McCOOK, Neb – The Heritage Days Grand Marshal joked, “You don’t have to be good, you just have to be old to get an award,” adding, “I love this community, it has so much to offer.”
Dennis Berry was named the Heritage Days Grand Marshal during a mixer hosted by MNB Bank and taking place at the Keystone Business Center Wednesday evening. The award winners were announced from the balcony of the historic building, while attendees were able to social distance on Norris Avenue.
Berry has served McCook in many ways, including his long career as principal at McCook Junior High School. He has volunteered in many capacities throughout the community as well. He has served on the McCook City Council, holding the position of Mayor for 11 years. He is currently serving on the McCook School Board of Education and is the president of the McCook Economic Development Corporation. He is also a member of the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee. He has long been an advocate for youth and children, serving as a TeamMates mentor, coach for many sports, and has been involved in numerous child advocacy projects locally and across the state.
The Heritage Honor Family is the Matt and Shelly Sehnert family. Their family consists of daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Gretchen, Taylor, and Ty Dixon of Elwood, Neb.; daughter Becca Sehnert of Omaha, Neb.; and son Gabe Sehnert, a student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
The Sehnerts own and operate Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Café on Norris Avenue in McCook, a gathering place and social hub for the community. The bakery has been distinguished as Nebraska’s first and only recipient of the James Beard Foundation America’s Classic award winner.
Shelly has been a teacher at McCook High School for 17 years, where she is a sponsor for the Youth Change Reaction group. Shelly was the recipient of the 2017 Strunk Family Educator of the Year Award.
Matt has served two separate stints on the McCook Chamber of Commerce board of directors, including chairperson in his second term. He has also served on the YMCA board. He is currently president of the McCook Arts Council and a member of the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee. He is one of the organizers for Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival and the Prairie Roots Music Festival in McCook.
The Sehnerts have long been supporters of live music and were recently honored by the Nebraska Arts Council with the Governor’s Arts Award for Partners in the Arts. The award recognizes their continued support of the arts through time, energy expertise, and financial support. They have hosted a concert series of live musical performances called “Live at the Bieroc” for twenty years. The series features singer-songwriters from across the country, as well as showcasing local talent as the opening acts.
In accepting the Honor Family award, Matt said, “I see a lot of friends and I think about how you shaped us. Thirty years ago, we chose to leave the city and come back to McCook to create a life. It’s a great place to raise a family and earn a living and you’ve helped us create a wonderful life, so thank you.”
He went on to acknowledge his bakery crew, and especially his parents, Walt and Jean Sehnert, who are recognized as community leaders and owned and operated the bakery before Matt and Shelly took over.
Shelly shared with mixer attendees the reason they have become so involved in various community activities. “We have always had the philosophy that wherever you are, make it the best you can make it. So when we came to McCook, we said that we were going to make this a place we want to be. So that’s what we’ve done.”
Heritage Days activities continue tomorrow with the George Norris Prayer breakfast at 7 a.m. at McCook Christian Church and the Heritage Days Parade starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday on Norris Avenue.
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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
