If there is one thing which has changed for my family over the past few months, it is the reduced number of miles on our vehicles.
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.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
