Before World War II there were a number of Greek restaurants across Nebraska. Trano’s, in Norfolk, was my favorite. Petro’s, in Fremont, was my wife’s favorite. But there were others in Grand Island, Kearney, and McCook as well. And in the ’50s Indianola had its Greek restaurant too, run by two brothers, George and Jim Theros. These men had run a sizeable Greek restaurant in Lexington, but had downsized in Indianola to a very small operation, on the north side of Highway 6 & 34...

Harry Strunk was one of the most influential people who ever lived in McCook. He was also one of the most colorful. After a disagreement with the local schoolmaster in his native Pawnee City, Harry dropped out of school. At age 14, with only an 8th-grade education, he landed a job as “printer’s devil” on a local paper. ...

During his lifetime Harry Strunk exerted great influence on McCook and our area, the effects of which are felt to the present day. He was also one of the most colorful figures of his day. After a disagreement with the local schoolmaster in his native Pawnee City, NE Harry dropped out of school. ...

Each summer the Great Lakes in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas become the playground for countless numbers of fishermen, boating enthusiasts, and picnickers. This is to say nothing of the primary beneficiaries of the lakes --- the area irrigators, and citizens who are protected from the ravages of floods from the region’s rivers and streams. ...

In 2004 McCook (and Nebraska) lost one of its finest storytellers, when Frank Benner Morrison passed away at the McCook Hospital, just a few days short of his 99th birthday. Frank was born in Colorado, where his parents, Frank and Viva had planned to homestead, in the eastern part of the state. However, when her husband, Frank, died when young Frank was only two years old Viva chose to take Frank and his three sisters back to Manhattan KS, to live with Viva’s parents, Jacob and Charlotte Benner...

With the recent cold weather, I’m reminded similar time when a freak ice storm hit Lincoln, Ne when Jean and I were in college. For those of us who were not around to see the winter of 1888, the winter of ’48-’49 was close enough. Plainview, and Northeast Nebraska began to receive snow around the first of November. ...

Note: With the winter cold, it seemed appropriate to bring back some stories about a great Nebraska Blizzard -- in 1888. The Blizzard of Jan. 12-13, 1888, one of the greatest tragedies that ever hit the State of Nebraska, has been referred to as the “School Children’s Blizzard”, as it trapped so many children in country schools across the state. ...

It’s with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of my lifelong friend, Chris Buethe. Chris loved his trips to McCook and gained many friends through the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival. Today we remember this professor, storyteller, friend...

It was Christmas Day, 1951 — our first Christmas as a married couple. The problem was that we weren’t together. Jean, my bride of six months, was in Nebraska. I was in Korea; so far away from home that if I went any further I’d be coming back again—in a land where they didn’t celebrate Christmas anyway. And worse yet, I had the graveyard shift—on Christmas Day! I was having a bad case of homesickness...

Note: Recently we remembered McCook Attorney, Wade Stevens and the part he played in one of SW Nebraska’s most sensational murder cases. But before that Wade Stevens was a flyer in France during World War I. As a direct result of that experience, Wade and his friend Dr. Frank Brewster made a bit of aviation history of their own right here in SW Nebraska...

Note: Recently, members of the McCook High School National Honor Society assisted at a Bingo Party at one of McCook’s Retirement Centers. During the course of the evening one of the residents asked one of the students, a varsity MHS football player, if he knew about the football exploits of Jeff Kinney. ...

In 2009, football Bowl games, in which the Cornhuskers are one of the contestants, are pretty much of a given. Many fans plan vacations around the annual Bowl game. On the rare occasion that the Huskers fare so poorly that they are not invited to a Bowl, there is general discontent throughout the state. This was not always the case...

In 1946 the McCook football team was receiving rave reviews all across Nebraska. In that day McCook High competed as a Class A school, in the West Big Ten, with perhaps the smallest enrollment in Class A. McCook’s school population was dwarfed by the Omaha and Lincoln schools, as well as by Kearney, Grand Island and Fremont. ...

... And he came upon the (College football) world, bursting like a comet in a long, very dark night, and the people (Nebraskans) were filled with awe and wonderment. Almost as quickly as he had appeared he was gone. The people were sad, but at the same time were filled with hope and dared dream of better times ahead…...

(Note: In the 100-plus year history of Nebraska the state has produced many great players. Most of us have our favorites. One of mine is Tom Novak, a one of a kind Nebraska boy who came along in the bleak years of Cornhusker football, after WW II. Tom was an inspirational leader of his teams, and has served as an inspiration to the players who came after him. This football season, I feel Tom deserves another look.)...

No matter how many winning seasons the NU football team has, or how many championships are achieved, the 1940 season, culminating with a trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena— Nebraska’s first bowl game, will have a special place in Husker history. The members of that pre-WW II team were very close— like brothers, as one member of that team described it, led by a true “father figure”, Col. ...

Coach E.E. Bearg (at NU 1925-28), by most standards, had been successful at Nebraska in his four years of coaching the Cornhuskers. His teams had improved each year, culminating in Nebraska’s first ever Big Six Championship in 1928. But the Cornhusker fans wanted more, and there were grumblings around the state, “Bearg teams did not use deception and strategy,” relying instead on raw power. ...

“Outlined against a blue, gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again.” In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction, and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley, and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone, before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon, as 55,000 spectators peered down on the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.” This paragraph, penned by Grantland Rice, of the NY Herald-Tribune, on the occasion of the Notre Dame’s victory over Army, 13-7, on Oct. ...

Note: With the advent of Scott Frost, to hopefully lead the Husker football team into a new era of excellence, it seems like a good time to look back on the early coaches of the Nebraska teams The University of Nebraska played its first game of football in 1890, and by the turn of the century had already become something of a powerhouse in the Midwest, behind such stars as Ebenezer Mockett, and George Flippin. ...

Note: Tuesday, August 14th was just another day at Brookdale. But when one of the residents, a Veteran of WW II stopped by to remind me of another day, 73 years ago, it brought memories of that day coming back in a flood. Wow! Suddenly I wasn’t an old man anymore. I was caught up in a rosy wave of nostalgia...

Note: Recently McCook lost a good friend, with the death of Dale Hofman. In 2012 it was my privilege to sit down with Dale as he recalled, with considerable relish, one of the big events in his life – the title game of the 1956 football season. Probably the greatest feeling a high school football player can have is to be a member of a championship team, undefeated, even unchallenged during the season. ...

