When I mention that my husband and I are chaperoning a high school dance, people usually have one of three reactions: pity, sympathy or bewilderment.
I, on the other hand, really enjoy sponsoring dances. It gives us a chance to hear music of which we have no idea what they are saying...and probably don’t want to know. It gives us a chance to bust out our best 1980s dance moves, much to the chagrin of our own children at the dance. And it gives us a chance to just hang out with many of our great younger people, while they are doing something fun.
(And congratulations to Liv Wier and Bryce Dutton on being crowned MHS Color Day Queen and King this past weekend.)
Every year but especially this year, we need to be intentional about creating possibilities where our young people can have fun, can make memories, and can form those bonds with our community.
It is having a dance, even though everyone has to wear a mask - and did a great job wearing them all night. It is creating a inviting space, where kids feel safe and welcome. It is creating opportunities where they can be involved and make an impact and even have ownership of their own projects.
The McCook skate park is a great example of empowering and supporting young people and seeing their idea come to fruition. The idea started with young people who simply wanted a skate park, which so many towns already had. They were involved every step of the way and now McCook can say it has a skatepark. And even if you will never use a skate park, it is still an asset for the community. It could be the one thing that makes a family with young kids choose to move to McCook - or not.
It is investing in our young people, both with our dollars and our time.
Perhaps it is coaching a youth sports team at the YMCA. Maybe you have a passion for a sport that you could share with a young person. Maybe this is your chance to spend more time with your grandchild doing something healthy.
Just because you don’t have a child enrolled does not mean you cannot help. I have a picture of me standing in the middle of Weiland Field (yes, that’s where we played when the program began), six months pregnant with my first child, surrounded by a gaggle of 10 year olds during half-time of a soccer game. She’s now 24 and I’ve coached soccer every year since.
While we may not realize it now, investing our time and money in young people will pay off down the road when those kids become the employees we need to fill the many jobs open in our community; when those kids return from college with a spouse in a tow (the “better half” as I like to call myself) and start their family; or when those kids are our next leaders and volunteers for the many great organizations and programs which already exist or which they will create on their own.
Every day, each and everyone of us makes decisions which will have an impact on what our community will look like for future generations.
But we have a special opportunity next week to share what we would like our community to look like next year, 10 years from now, 20, 30 or even 50 years from now. Decisions made today will affect us, our children and our grandchildren for years to come.
The city of McCook is hosting a town hall meeting next Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the City Auditorium on West 5th Street. Everyone will have a chance to provide input on what we would like our community to be, what projects we would like to see completed, what is important for our community to not just maintain the status quo but to actually thrive and grow.
Even if you can’t attend in person, there are still ways to participate. There are plans to Zoom the town hall, so check the city website for further instructions. Or you can always email or call the city offices to share your ideas and suggestions.
While posting on Facebook or calling the radio station lets a person vent, it is not the most productive way to get something accomplished. City officials would rather hear helpful suggestions before the fact, rather than negative comments when it’s too late.
While the meeting will focus on issues the city can address such as the pool project, street maintenance and annexation, there is no reason other ideas cannot be shared. Maybe those ideas will be picked up by other groups and organizations in our community or even individuals who share your passion.
And who knows? Maybe it is your idea which makes a 2021 graduate decide to stay in McCook after graduation. Maybe it is your passion which convinces an alumni to invest in their hometown. Maybe it is your creativity which pushes a former resident to return and raise their family here.
So plan on attending, speaking or even just listening at the Feb. 18 town hall meeting, so we can all make McCook an even better place to call home.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
