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.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
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
