As November comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on everything that has transpired in our community in just a few short weeks. Looking back, we have so much to be thankful for. Looking forward, we have so much to be grateful for.

For starters, we kicked the month off with the 6th annual Big Give McCook, reaching record numbers yet again. Big Give came together because dozens of volunteers worked all year long to make it happen. Big Give came together because the Big Give nonprofit organizations are the backbone of our communities and we need them to thrive and grow. Big Give came together because the community made donations in both large and small amounts, proving that together we are stronger.

Just a week later, more than 70 community members spent four hours learning how to make their boards run smoother, to work better, to be more efficient as part of a Board Master training. Giving up half their day, these board members realized the importance of having strong - and educated - organizations if we want to have a thriving community. 

A couple take-aways from the training. At least a half dozen area towns were represented at the Board Master training, meaning that many Southwest Nebraska towns are working to make their communities even better. Their participation also shows that rising tides lift all ships. If one of us is better, then all of us are better. If area towns are doing better, then McCook does better.

And as everyone in the training room introduced themselves, they also shared just a few of the organizations they belonged to. I lost count on the number of organizations which were represented, but as we all know in small towns, people wear multiple hats. I am looking forward to seeing progress on the boards of all the organizations mentioned in the training. Great things are going to happen because these people took the time to improve themselves, so they could improve the organizations they are trying to help.

And finally, hundreds of community members from across the state and Midwest descended upon McCook for Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual training and celebration last week. 

This was truly a group effort to pull off this type of event, which showcased not only McCook but all of Southwest Nebraska. And this was not by chance. 

The NCF training rotates locations around Nebraska, last taking place in York in 2019. While York has a great facility at the Holtus conference center, we didn’t know we were in York. 

We didn’t want the same thing to happen when it was in McCook. Because for some people, this may be their only visit to McCook in years…or ever…and we wanted them to know they were in McCook. We wanted them to remember their time here. We wanted them to get to know the great people of McCook and Southwest Nebraska.

And the community stepped up in so many ways. 

We asked to bring Christmas a little early by “Lighting Up McCook.” The businesses went above and beyond in decorating store-front windows and stringing lights around their windows. We didn’t skip Thanksgiving; we just brought a little more light to the holiday.

We asked several downtown locations to host training sessions, which entailed moving tables and chairs, closing to the public for a few hours and setting up sound systems. They all easily agreed and then bent over backwards to be helpful and accommodating. 

The celebration wrapped up with Night on the Bricks, showcasing downtown McCook as well as all of Southwest Nebraska. 

Not only was it a fun event, but Night on the Bricks also showed that we can take a chance on a new event and try something different. More than eight different locations were utilized which was logistically difficult but everyone did their part to make it happen.

Night on the Bricks showed that we can pull many different businesses, entities and communities together to make something happen which benefits us all. In addition to many McCook businesses and organizations, we had businesses from Imperial, Stratton, Bertrand and Eustis involved in the event. Again, rising tides lift all ships. 

Night on the Bricks showed that we have a great community, which wants to come together to make great things happen. And for that, I am truly grateful. 

On behalf of the entire McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee, we hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We appreciate all the people who make McCook - and Southwest Nebraska - an even better place to call home. 

Love for McCook Grows Through Internship

By Natalie Roberts • August 15, 2025
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.

Summer and McCook Tradition Coming to an End

By Ronda Graff • August 8, 2025
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 Named to Revitalize and Thrive Communities

By Ronda Graff • August 6, 2025
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program

Getting Outside to National Night Out

By Ronda Graff • August 4, 2025
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.

July 2025 Volunteer Makes Positive Impact At Chamber and Across Community

By Ronda Graff • July 29, 2025
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month

June Volunteer of the Month Key to Numerous Organizations

By Ronda Graff • July 29, 2025
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month

Sharing Books and Bikes Great Use of Resources

By Ronda Graff • July 29, 2025
Sharing our resources, such as books and bikes and even benches, help our community better for everyone.

Celebrating a Flurry of Activity in Our Community

By Ronda Graff • July 19, 2025
For many years, McCook did just enough to get by but now there is a flurry of activity - with much more possible - which we should be celebrating.

Family Resource Center Using Grant for New Ideas

By Ronda Graff • July 15, 2025
Family Resource Center is using a grant from MCFF to support current and new projects.

Picking up the Lost Baton That Lead To Cars Under the Stars

By Gavin Harsh • July 9, 2025
It was fall of 2012. I was a senior in high school and preparing for the next chapter of my life, college. I was determined that I was going to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for physical therapy. I also knew to go through undergrad and graduate school I was going to need a lot of scholarships or “student debt” would be my middle name. With that mindset, I ultimately decided not to play basketball my senior year to allocate my time to scholarship applications and a part-time job. It was a tough decision since I enjoyed playing basketball and being around my friends, but it was an investment toward my future. Flash forward to early spring, where I was absolutely blessed by being recognized as a recipient of numerous scholarships that alleviated a major financial burden! Leading up to that point, I was already active in community service projects. But upon receiving those scholarships, I was motivated to give back and say “thank you” for the investment in my education by others. I wanted to do something big, something that would impact the community. Through various conversations and research, I decided to bring back an iconic memory to many McCook natives, a drive-in movie. Through strong partnerships with many local businesses and volunteers, we held a drive-in movie not only my senior year but also my first two years of college, as I returned to help coordinate the project. During the three years of shows in McCook, we rented all the equipment from Dallas, but the dream was to build a permanent, non-profit drive-in for the community to use. However, as I progressed further in my new career of farming, my resources of time and energy were capped and the event sat idle. That is until a group of young, ambitious, and talented students picked up the lost baton. During numerous discussions, Youth Change Reaction members, otherwise known as YCR, shared that they wanted to complete a big project. Many ideas were tossed around, but when the idea of bringing back the drive-in movie came about, it stuck for two reasons: these young adults had memories of attending drive-in movies plus it would meet their goal of going BIG. In the process of picking up the lost baton, their journey into uncharted waters included raising $75,000, building partnerships with community businesses and organizations, and finding the proper equipment. It was truly humbling and at that point, because life really had come full circle. I was once a YCR member and had this dream nearly 10 years ago. But now these young adults went above and beyond in building McCook’s very own “Cars Under the Stars” non-profit outdoor drive-in theater. This project was a true philanthropic endeavor that not only will last for many years, but leaves a legacy, young or old, that we all play a vital role in our community. The power of community collaboration, teamwork, and dedication pulled off a tremendous feat and now our community has a long-standing asset to enjoy. I encourage everyone to take these philanthropic efforts exemplified by our talented youth and implement them into our communities. Embodying the mission of making our rural Nebraska community a better place to live and call home. Those efforts may not result in fulfilling the entire dream you have, but it may be planting the seed and laying the foundation for someone to pick it up. We all have our blessed talents. What are we doing to help move our community forward? What has someone done before you to help set the stage for you to improve? Is there a lost baton in your community that you can pick up and make better? *** Gavin Harsh is an original member of Youth Change Reaction, the youth organization for the McCook Community Foundation Fund, and now serves as a volunteer member on the MCFF Advisory Committee.