It seems like everything we talk about these days are big and audacious, whether it is building a new aquatic facility for our community or the lack of affordable housing.
And while these larger issues do need to be addressed, we sometimes forget that the little things matter. Small decisions we make everyday add up to create how our community feels to both us and to others. Daily actions determine the future of our community and ultimately, the quality of life for ourselves, our families, our friends, and our neighbors.
In “This Is Where You Belong,” Melody Warnick offers up advice about finding and creating the place you want to call home. And these are not grand, sweeping gestures but rather small, daily actions which really can make a difference:
- Walk more
- Buy local
- Get to know your neighbors
- Do fun stuff
- Explore nature
- Volunteer
- Eat local
- Become more political
- Create something new
- Stay loyal through hard times
None of these concepts are earth-shattering but are rather common sense. Nor are they hard to do but are rather doable if you make a conscious decision to do them.
Attend a government meeting and find out where your taxes are going. Explore nature by strolling along the walking trail or visiting one of the many nearby lakes. Reach out to volunteer in something that interests you or could benefit from your expertise and enthusiasm.
Your actions don’t even have to be that big. Do you pick up trash if you see it laying on the sidewalk even though you didn’t drop it? Do you smile and say “Hi” to people as you are walking down the street? Do you plant flowers in your yard?
All of these actions add up to create a welcoming and inviting community that people want to call home.
But the first item - walk more - may be the easiest yet the most important item on the list. Why? Because by simply getting out of your vehicle and walking helps you to get to know your community. You see things you won’t see whizzing by at 30 mph. You meet people you wouldn’t meet if you are behind a windshield. You see up close and personal what needs fixing in your community but more likely, you see what is already great in your community.
While the weather is soon going to be taking a turn toward colder temperatures, don’t let that deter you from taking a nightly stroll or getting up early to walk to work.
I came across a quote about time travel the other day. While not word for word, the gist was that people are afraid to travel back in time because they are afraid some small change they might do may alter the course of history. And that may be true.
But it’s also just as true moving forward. Some small change you may do may alter the course of the future.
Each of us has the opportunity to take the small actions which add up to make our community what we want it to be. Can you imagine what would happen if each and every one of us did one small thing every day to make our community better than it was the day before? I am betting we would make McCook an even better place to call home.
McCook's last hometown bakery closed this past week, leaving a void not just for donuts but for connections.
Many organizations and businesses in McCook offer the opportunity to recycle, reuse and repair items that may just end up in the trash.
Organizer for Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival and former librarian named Oct 2025 volunteer of the month.
McCook's Third Thursdays were created to get businesses and organizations involved and designed to create life-long memories for the community.
Long-time community advocate Barb Ostrum received the Sept 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month award.
We need to celebrate our young people while they are here and encourage them to return.
While some like myself appreciate a rainy day, others dread them for a variety of reasons. We need to be empathetic as interact with others.
MCFF Fall Grant Deadline is Oct. 1. Complete list of former recipients on MCFF website
With so much going, it is time for a “This, That and the Other Thing” column, where we will cover several topics, not very deeply but hopefully with a sense of humor as we clean up and prepare for a busy week in McCook. *** McCook again made state and national news this week for ice. This time, it was in the form of hail that pounded the community for hours upon hours. Conversations this week begin with “where were you….?” or “how many windows did you lose?” And while they may be legitimate and are offering their services, it is like vultures with all the roofing repair and dent removal businesses which have descended upon McCook following the storm. As city officials noted, do your due diligence with any company doing repairs for you and follow the old adage, which is old and still around because it’s true: If something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. And one last note on the storm, we need to be careful what we ask for. As storm after storm approaches McCook and then splits in two to go around the town, we finally got one to roll right over us. The storm liked McCook so much it slowed down and just there. I was in Lincoln during the storm and trying to determine when I would drive home. I thought the weather app had frozen or the radar was broken because every time I looked, the storm was still sitting over McCook, doing its damage. I guess we can be thankful the next time a storm seemingly just goes around us. *** We are in the thick of McCook’s Heritage Days celebration. Congratulations to all the Heritage Days Royalty, which was announced at the MNB Bank Mixer this week. A special shout-out to Bill Donze, better known as Mr. Bill and his wife, Kathy, who were honored as royalty for their impact in McCook. As many know, Mr. Bill is fighting cancer and the prognosis isn’t good. The chances of him selling snow-cones and candy out of his van next summer near the McCook Aquatic Center are not good. One judge of his impact was the response to my column about Mr. Bill a few months ago. The post was shared thousands of times, viewed nearly 70,000 times with just as many comments by people sharing their fond memories of Mr. Bill. So when you see Mr. Bill riding down Norris in the convertible this weekend in the Heritage Days parade, send extra prayers and well-wishes to the man who has brought so much joy to so many kids - and adults too - over the years. *** Continuing on the Heritage Days theme, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the McCook Rotary Club is tossing all egos and formality out the window this weekend. As the president of the McCook Rotary Club, I invite everyone to at least watch, if not participate, in the Rotary’s first inflatable costume relay race on Saturday as part of the festivities in Norris Park. These are those giant, blow-up costumes you usually see around Halloween. The first costumes were usually T-Rexes but now there is everything imaginable available as a design. With the idea for the race originally conceived by Melanie Goodenberger, she has purchased everything from corn on the cob to a cowboy riding a chicken. This is a fund-raiser for the Rotary Club with a cost of just $20 for a team of four to participate in the relay race. But it is also a chance to giggle, perhaps make a fool of yourself and just have fun. Come to the park Saturday afternoon for the Wiener Dog races and stay for the Rotary Relay races. While the dogs will already be close to the ground, the relay race participants will likely just end up on the ground. *** With so much going on in McCook this week, I debated whether there should be another activity the next week but the response has already been great for the Lied’s Arts Across Nebraska’s next production in McCook. Hosted by the McCook Creative District, the Omaha Street Percussion ensemble will perform at the Fox Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 24. There is a matinee showing at 10:30 a.m. but I will be up-front…we are testing the capacity of the Fox with every seat already claimed with students. If that is the only show you can make, please come and we’ll find you a seat but it may be those up in the rafters. Otherwise, please plan to attend the 7 p.m. show on Sept. 24. And even better, there is no cost thanks to the Kimmel Foundation and the Friends of the Lied. This is a busy week and a busy weekend but this is a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy a fun, entertaining evening of live music.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
