As we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season, I always start thinking of Thanksgiving Day. I begin by planning which weekend my family will be able to join me for our family’s favorite foods and a time of sharing about what is happening in their world...

Over the next 10 years, more than $422 million will transfer from one generation to the next in McCook and Red Willow County as part of the “transfer of wealth.” That numbers jumps to $3.9 billion (yes, with a B) over the next 50 years.  Those numbers are staggering. But more importantly, those amounts are transformational - for good or for bad in a community - depending on what happens with a person’s assets. ...

Anyone who visits my house sees two signs posted around my home. One signs says: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is a sign that you would normally see at Christmas. But every week and month can be the most wonderful time of the year — it is up to us to make it that way...

As I’ve made my way through high school, I heard my fair share of people saying “I can’t wait to get out of McCook” once they graduate. I used to hear this and I would shrug my shoulders and maybe even agree. But as I reflect on these past few years with graduation now in the rear-view mirror, I realize how profoundly my perspective has changed...

As my high school career comes to an end, I reflect on all of the accomplishments, failures, lessons, and opportunities that I have made. From participating in sports to being involved in clubs, I have learned a tremendous amount of skills that I will be able to apply to my...

Funds available to help students achieve their dreams For high school seniors in Southwest Nebraska, the deadlines are quickly approaching to apply for scholarships and grants to help fund further training and education. While this may be frantic for some, this remains my favorite time in the educational season...

Pearls of wisdom from the past apply today Wisdom - The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The word, wisdom, can be a little intimidating. If you are interested in finding meaning and purpose in your life, then you may be interested in gaining wisdom. If you are interested in bringing joy to a your life, then you may be want to learn how to live wisely...

My time at McCook High School is nearing an end, which also means my membership on McCook Community Foundation Fund’s Youth Change Reaction group will also come to a close. And to sum up my experience over the past few years, YCR has played a huge role in my personal growth and appreciation for our little community...

The Omaha World-Herald reported on Jan. 5th that Nebraska’s level of “brain drain” outmigration is now one of the worst in the nation, based upon the percentage of the population, and is continuing down a long-term unfavorable trend. At both the state and local level, it is getting ever more challenging to attract and retain workers. And that competition is not going to ease anytime soon due to significant demographic challenges...

McCook exemplifies the essence of a tight-knit, thriving community. In a world that sometimes seems to prioritize individualism, our town has a heartbeat that beats in unison with the spirit of our residents. The real heartbeat of this unity lies in the selfless acts of community involvement and volunteerism, which provide the muscle for McCook's growth and well-being...

Last month, I had the pleasure of taking a four-day bus trip across rural Nebraska with 19 Canadians, mostly from the Newfoundland/Labrador area. As part of the trip, the group visited Lincoln, Shickley, Red Cloud, McCook, Ogallala, the Calamus area and Albion to learn about tourism and economics and the link between the two...

As I enter my senior year at McCook High School, being a member of Youth Change Reaction has truly been a privilege and a one-of-a-kind experience during my high school career. As a freshman, I applied for YCR because I knew upperclassmen who were a part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s youth organization and they shared their great experiences. ...

We have often heard the phrase, “Life is what you make of it.” This is also symbolized in the story of the “dash,” commonly heard at funeral services, representing the years between birth and death. The “dash” truly represents, “Do all you can, while you can, as we are not guaranteed a tomorrow.”...

I come from a family of volunteers. My father, Leroy Leibrandt, served on the Red Willow County Fair Board for 42 years. My mother, Lois, worked the open class building at the fair, spent years as a volunteer at the McCook YMCA teaching water aerobics and volunteered many hours at the Helping Hand thrift store...

Since this summer marked my family’s 10-year anniversary in McCook, I figured it was a good time to reflect on my time here. When I moved here in the summer of 2013, I knew this was the place that we were supposed to be, but it wasn’t the place I wanted to be. My heart was set on someplace bigger, more metropolitan, with a Trader Joe’s, Indian Food, and a place to drink a cup of coffee and get some Wi-Fi at 9 p.m...

As part of my summer hometown internship with the McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Fund Committee and Nebraska Community Foundation, I was asked to write a “love letter” to the committee and the community. The letter is to not only sum up what I have learned and experienced the past few months, but also to share what I love about my hometown...

Growing up in McCook, I always believed that attractions and events were what would bring me back to my hometown after college. While I still enjoy those things, my perspective has drastically changed over the last two years and especially this past year...

A few weeks ago, residents and some members of the McCook Community Foundation Fund met to discuss how to attract people to McCook. To break the ice, those in attendance each had to name two positive attributes about McCook. Interestingly, none of the 15-20 people in attendance repeated ideas. And we all realized there really are a lot of positive things to list about our hometown...

As my final high school days come to an end, I look back on the past four years and realize how much I have changed, especially in the area of leadership. As a freshman, I tended to lead only by actions, which I still feel is important. But now that I am a senior, I have also found my vocal side of leadership...