Note: In a new book (to me), This Blessed Earth, by Todd Genoways, Mr. Genoways tells a bit of the history of the pivot irrigation industry, including the involvement of my Dad, Walter, and I had with the fledgling Valley Irrigation Co. I’d like to say I recognized this as a historical event of worldwide proportions. ...

In the years leading up to World War I the Fourth of July was one of McCook’s favorite celebrations. In those days there were still Veterans of the Civil War around, both Northerners and Southerners, who turned out for every patriotic parade, and the patriotic fervor they engendered was contagious. ...

One of McCook’s favorite leisure time activities over the years has been dancing. On the 4th of July, 1882, when McCook had been incorporated as a town for only two months, Grand Balls were held at H.C. Rider’s store building and at the Russell & Colvin Hotel to wrap up a full day of festivities in the town. It was not reported who provided the music for these events...

In 1923 Gale Baldwin sat down to write his recollections of the early days of Southwest Nebraska for the Hitchcock County paper. At that time Mr. Baldwin was 76 years of age and had a good deal to say about his adventures in the “good old days”. Baldwin had first come to the region from Iowa in 1871, with his wife and two small children. They came in a covered wagon drawn by two mules. Gale was on a hunting expedition---to shoot buffalo, but more importantly, to find a “home”...

In August of 1945 a grizzled old frontiersman visited our city. His name was Captain Jack Lloyd. He made an appearance at the old Temple Theater and held his audience entranced, as he described how in his own lifetime he had bridged the time between the really “Wild West” and the world as it was then, at the end of World War II...

Note: The story of Gen. Eisenhart’s funeral and the beautiful Culbertson Cemetery brought forth memories of Frannie Weiland, the keeper of McCook’s flags. For many years following WW II, Frannie Weiland was McCook’s most visible citizen, in downtown McCook — a familiar sight along Norris Avenue, pulling his little red wagon, filled with window washing equipment...

Note: We celebrate Flag Day this week on June 14th. One of the really stirring displays of American Flags in this area is at the hillside cemetery in Culbertson along Highway 6&34. Of course, those flags fly proudly on Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, but on other special occasions as well. I never pass that cemetery without remembering the time when those flags welcomed “home” a hometown hero, General Charles Eisenhart...

Recently, in a conversation with one of the fellows at Brookdale, the subject of smoking came up. He told his story, that when he was a teenager he got into his father’s cigarettes and got caught trying them out behind the barn. His father, rather than gave him a good talking to, instead gave him a good paddling. ...

It must have been in the fall of 1941, just before the start of World War II. I was in Mrs. Chase’s 8th-grade government class. The subject concerned ways in which individual citizens could affect the workings of government and make themselves heard. ...

(The story about Jerry Solomon’s death reminded us of a good friend of his, Johnny Carson. This account is from the Gazette archives.) News of Ed McMahon’s death this week brought back a flood of memories of Ed, the ultimate sidekick, and his boss, Johnny Carson, who entertained America for over 30 years...

Nebraska sports and music recently lost a friend and champion, with the death of Jerry Solomon. Jerry was well known in this area, which he loved to return. This, from the Gazette archives, is a story about his love of sports, especially basketball...

I’ve been surprised that no one seems to play chess anymore. In a retirement settlement, where everyone has time on their hands, it would seem that a game like chess might fill time for folks that have a great deal of time to kill, but I have yet to see anyone at Brookdale playing chess. ...

Note: In a recent story about the bad luck that winning the lottery brought some winners, we talked about an exception to the rule, one Brad Duke. Today we take a little closer look at Brad Duke, and see how he has been doing since he won the lottery...

Recently, at a gab session I attended, the subject of winning the lottery came up. I’m sure that at one time or another each of us has pondered (if just for a moment) just what we would do if we won big money in the lottery. That seemed to be the case for most of the people at the table. For most of us that is probably pure speculation, because one has to buy a lottery ticket in order to have a chance to win and most of us never even take that first step...

One of the benefits of living in a retirement community, like Brookdale of McCook is hearing stories about families of the residents. Since most are of the age when World War II was the all-consuming topic of the news in their youth, we hear a good bit about how things were: “During the war.” You don’t need to ask, “Which war?” — we all know. ...

(Note: Perhaps the most important of the scientific innovations that were spawned by WW I was the development of the airplane. Just 11 years after the Wright Brothers proved to the world that powered flight was not only possible but even practical, most of the countries of the civilized world rushed to develop their own entry into the new air age. In doing so, they unleashed a most new, extremely effective killing machine that changed the nature of war forever.)...

People don’t give much thought to World War I anymore. In a recent survey on the most important events of the 20th century World War I barely made it into the top ten. This is unfortunate. A case can be made that World War I had a profound effect on almost everything that happened for the rest of the last century—-the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, World War II, the Holocaust, the development of the atomic bomb. ...

Recently, in a conversation with a new resident of McCook, the fellow mentioned his fondness for the Higgins landing craft, the little boat that played such an important part in the allied Normandy invasion of Europe, as well as the invasion of so many islands in the Pacific during World War II. ...

Note: Recently, members of the McCook High School National Honor Society assisted at a Bingo Party at one of McCook’s Retirement Centers. During the course of the evening one of the residents asked one of the students, a varsity MHS football player, if he knew about the football exploits of Jeff Kinney. ...

Note: 100 years ago, in April 1917, the United States joined England and its Allies in a conflict against the German Army, now known as World War I. This was the first of entire world struggles, “The War to End All Wars.” Unfortunately, this would not be the last of these Worldwide Wars. Before the Armistice was signed in November 1918 some 2 million American servicemen saws service in France. 50,000 of them were killed...

Today it is refreshing to see how we are honoring our men in uniform, even though we seem to disagree on almost everything else. World War II was the last time, perhaps the only time, that our nation was near universally united in a common cause---that of defeating our enemies in Europe and in Asia. ...

To borrow the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ classic, “The Tale of Two Cities,” 1918 was the best of times — it was the worst of times. On the plus side, 1918 marked the end of World War I, the first of the world-wide wars, which had raged in Europe since 1914. That was good. But, on the minus side, 1918 marked the beginning of the outbreak of a flu epidemic, which by 1920 had become a flu pandemic, circling the globe, and reaching even to the Arctic and remote Pacific Islands...

