Norris Avenue is probably the most well-known street in McCook. Originally named Main Street when McCook was formed in 1882, Norris Avenue is arguably the “heart” of the community. Parades travel down its southern portion and trees tower over the northern section. While not equally dividing the town in half, it does distinguish the east and west sides of town.

On the other end of the notoriety spectrum is Norris Walkway, which many people have likely traversed but didn’t know its’ name. This is the sloped sidewalk connecting the city’s covered parking lot on East First and D Streets to Norris Avenue. It is lined with wrought-iron railing and majestic street lights. And hopefully soon, unique bike racks will be located on either end of the ramp, encouraging bicycling to the downtown area. 

Somewhere in the middle of its renown is Norris Alley. Originally conceived 10 years ago, the former parking lot between the Keystone Business Center and the Fox Theater has been transformed into a community plaza. 

Norris Alley will be in official use this weekend as part of the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival. The KidsFest takes place from 12-3 p.m. in Norris Alley with nearly all the storytelling artists on hand to lead activities and projects with the young people. And there is no charge. Families just need to stop by. 

But what exactly is Norris Alley and how did it come to be?

The idea originated after Mark and Linda Graff utilized the Keystone, the parking lot and the Fox for wedding events. While the parking lot was usable, they envisioned the space as so much more after seeing similar spaces in other communities.

So the Norris Institute took the lead, creating a design and raising funds to transform the space from a rock and dirt parking lot into a community gathering space. 

And many organizations and individuals were part of the project, including the city of McCook which made a donation from the ACE funds. The McCook Community Foundation Fund was also fully in support of creating a space where people could gather and have conversations in the memory of George Norris. MCFF had recently held a successful Walt and Jean Sehnert Challenge, raising money in the interest of arts and culture, and Norris Alley was right up its “alley” for financial support. 

Norris Alley has already been put to use several times since it was completed last fall. As part of the “Night on the Bricks” celebration last November, the Nebraska Community Foundation utilized the space for a video on the common wall with the Fox Theater. 

McCook Community College hosted a pirate-laden theater production last month. Despite some wind testing the actors’ resolve, the play proved to be a good fit for the space.

And now the trees are in full bloom in Norris Alley, providing shade on soon-to-be hot days. The tables and chairs and benches encourage grabbing lunch and visiting with friends. At the very least, the former parking lot has been transformed into a beautiful space.


Just for clarification, there were actually two fund-raising projects as part of Norris Alley. 

Funds were raised to “create” Norris Alley. In other words, Norris Alley funds were used to pour the concrete, install the trees and lighting, and purchase the chairs and tables. 

A separate project - and fund-raising - was held to purchase and install the art piece, “The Blues Wall,” which adorns the west end of Norris Alley. 

And to answer a few often-asked questions: Yes, it is a piece of art. Yes, it is finished. No, it hasn’t been vandalized. 

Art truly is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone will interpret a piece of art differently. Everyone will see something they like or maybe don’t like about a piece of art. That is the beauty of art. There is no right or wrong answer. It is up to each individual to take what they want from what they are seeing. 

Or they can keep on moving until they do find something they like.


Whether driving down Norris Avenue or strolling down the sidewalk, take a moment to appreciate Norris Alley, not just because it is beautiful, especially when the lights are lit up at night. Take a moment to appreciate it because someone turned a dream into reality; because people came together to make it happen; because citizens wanted to make their community better for themselves and for others. Norris Alley truly is an example of making McCook an even better place to call home. 

Wrestling Facility Among Spring Grants; Fall Deadline Approaching

By Ronda Graff • September 23, 2025
MCFF Fall Grant Deadline is Oct. 1. Complete list of former recipients on MCFF website

Cleaning Up and Preparing for a Busy Week

By Ronda Graff • September 19, 2025
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.

Taking a Chance to Try Something New

By Ronda Graff • September 12, 2025
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 Making Strides Around McCook

By Ronda Graff • September 9, 2025
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.

Staying Connected Takes Work, But Worth the Effort

By Ronda Graff • September 4, 2025
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.

Young People Shaping Their Hometowns

By Cindy Huff • September 2, 2025
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.

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.