My husband, Kent, and I are for all practical purposes homebodies.
Yes, I venture out for work, and we belong to various community and church groups that add fun and enriching activities to our lives.
But for the most part, we are pretty happy and comfortable at our small rural home. Heaven knows, there is always something to do whether it is tending to our animals, mowing our yard, working in our garden or doing one of the many fix-it projects. So we really don’t think of ourselves as being socially out and about town much.
Then COVID-19 hit.
I don’t want to diminish in any way the seriousness of the coronavirus for those who became ill, those who were isolated from their families and friends, and especially those who lost loved ones.
However, when things started to shut down and events were cancelled, we quickly realized we actually had a rather active social life, which was generated by the rich variety of cultural arts both across Nebraska and in our community.
Suddenly, the mother-daughter-granddaughter excursion to Omaha to see The Lion King - cancelled. The five Broadway musicals planned at the Lied Center in Lincoln - gone. And all the local events on our calendar - postponed.
With this new-found time on my hands, I started thinking about all of the cultural events we attend each year in McCook and was surprised by the sheer number of the opportunities along with the diversity we have nearby to enjoy.
A quick list of what we missed last year included McCook Community Concerts, Sehnert’s Live at the Bieroc series, the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival, Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association’s productions, MNB’s Hot Summer Nights concerts, Prairie Roots Festival, Arts Across Nebraska, McCook Heritage Days’ productions in the park, activities at the Red Willow County Fair, Simply String’s fall concert at the Fox Theater, and the Christmas dance recital of The Nutcracker. I know I am missing some, but this demonstrates how much is actually happening on a regular basis in our community.
As empty nesters, our list no longer includes the many school performances that may be on your list from band concerts to spring musical programs. And we haven’t even touched on the arts presented through McCook Community College.
The list makes me wonder how we fit it all in our schedule and still got the chores done! I cannot imagine that many towns our size can boast of having such a wealth of arts to enjoy, highlighting all the amazing talent in our community.
As we move out of the COVID-imposed hibernation and into a new and fresh springtime, this is the perfect time to consider everything our community has to offer.
The arts help us know who we are and give us an opportunity to share that with others. So, I ask you to consider making our local arts scene a part of the fabric of your life.
Bring your children and your parents and your grandparents to these events as they resume. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you in the front row of a local performance. Come share laughter with (and at!) your neighbors up on stage. Share some tears of joy and pride as you marvel at the talents of those who live here and the performers who visit us.
After all, if we want these performances to resume and to continue, we need to do our part and simply show up. It is time to once again enjoy the experience of live entertainment. The cost is minimal when compared to the sense of community created and the memories shared. And most importantly, it all happens right here in your hometown.
Like me, I hope you are tired of being a homebody. And I will look for you at one or more of these wonderful community arts performances, all which help make McCook an even better place to call home.
Peggy Been is the secretary for the McCook Community Foundation Fund and has a passion for all things McCook and Southwest Nebraska.
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
