McCOOK, Neb. – A celebration that spanned generations, the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s annual party on the bricks of Norris Avenue was worth postponing for a week in anticipation of milder weather. Originally scheduled to be held the week of Heritage Days, organizers made the wise decision to move it back a week because of a brutal dip in temperatures last week.

Thursday night’s festivities included hamburgers and hotdogs provided by McCook Rotary and root beer floats from Wagner Auto Group. In between the food and upbeat music, there were a variety of games, puppies, bouncy pumpkins, a picture booth, and a generous donation from a family member whose name is familiar to every McCookite.

The grandson of Frank N. Weiland, whose name is cherished by many Bison football fans who had the honor of playing on Weiland Field, attended the event to present a check for $30,000 for a scholarship fund to be administered by the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

Mayor Linda Taylor and McCook Public Schools Business Manager Jeff Gross shared a laugh as they thanked attendees of McCook Community Foundation Fund’s annual celebration for the generosity of the community.

Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette

Doug Keith and his wife, Sharon, of Brady, Neb., wanted to honor Doug’s grandfather, Frank, and his grandmother, Marion. Frank Weiland, who taught biology and zoology at both the high school and the college, died on Sept. 11, 1948. He was only 52 years old.

Frank and Marion had three children, sons Francis and Joseph, and daughter Marion (Doug’s mother). Doug told the Gazette that his grandfather died before Doug was born, but he has many old pictures, documents, yearbooks, telegrams, and other memorabilia that has helped him fill in the blanks. Frank served in the United States Naval Reserve Force and graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where he met his future wife. He and Marion raised their three children on West 1st Street in McCook.

Originally, Weiland Field was home to McCook College’s football team, and later shared by both the college and the high school. Doug was raised in North Platte, and actually played football on Weiland Field for the visiting team when he was in high school in 1975. (North Platte won that competition.) Doug’s brother also played on the field against the McCook College football team. Doug relayed stories of his grandmother attending the games against North Platte teams, but not cheering for her hometown team. “You can’t root against your grandson, you know.”

Youth Change Reaction members get into the spirit of things at Thursday night's annual McCook Community Foundation Fund event in Norris Alley.

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

Marion died in 1983. Both Marion and Frank are buried in Saint Patrick Calvary Cemetery in McCook.

Dubbed the “Linda and Jeff Show”, McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and McCook Public Schools Business Manager Jeff Gross, who are both members of McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Board, spoke to the gathering and thanked the community for their generosity and support.

They reminded attendees that Nov. 2 is the annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give and encouraged everyone to support the many non-profit organizations during the 24-hour giving event.