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story by Walt Sehnert once won first place and a $2,500 prize in a University of Nebraska alumni writing contest. With the recent ice storm that hit McCook on the Thursday before Christmas, I’m reminded similar time when a freak ice storm hit Lincoln, Ne when Jean and I were in college...

During the ‘30s, my Dad worked out an arrangement with a Mr. Riley, of Pierce, who had quite a large herd of Shetland ponies, and found them expensive to feed year around. Dad agreed to take one of the ponies, keep him through the winter, and in lieu of cash, trade a certain amount of baked goods for a pony...

Recently, word came, via The Plainview News, informing us that Harold Foster had passed away at the age of 99. I never really knew Harold — he was some ten years older than I, but I knew his younger brothers — Earl, whose backyard adjoined my folk’s house, and Orville, who was my age, and a fellow who, with the start of football, had just become my friend...

The other day I was visiting with a lady who had recently visited our nation’s Capital and was thrilled with her tour. “We really had the complete tour. I believe we saw absolutely everything there was to see.” “Did you see the White House jail?” I asked...

On their way to a National Championship, On Thanksgiving Day, 1971, the football Huskers defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in what has been billed as “The Game of the Century.” The game was of special interest, and pride, to the people of McCook because one of the stars of that game was Jeff Kinney, a former quarterback and defensive standout for the McCook Bison, and one of the finest players ever to come out of McCook...

Warren Alfson, of Wisner was a great example of the homegrown athlete that made up some of the great football teams that Nebraska has produced. Though he was certainly a success as a cattle feeder, his chosen profession, he will ever be identified as a member of the Nebraska Rose Bowl team of 1940. ...

... And he came upon the (College football) world, bursting like a comet in a long, very dark night, and the people (Nebraskans) were filled with awe and wonderment. Almost as quickly as he had appeared he was gone. The people were sad, but at the same time were filled with hope and dared dream of better times ahead…...

Recently an old friend visited us here in McCook. Though he has lived in Illinois for many years, he explained that he wanted to bring his grandkids back to Nebraska to introduce them to some of his favorite spots, which included the Capitol in Lincoln, Fort Robinson, Plainview, and most of all, Pioneer Village, which he regards as one of the best museums anywhere. His enthusiasm reminded me of an encounter I once had with the man responsible for Pioneer Village. From Gazette archives...

(Recently we had a distant cousin visit us in McCook. After we got relationships straightened out he and his wife bombarded me with questions about his grandfather — my uncle, whom I was privileged to know very well, from stories my father told about members of the family. ...

Note: Recently I watched one of those high school all-star games, in which the underdogs scored with just seconds left in the game to pull out a victory. Naturally, the players were very excited to win. But what happened next left me with a sick feeling. ...

Recently the McCook Gazette ran an editorial about the number of people who are hit by lightning each year. The writer was pleased to report that there has been a marked decrease in the number of lightning fatalities in the last years, but the experts were at a loss as to why this is so. Maybe we’re just lucky, or people spend less time outdoors during thunder storms, or perhaps something else. Whatever the cause, it is a good thing...

Today, sadly, most of the Cornhuskers who played in the 1941 Rose Bowl game are no longer with us, including Warren Alfson, Wisner and George Abel, Lincoln, about whom this story is based. Though both these men were successes in their chosen professions, they will ever be identified as members of the Nebraska Rose Bowl team of 1940. ...

Note: Recently I had the misfortune to suffer a broken hip. I never realized how helpless a broken limb, like a hip, can make a person. In the past when I heard of someone who suffered this fate I felt sorry for that person, but never realized all that he or she was going through in pain, discomfort, and restrictions of more activities than I ever imagined. ...

Note: Recently, with the price of gold going for over $1,200 per ounce, it seems that there is a new interest in the hording of gold (even for the small investor.) It is true that whenever gold soars to new heights that gold is also discovered new places that were not known for the mining of gold. This is what happened in Southwest Nebraska in the 1930s when a good many (usually sane) folks were bitten by the gold bug...

Ken Martin has been a resident of McCook for a number of years. Now living at Hillcrest, Ken has found an outlet for extra spare time and has turned out a number of interesting monologues (for the family, says Ken). Recently he has put a collection of these writings together, under the title of “A Good Day for Woolgathering on a Summer’s Day”, an unpublished manuscript, which Ken agreed to share with me and my readers. ...

Bob and Fritzi Prest were prominent members of the MccCook business and social scene for many years. Prest Drug was located on McCook’s main intersection at Norris Avenue and C St. Besides the tragedies of lives and property lost in the 1935 Republican River flood, there was the necessity of changing plans, large and small, for everyone living in the flood areas...

Most of us live relatively calm lives, even drab. We do not knowingly risk our lives in everyday pursuits. (We drive the interstate, eat too much, and smoke, all risky endeavors, but that doesn’t count). Policemen, firemen, and military personnel regularly risk their lives in doing their jobs, but they do this in the line of duty. ...

Note: Recently, our grandson, Gabe, completed an unbelievable trip to Washington D.C. and the East Coast with other area 4-H Club members. The young people experienced a great deal in a short time and were happy to share their experience with anyone who cared to listen. ...

Note: In reviewing the stories about the 1935 Republican River Flood in Southwest Nebraska one finds stories of heroism, of ingenuity, of luck, both good and bad, and tragedy-- the loss of property and of human life. Nowhere are all of these elements demonstrated more graphically than in the story of the Chas. Miller Jr. family...

To borrow the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ classic, “The Tale of Two Cities”, 1918 was the best of times---it was the worst of times. On the plus side, 1918 marked the end of World War I, the first of the world-wide wars, which had raged in Europe since 1914. That was good. But, on the minus side, 1918 marked the beginning of the outbreak of a flu epidemic, which by 1920 had become a flu pandemic, circling the globe, and reaching even to the Arctic and remote Pacific Islands...

(Note: Perhaps the most important of the scientific innovations that were spawned by World War I was the development of the airplane. Just 11 years after the Wright Brothers proved to the world that powered flight was not only possible but even practical, most of the countries of the civilized world rushed to develop their own entry into the new air age. In doing so, they unleashed a most new, extremely effective killing machine that changed the nature of war forever.)...

(2017 marks the 100th Anniversary of the American entry into World War I, a war that eventually brought 1.2 million Americans into military service, in France, to aid the Allied Forces in their battle against the Central Powers (mostly Germany). In the coming weeks we will take a look back at that “mostly forgotten” war. Today we take a look at one of the true heroes of WW I, a fellow with ties to Nebraska, General John “Black Jack” Pershing.)...

