ronda Graff September 19, 2025
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.
By Ronda Graff September 12, 2025
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
By Ronda Graff September 9, 2025
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.