For the past decade, if we weren’t hosting a road race for the Republican River Fitness Series, we would be driving to a nearby state for an athletic event. With the exception of the lone McCook swim meet, every weekend in June and July would have been spent traveling to a regional pool for a summer swim meet. And there would have been one or two family vacations within driving distance…a distance which was determined by how far we could drive before nine people crammed in a vehicle lost their sanity.

During the summer, our house served as a home base, which we visited for a few hours, maybe a few days to do laundry and restock on supplies before heading out again.

But as all of those activities came to a screeching halt as they did for everyone and we suddenly had to find something else to do with our time.

While the radius of our travels is starting to expand with a trip to the Omaha Zoo or a canoe ride in Valentine, the majority of our time is still spent within 15 miles of home. Like a lot of people, we have taken this time to reconnect with what is available in our community and accomplished things we most likely would not have if not for this pandemic.

If there is a silver lining to these past few months (and who knows how long into the future), it has been the opportunity to rediscover your hometown.

Perhaps, it was a new-found appreciation for the restaurants who adapted to the closures and mastered carry-out in order to stay in business. Maybe it was intentionally shopping at local retailers, which are asked for donations throughout the year. Or maybe it was as simple as walking around your neighborhood, waving at your neighbors, and enjoying the peace and quiet we sometimes take for granted.

Possibly, you took things even further and got things accomplished that you wouldn’t have if not for this pandemic: How many decks were constructed or rebuilt over the past few months? How many gardens were planted for the first time in years? How many people painted nearly every room in their house, if not just to keep their kids busy? O.K. I just recounted everything my family did since March. But we aren’t alone. Judging by the pickup trucks which are loaded with 2x4s in the back as they pass me on my bicycle rides, the local hardware stores and lumber yards have been busier than usual.

And that is great to see. People are investing in their homes for the long-term and they are investing in their community to see it prosper into the future. And there is actually a term for this, which is used by the Nebraska Community Foundation: ABCD.

Developed by Dr. John McKnight, the letters stand for Asset-Based Community Development. The intent is to identify the assets of your community, rather than the weaknesses or needs, and to improve your community by enhancing your assets.

In other words, rather than looking for what is wrong, look for what is right and make it better.

Is McCook perfect? No. Is Southwest Nebraska or Northwest Kansas perfect? No. But there is a lot which is right. And there is a lot which can be made better if we just take a few minutes to rediscover and appreciate our hometowns.

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If you purchased COVID Cash this spring, don't forget to spend those funds at one of the 100 local businesses which accept the COVID Cash certificated. The program is coordinated by volunteers at McCook Christian Church and was funded by a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

You have until September 1 to use the certificates but this weekend during Crazy Days would be a great time to visit local retailers and show your support.