People don’t give much thought to World War I anymore. In a recent survey on the most important events of the 20th century World War I barely made it into the top 10. This is unfortunate. A case can be made that World War I had a profound effect on almost everything that happened for the rest of the last century — the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, World War II, the Holocaust, the development of the atomic bomb. ...

Note: One of the deadliest dangers to Allied soldiers in World War I was from mustard gas, which was outlawed by all civilized nations as a weapon of war at the Geneva Convention in the 1920s. One victim (though not fatally) of this deadly gas was a fellow with McCook ties.) from Gazette Archives...

Note: 100 years ago, in April 1917, the United States joined England and its Allies in a conflict against the German Army, now known as World War I. This was the first of entire world struggles, “The War to End All Wars”. Unfortunately, this would not be the last of these Worldwide Wars...

McCook’s Teri Shipshock, of the McCook Hospital Foundation and McCook Rotary Club has had a lot of interesting experiences. She has seen a great number of the interesting places, and met many interesting people, with interesting stories. For a number of years she followed her husband, Bruce, a career military men, who was serving. ...

My wife, Jean comes from a family life of long livers — especially the generation of her grandparents. They apparently were blessed with good genes, because most of them were not especially fussy about good health habits. In the early days of our marriage, in the 1950s, I was privileged to get to know these people, on their annual visits to “the farm.”...

Each summer the Great Lakes in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas become the playground for countless numbers of fishermen, boating enthusiasts, and picnickers. This is to say nothing of the primary beneficiaries of the lakes — the area irrigators, and citizens who are protected from the ravages of floods from the region’s rivers and streams. ...

(Note: McCook’s, Jerda Thompson Gary Vickers, Ed.D has recently published an important new book, “Creating Visions, Meeting Challenges”, a historical view of the Republican Valley Conservation Association. In Jerda’s history, she recognizes men who worked to tame the waterways in our part of the country and change the landscape from “The Great American Desert” (which Major Stephen Long called the area), with its recurring devastating floods, to the prosperous agricultural, recreation area that we know. ...

In 2014 Elias Saavedra, of Albuquerque, New Mexico died, at the age of 96. Mr. Saavedra was one of the last surviving Americans who were forced to be part of the infamous Bataan Death March, one of the most horrific events of World War II. In an interview after his father's death Mr. ...

(Note: Recently there was a story on the radio about two women at an upscale auction house who nearly came to blows over who should have a certain scarce teacup that each needed to complete her collection. It reminded me of a time during World War II, at a farm sale, when a similar situation developed.)...

One of the really fine musicians in Southwest Nebraska in the early years of the 20th century was Genevieve Fodrea, of Cambridge. Genevieve was born, in Cambridge, in 1890, the youngest of five children of Nathan and Kate (Parker) Fodrea, in 1890. Nathan had been a pioneer Douglas County school teacher; Kate was from a pioneer family who had come from Ohio to Fort Omaha in a covered wagon...

Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili hardly had the credentials of someone who would become a world leader when he was born in Gori, Georgia ((then a part of the Russian Empire) in 1878. He was the single child of a hardworking laundress. His father was an alcoholic shoemaker, who regularly beat the boy and generally made life hard for Josef and his mother. ...

One of the very early pioneers to Red Willow County Nebraska was Gottlieb Weyeneth, from Neufechatel, Bern Canton, Switzerland, where he was born, in 1848. At that time, in Switzerland, all young men had to fulfill a military obligation to their country. ...

The pioneer men who first came to Southwestern Nebraska and settled McCook in the latter half of the 19th century are heralded in the history of this region -- with good reason. Not so much is said about the wives that came with them or arrived soon after. This is unfortunate. Those brave ladies were certainly heroes, and deserve to be recognized as such in their own right...

During World War II the American people received a healthy dose of propaganda, from the Axis Powers, who were our enemy. We also got a lot of propaganda from our own government, about the Axis Powers, to be sure that we were constantly apprised about our enemy and why we should be fighting against the Powers of Evil. After the war, when the War Crimes trials were held, we found out just how bad the leaders of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperialist Japan really were...

Lately there have been reports that feral cats in the vicinity of Brookdale Retirement Community have become more and more numerous, and some of the residents have become concerned that these cats might soon pose a problem. Thus the following story of a cat problem we had here in McCook in the 1960s. From Gazette archives...

(Recently there was a story on TV about a town in one of the eastern states, that was virtually shut down by a freak, drizzly rain turned ice, which turned streets and sidewalks into sheets of ice. It was like a time, just after WW II, when a similar situation occurred in Lincoln, Neb.)...

(Note: In December 2016 the Kaiser Wilhelm Church Christmarkt has been much in the news because of the terrorist act of driving a truck into the crowd of holiday shoppers and revelers, killing at least 12 persons and injuring dozens of others. This grim report harkened back a time for me -- a much happier time -- when I was privileged to visit the Berlin Christmarkt during Advent, in 1985.)...

Note: Recently, in a discussion about McCook's Christmas Heritage, there were questions about just who was responsible for Santa Claus Lane. Today we'll look at two of those fellows. From Gazette Archives. Carl Orrin of McCook never considered himself a creative artist, or a trailblazer in the field of commercial art, yet he was a fellow who was able to blend art with new technology to produce some stunning artistic displays, greatly appreciated by the people of our area...

Recently, to welcome folks who had come to McCook to attend a statewide meeting of the Nebraska Foundation, McCook merchants opened their doors for "A Night on the Bricks." The plan was to stage an event that would welcome these out of town visitors and at the same time show off our unique downtown...

Everyone has certain moments of days in their life that stand out. Beside those personal days, there are days that were important to the nation, even the world. Many people point out that for them it was the moment they heard that President Kennedy had been shot. For me, it was the afternoon of 7/7/41, 75 years -- three quarters of a century ago. Wow! Amazing!...

Douglas MacArthur was the third son of Arthur MacArthur, Jr., a hero of the Civil War. By the time of World War II, Douglas already had a very distinguished Army career. He had graduated from West Point at the top of hiss class in 1903. He had been nominated for a Medal of Honor during the Mexican War in 1914. ...

