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.
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.
