The Nebraska Community Foundation peer learning network doesn’t just reside within Nebraska’s borders, it extends to leaders in communities across the country and around the world who are doing extraordinary things in their places.
In early September 2019, over two dozen ambitious Nebraskans hailing from hometowns across the NCF network, boarded an Iowa and Minnesota-bound tour bus to learn about the assets and opportunities available to neighboring community builders and the innovative ways they are capitalizing on them.
The tour group included volunteers and NCF staff members from communities including: Bennet, Bertrand, Columbus, Howells, Imperial, Lincoln, McCook, Minden, Norfolk, Ogallala, Omaha, Paxton, Red Cloud, and Stuart. Many of the volunteers are currently working to meet transformative challenge grants to build their community unrestricted endowments.
The bus tour began in Winterset, Iowa where local leaders talked about heritage tourism and placemaking. In Manchester, the group met a contingent from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and set out on field trips to visit affiliates in Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, and Jones Counties. There, tour participants had the opportunity to interact with and observe programs focusing on rural art, youth engagement, inclusiveness, childcare, energy sustainability, reconnecting people with what they love most about their hometown, and ending stigmas around brain health.
The multi-day tour culminated with a visit to Austin, Minnesota, just 15 miles north of the Iowa border. Austin community builders proudly shared their community welcoming plan with their Nebraska visitors which is designed to welcome new residents, and particularly new Americans, to their community.
Herve Idjidina, the executive director of Austin’s Welcome Center, told his own inspiring story of coming to Austin from Benin, a small French-speaking country in West Africa, through a lottery program so that his children could receive a quality education and enjoy access to job opportunities.
The last stop of the tour was Mason City, Iowa where Mayor Bill Schickel and City Manager Aaron Burnett explained their unique community development strategy. “Art is economic development in Mason City,” said Schickel.
Members of the Nebraska Community Foundation network remarked on what a positive and enlightening experience the tour was. When asked what they will take back to their own NCF affiliated funds, one said “A better, sharper, more well-rounded thought process regarding community development.”
“Embrace what we are and make the most of it. Get people to buy-in to being our best selves as a community. Be innovative while staying true to yourself,” said another.
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.
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.