For most of a century the name, MacArthur, was almost synonymous with the United States Army. Today we take a look at Arthur MacArthur, the father of Douglas MacArthur, one of the American heroes of World War II. There are certainly strong similarities between the two men. They were the first father and son generals in the US Army. They were both military governors in the far east. They both crossed swords with civilian authorities, with similar results...

Whenever I have a meal at Fuller's Restaurant in downtown McCook, near the Railway Station, I cannot help but think of the man who built that building in 1922 -- Alex Gochis -- a fellow who proved that while all the American heroes of World War II did not wear a uniform, they certainly did contribute to Tom Brokaw's assessment of "The Great Generation. Under the name of "The Olympia" he operated a restaurant, candy, and liquor business there until 1967...

NOTE: Several years ago John Batty, a long-time, and well-liked physician in McCook, sat down to recall some of the events of his life in McCook. Included, were some memories of the early days of the McCook YMCA and McCook College, which in 2016 is celebrating its 90th year as Nebraska's first two-year college...

Each year, when I get my reminder for my contribution to Boys Town, I am reminded of that time, so long ago, when Hollywood came to Nebraska. In the summer of 1938, during the Great Depression, and a very hot dry growing season, the entire state of Nebraska was in a tizzie. ...

(Note: A scapegoat was a goat upon which the Hebrews placed the sins of the people in a biblical ceremony. Then, the goat was driven into the wilderness, to the great relief of the people.) From 1876 to 1945 the Chicago Cubs were probably the most successful baseball franchise in the country. ...

Note: This past week we passed a noteworthy milestone here in McCook, though you will not hear about it on the 6 o'clock news. Mildred Zink, longtime McCook resident passed away, in her 105th year. It was also the first anniversary of the passing of Willis Jones. ...

One of the earliest battlegrounds of World War II, in which US Forces were involved, was the Battle for North Africa, which began in June of 1940. Early on this battle was mainly a continuing fight between the old European Colonial Powers, dating back to the 1800s, who had vast holdings in Africa, mainly the British, and Italy and Germany...

Football has always been a violent game. The American game took after the English game of rugby, in England, and began after our Civil War, in the late 1860s. From its beginning in America, the game tended to be pretty wild. The scrums (scrimmages) were uncontrolled mayhem, the rules of the game were scant, protective equipment for the players was almost non- existent, and fans applauded violent action on the field. ...

Note: In 2016, as McCook College celebrates its 90th year, we have looked at a number of outstanding leaders who have left their mark on our college. Today, we remember Gwen McKensie. Gwendolyn Jorgenson grew up in Sidney, Neb., the privileged daughter of one of Sidney's leading bankers / real estate agents...

Note: For many years McCook High football was not the most popular pastime in the fall. That honor went to McCook JC football, The college had a series of good football coaches, who produced really fine football teams. Their games were wildly popular, to the extent that on a number of occasions extra bleachers were brought into Weiland Stadium to try to accommodate unusually large crowds. Among the best of these MJC coaches was Merle Confer. His best was the MJC Indians team of 1947...

In 2016 McCook Community College celebrates its 90th year, the "Oldest Two Year School in Nebraska." This week we remember one of McCook's more colorful characters, a fellow who was very much a part of the McCook College history. For a good many years, in the Spring, there was an announcement by Knights of Columbus of their Annual Tootsie Roll Drive to aid "The ARC" (Association of Retarded Citizens) and the local SWATS (Southwest Area Training Services) workshop---and mention of tootsie rolls brought our thoughts to E.P. ...

Note: In 2016 McCook College, Nebraska's first two year college, is celebrating its 90th year. We are looking back at some of the important leaders and events that have figured into the success of McCook College over the years. Today, we remember one of those leaders, Dr. Henry Weeth...

The use of dogs in war goes a long way back in time, probably to the moment that man domesticated the dog. Dogs were recognized early on for their acute senses, their intense loyalty, their speed and stamina. In Ancient Greek and Roman times dogs were trained to attack enemies. ...

(Note: One of the best kept secrets in the Nebraska State Parks System is the venerable old Army Remount Station, Fort Robinson, in Northwest Nebraska. This old Army Post, far removed from the population centers of Nebraska cannot be as popular with the vacationing public as the State Parks closer to Lincoln and Omaha, yet it offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the state, the chance to see wild life, and offers the peace and quiet that travelers profess to be looking for when they take a vacation. ...

While in Europe for the Olympics Patton was introduced to the sport of fencing, which he took up with a passion. On return to his duties with the Army in the United States Patton was named "Master of the Sword" in the Army and put in charge of bringing this new sport to the troops. ...

Despite the Republican Party's selection of a sometimes belligerent nominee and Cleveland residents open-carrying assault-type weapons -- or perhaps because they were -- the GOP convention came off relatively smoothly. This week's Democratic Party convention in Philadelphia is shaping up to be entirely different...

When folks make their trek to Alaska they have certain things they want (and expect) to see and do. In the days of long ago, literally thousands were drawn to Alaska by the allure of becoming rich by prospecting for gold. Those days are long gone, and today many travelers are hunters and fishermen, who make their way to Alaska in hope of catching big fish or bagging a trophy mountain goat or bear. ...

My dad grew up in Presho, S. D. He came from a family of bakers and in that family everyone worked at the bakery and I suppose he expected to stay there indefinitely. However, with strong encouragement from my mother, in 1930 he took the step of leaving the family in South Dakota and locating in Plainview, in Northeast Nebraska. This leap of faith had its rewards, but it also was packed with uncertainty, hard work, and disappointments...

(Note: Recently, the City of Cleveland celebrated their first National Championship in any sport in over half a century, when the Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling 7-game series. One fellow, who would have dearly loved to see that championship was my wife's Uncle Hugo Leisy. ...

By 1943, World War II was in full swing. The United States was becoming increasingly stronger, and more savvy in wartime procedures. While we were still fighting the war on two far-flung fronts, against the Axis Powers on land, in Europe, and against the Japanese Empire on the waters of the Pacific, plans were made that the bulk of the Allies' resources would go to the war in Europe, to defeat Hitler; and then concentrate on Japan, which the authorities knew would mean a most difficult invasion of the Japanese mainland.. ...

(Note: Recently we have talked in this column about the dedication that civilians of "The Greatest Generation" made during World War II. We looked at the Trumps and their work in keeping the Plainview Schools functioning. Today, we look at the dedication that people brought to the business of saving lives, during the depression years of the 30s and the difficult years of World War II, using the example of Mildred Zink, of McCook. ...

(Note: This week, as a part of the annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, Ben Nelson will join with Gene Morris in recalling Political Stories in McCook's past. It is always great to have Ben return to McCook, his boyhood home. Today, we recall an event in Ben's life, which had a part in shaping his career. ...

Over the years I have rarely encountered anyone named Trump. Today, of course, one cannot turn on the TV set or open a newspaper or magazine without seeing one or many stories about Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the President of the United States. ...

The War for the Pacific Ocean, during World War II was the largest naval conflict in history. It was fought all across the huge spaces of the Pacific. The U.S. Navy and the Japanese Navy, the two most powerful navies in the world found themselves locked into a mighty death struggle, for control over the world's largest and most vital waterway. ...

Recently, the Nebraska sports world was rocked with the news of the resignation of Connie Yori, from her position as Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Lady Husker basketball team. Yori, after 14 years at the helm, has emerged as the winningest coach in the program's history, with some 280 victories against 166 defeats, for a .628 winning percentage, at Nebraska, 475-306 overall, in 26 seasons of coaching. ...

Probably the high point of Coach Russ Sautter's illustrious career was the winning of the Nebraska High School All-Class football championship, with his 1946 MHS team. Since McCook was near bottom of the Class A schools in enrollment, Russ Sautter was much acclaimed in coaching circles for his ability to pull off such a feat...

(Note: McCook was saddened recently with the news of the passing of Dick Drake, the hard-charging fullback on Russ Sautter's 1946 Class A Nebraska High School Football team, still the only McCook football team to ever win a Class A Championship. Today, we're going to take a look back at that team and the 1946 season. From the Gazette Archives.)...

Note: We are pleased to announce that on Wednesday, April 20th President Theodore Roosevelt, in the person of Joe Wiegand, the full-time impersonator of our 26th President, will appear in McCook at the Biéroc Café for an evening of "Pizza with the President." The event, partially sponsored by McCook College and the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, will begin with "Happy Hour" at 6 p.m., with a meal of variety pizza, salads, drinks and dessert, followed by the performance of Mr. ...

In 2015 my wife, Jean and I were privileged to join family and friends to take part in a cruise, marking the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal. The trip was sponsored by the Medora Foundation and called attention to the close relationship that Theodore Roosevelt had with North Dakota, and his part in making the Panama Canal a reality. ...

On April 18, 1942 Lt. Col. James (Jimmy) Doolittle led an intrepid group of aviators, flying 16 B-25 medium bombers on a daring raid to the heart of the Japanese Empire, providing a badly needed boost to the morale of the American people in the early months of the war, following the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941...

Recently, during a discussion on new businesses in McCook, there were comments about some of the entrepreneurs McCook has been home to over the years. Today we take a look at some of the early businesses in McCook. (In those early years, you might say that everyone who come west to settle this new country was an entrepreneur.) From the McCook Gazette Archives...

One of the treasures at the Museum of the High Plains in downtown McCook is the desk of Nebraska State Sen. Matthew Cheney, donated to the museum by members of the Cheney family. Matthew's son, Luke was a prominent attorney in McCook for many years. Luke had two sons, Wendell and Newel, and the family is still represented in McCook by Newel's daughter, Carol Lashley...

Recently, at the urging of a young friend of mine, who seems to be addicted to the Pool Games on ESPN since football season is over, I watched a Championship Match of 9-Ball, at one of the opulent new pool halls in the Catskills. This experience brought back memories of the Plainview (Homer's) Pool Hall of the 1940s, where I spent considerable time as a teenager...

(Note: It was a sad day recently at the Rotary Club meeting when we got the news that Duane and Diana Tappe would soon be leaving McCook for the eastern part of the state---to be closer to kids and grandkids. While we understand why they are leaving, we are truly sorry to see them go. ...

(Note: One of the rather painful things, which comes with old age, is an erratic sleeping habit that one develops. Sometimes that results in watching TV in the wee hours. Recently, it was very pleasant for me to be on hand for one of the old Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies. This brought back memories of one story I heard while I was "Growing Up in Plain View". )...

After the Battle of Midway, by February, 1945, General McArthur's and Admiral Nimitz's plan of island hopping, to gain control of the Pacific, in route to an invasion of Japan, was proceeding in a positive manner. The methodical capture of the Philippine Islands, the Solomon Islands, the Caroline Islands, the Marianas was working, though the Japanese Army and Navy, fiercely resisted at every little island. ...

In 1941, with the United States gearing up for war, there were a great many young men in uniform at bases, old and new, around the country. There was a general feeling that some means of entertainment for these troops be provided. With that thought as the driving force, on Feb. ...

Over a very long and illustrious career, Tom Osborne has touched, and helped a countless number of lives, for the better -- on the football field, to maximize their athletic skills, but also to be better team players, better husbands and family men. In later years he has helped young men and women with his Teammates Program, to achieve life goals in a positive manner...

At the University of Nebraska, in the years right after World War II, one John Carson, who in those days went by the name of Jack Carson, was definitely a BMOC (Big Man On Campus). A Navy veteran, he didn't throw his weight around, and he wasn't involved in campus politics, but never-the-less was a fellow that everyone recognized, and felt as if they knew him...

With the Power Ball Lottery reaching above the billion dollar mark for the first time ever, there seems to be a great deal of interest in this form of gambling, by an increasingly large number of players. The odds of an individual winning this grand prize have been calculated to be in the range of 1 in 292 million -- very slim indeed...

After the successful American invasion of France at Normandy in June, 1944, the Allied forces, under General Eisenhower, slowly, but steadily advanced against a retreating German foe. It seemed that the war on the Western Front was in the mopping-up stage, and the Allies (mainly US and British forces) would be able to march right on to Berlin...

Like all communities in Nebraska and throughout the U.S., McCook did its part in helping the United States win World War II, in providing its young men and women for service in the Armed Forces, in tightening its collective belt in conserving scarce commodities, and buying its share (and more) of war bonds...

(Note: The following story took place during my two year stint in the Army, '50-52, during the Korean War. It is presented here as a bit of a preview from one of the chapters of a new book, "Oreo Cookie Man," which will be published in the near future.)...

In the early years of McCook's existence, from 1882-1900, almost everyone was an immigrant from someplace back East. Being so far removed from family, friends, and organizations, it was natural to join with others, to get acquainted, and to bring some flavor of their former lives into this new country. ...

Jerry Solomon, of Lincoln -- formerly of Culbertson, is a fellow who loves basketball. He has been a regular at the Cornhusker basketball games for many years, thrilling at the victories (all too few), and agonizing at the more frequent defeats. Jerry Solomon grew up on a dairy farm one mile west of Culbertson in the '30s and '40s. ...

Over the years, when there is discussion of a favorite long-time resident, Blind Sam, there is always the question, "I wonder whatever happened to Blind Sam's violin?" Now, thanks to a nice lady from Cokato, Minnesota, Jean Lanska, we have the answer to that question...

The generation of World War II has been called "The Greatest Generation." This usually refers to the women and men (mostly men) who fought for our country in that war. We said goodbye only a month ago to a man who exemplified that quality of American men (though he would have been the first to refute that claim.) McCook's Willis Jones was a pilot in the Air Force and a Prisoner of War in World War II, and in the years since that conflict served as an inspiration to his family, as well as to countless young men in our area who were fortunate to have known him.. ...

In those early days of its existence, McCook must have been a very lonely place -- especially for the wives. There were no organizations for fraternization, and even church was something that the very early settlers had to forego. No radio; no TV; even mail service was sporadic, so communication with the outside world (back East) was infrequent, but those letters were something that all of the McCook's new citizens eagerly looked forward to...

McCook has always had an interest in good music. This interest is alive and well today in our fine high school band, the community concert series, fine church choirs, the "Live at the Bieroc" music series, as well as other musical events at the Fox, the auditorium, the lake, and other venues around town. The spring musical, brought to us by the community theater group, is a popular event and well attended...

In the United States some of the most popular tours for Travel Companies are the New England "Fall Foliage" Tours. We have taken a tour of New England in the fall, and to be sure it is a spectacular show. They have so many hard wood trees in the northeast, and that blaze of reds and orange is a sight to behold. ...

The very early settlers to McCook, in 1882, started immediately to make their settlement into a community which would welcome women and families. This meant the formation of churches, the sure sign of social refinement on the frontier. The pioneer church in McCook was the Congregational Church. In 1882, a group of 16 settlers organized the first Congregational Church...

(Note: Recently we brought you a story about Wm. Valentine, one of McCook's early (and great) Superintendents. Today we bring to you the story of one of the early graduates of MHS, during Mr. Valentine's tenure, and a fellow who credited Mr. Valentine for steering him on the path of success.)...

(This week, on Friday. we will again honor McCook's most famous son, with the George Norris Breakfast at McCook's Senior Center. This breakfast is always a key part of the annual Heritage Days Celebration. This year we are extremely fortunate to have McCook native, Chuck Peek as our featured speaker. ...

McCook's birth as a genuine community occurred in mid-Summer of 1882. One of the first items on the city's agenda was the formation of a school, which opened on September 1, 1882. This first school, a modest beginning, was held in the dining room of the old Commercial Hotel, with Mrs. Alma Churchill as the teacher. Two of the first pupils were the future Mrs. F.M. Kimmel (editor of the McCook Tribune), and the future Mrs. Edna Meserve Magee...

(Note: In August, 2015, we were pleased to help honor a spunky, special McCook lady, Mildred Zink, on the occasion of her 104th birthday. In these past 100 plus years Mrs. Zink has seen a good many changes, in McCook, our nation, and the practice of medicine, the field in which Mildred devoted her life. ...

By the Spring of 1945 the American people were tired. For three and a half years, my entire high school career, the War ground on and on. Little hopes from overseas battles were followed by long periods of disappointment. Rationing of food, gas, and tires conserved products, but it also made people edgy. ...

Note: In a recent story of McCook's early lawyers it was mentioned that W.S. Morlan had mentored a number of outstanding attorneys who rose to prominence in McCook. One of these fellows was Charles David Ritchie, who in turn mentored another distinguished McCook attorney, Wade Stevens. This story covers a celebrated case in Furnas County, on which those two collaborated...

Recently the Optimist Club of McCook announced a drive for folks to turn in their old musical instruments to the McCook High School music department for the use of budding young musicians at St. Pat's School and McCook High school. What a great idea. ...

Webster S. (always referred to as W.S.) Morlan was one of McCook's very early attorneys -- and a very successful one at that. He was born in 1848 in Crawford County, Ohio, and came to Nebraska with his family after the Civil War. As a youth, Morlan worked on building grades for the railroad, which was gradually pushing west across Nebraska. ...

One of McCook's very early physicians was Dr. Zachius L. Kay, from Kentucky, who graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1876. After graduation he practiced medicine for a short time in Illinois. Of interest to McCook is the fact that while in Illinois, the first baby that Dr. Kay delivered (of more than 3000 in his career) was George McClain, who later became a long-time Sheriff of Red Willow County, Neb...

One of the early doctors to McCook, though certainly not the first, was Dr. Bryan Bennett Davis, who came in 1885. Dr. Davis was a rare individual, of exceptional talent as a physician, as well as a gifted organizer, both for McCook and the Medical Community of the area. ...

In the 1880s, there were no native sons in McCook. All of the early leaders in McCook were transplants from somewhere else, drawn to McCook by the possibilities and the excitement of being in on the ground floor of the railroad's newest little Boom Town...

(Note: In a recent column we talked about some of the early money men in McCook and the success that they had in the banks they started. One of the most interesting of these men was Frank Spearman, a fellow who had a great deal of success, but not necessarily in the bank he started.)...

(Note: In 2015, a replica of one of the famous Higgins boats was manufactured and sent to France, as part of a Higgins Boat Memorial, a gift to the people of France by the people of Columbus, NE in time for the annual D-Day memorial celebration at Utah Beach. ...

Note: Over the weekend we received word of the passing of a great friend of McCook, Flora Lundberg. Flora loved McCook, and for many years was McCook's #1 booster, working tirelessly as Mayor, and for a number of McCook organizations. This week it seems appropriate to look back at one of Flora's favorite organizations, and one in which she was instrumental in bringing into existence. ...

Note: Memorial Day 2015 marks the 80th Anniversary of one of Nebraska's greatest tragedies, the 1935 Flood of the Republican River. In reviewing the stories about the 1935 Republican River Flood in Southwest Nebraska one finds stories of heroism, of ingenuity, of luck, both good and bad, and tragedy -- the loss of property and of human life. ...

Initially, when McCook got its start in 1882, The Lincoln Land Co., the Real Estate arm of the Burlington Railroad, pretty much handled the financing for its new community. However, it wasn't long before a new source of money was needed by McCook's new citizens---money for building things, like business locations, houses, and city services. ...

In 1883, barely one year after McCook became a town, the new little city could boast of five hotels, some free standing and some occupying the upper story of downtown business buildings. Five hotels, for a town of its size -- a great number, but all the hotels were busy. ...

Today, when it seems we have days to honor all sorts of individuals, and events in our nation's history, it seems appropriate that here in Nebraska we should take a moment to remember a fellow who was born in this month, just 100 years ago. Although he did not invent the game of football, or even introduce it to the University of Nebraska, a case can be made for him as the man who ushered in this second great era of Cornhusker football...

One of the first needs of the settlers to our area was the establishment of a post office. In the Republican Valley these post offices were laid out following the route of the railroad. By 1881 Postal authorities reported that there were 59 post offices in Southwest Nebraska! (Fairview, which became McCook, was one of these). Each of these post office locations had the aspiration of becoming the hub town of Southwestern Nebraska. Most of these post office sites no longer exist...

By the end of April, 1945, World War II (in Europe) was coming to an end. Over 1.5 million Nazi German soldiers had been taken prisoner by the Allies on the Western Front and 800,000 Nazi German soldiers had been taken prisoner by the Russians, on the Eastern front. ...

(Honoring TR and the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal, recently we were privileged to join a Cruise through the Panama Canal, sponsored by the Medora, N.D. Foundation.) For many centuries man looked upon the Isthmus of Panama as an ideal place to create a water-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean...

Note: Marking the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal, we are taking a look back at Theodore Roosevelt, the man, his times, and his part in making the Panama Canal a reality. Theodore Roosevelt had come to North Dakota determined to spend the rest of his life in seclusion, at least as far as the East and its politics were concerned. ...

(Note: To mark the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal, we would like to take another look at Teddy Roosevelt's life, his time in the West, in Cuba, the Presidency, and The Panama Canal.) North Dakota is not exactly the spot that people immediately think of as a tourist destination, either winter or summer. ...

(Note: Recently I was privileged to take part in a cruise, marking the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal. The trip was sponsored by the Medora Foundation, and called attention to the close relationship that Theodore Roosevelt had with North Dakota, and his part in making the Panama Canal a reality. We would like to take another look at Teddy Roosevelt, his life, his time on the West, his experience in Cuba, the Presidency, and The Panama Canal.)...

Over many years in the bakery, we got to know a great number of tradesmen, the people who supplied us with the raw ingredients needed to make our product. Seeing these fellows regularly was something we looked forward to, and a number of them became good friends. One such was Frank Buk, from Herndon, Kansas, who supplied us with fresh eggs...

We have looked at how McCook got first water service to its citizens. But producing water is just one half of what it takes to make a Waterworks. It also takes a sewage system to make the system work. In 1882, before backhoes, and other mechanized digging machines, the work of creating ditches for water and sewer lines was all done by hand -- difficult, back breaking, hard work. ...

In 1881 McCook (Fairview) consisted of a couple of sod structures on the south side of the Republican River. A year later, thanks to the coming of the Railroad, and its Real Estate arm, The Lincoln Land Company, the new town of McCook grew up entirely on the north side of the river. ...

(Note: This week we were mightily pleased with the news that our friend, and Gazette Colleague, Dick Trail, had been inducted into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, an honor this intrepid airman richly deserves. In the article, among the honors that Dick has received, there was a mere mention of the Mackay Trophy Award, which Dick had been awarded. ...

By 1892, the labor troubles, which culminated in the major strike of 1888, between the Engineers and Firemen and the Burlington Railroad had been settled and in a spirit of cooperation the business of "Father Burlington" and his "Child, McCook," continued to grow and prosper. ...

Note: Much of the following story of the McCook/Railroad connection comes from a paper delivered by long-time railroad man, H.E. (Harry) Culbertson, presented before the Southwestern Nebraska Historical Society, along with information from McCook Historian, John Cordeal, and Marion McClelland, in her book, "Early History of McCook."...

In 1882, McCook came into being, thanks largely to the coming of the Burlington Railroad. This also signaled the beginning of the animosity between Indianola, the Republican Valley Metropolis of the day, and McCook, the upstart community, with aspirations of greatness...

During the first years of McCook's existence as a town, it was primarily a "cow-town." Ranchers far outnumbered farmers, and the cattlemen exerted a great deal of pressure, on the settler-farmer, and on the little city of McCook. Cattlemen seldom saw their cattle. Twice a year, there were roundups -- in the spring, for branding, and in the fall, when cattle were sorted out, by the brands of the various owners, and became available for sale...

In late 2014 one topic that seems to be very important to our leaders in Washington is the new stance we have taken with the Raul Castro government in Cuba. After some 61 years of very poor relations with the Cuban government there are now real overtures to reach for better, more normal ties between the United States and Cuba. ...

I was drafted into the Army in 1950, about five months into the Korean War. Eventually I was sent to Korea and was assigned to a bread making company in the Quartermaster Corps. The Chinese had entered the war by the time I got there and we were kept pretty busy making bread for the 8th Army and the Marines who fought above the 38th Parallel. ...

To anyone who was around in 1941 the name of Pearl Harbor brings forth indelible images in the mind, the same as does the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1962. People remember just where they were when they first heard the news that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, to jump start World War II. ...

Note: At Thanksgiving, that time when we count our blessings with gratitude and memories, I have chosen to reflect on a couple of events in my life that occurred about this time of year. The first was the fire in our home, which happened six years ago. The second happened more than 60 years ago---in Korea. (From the Gazette archives.)...

In the months following D-Day, July 6, 1944, the surprise, very successful invasion of Normandy during World War II, Allied troops were able to liberate Western France and allied forces, mostly US troops, began to move east. Advances toward Germany were moving more quickly than had been anticipated. The end of the War in Europe seemed in sight. However, somehow that news had not been conveyed to Mr. Hitler, for he still had one more trick to play...

(Note: Nebraska has a wealth of folks who have become famous on the American scene, in virtually all walks of life, including the silver screen. Today we'd like to take a look at one with ties to Plainview, Neb.) Gazette Archives.) Fred Astaire, that symbol of elegance and grace, with his top hat, white tie and tails, can often be seen dancing with his favorite dancing partner, Ginger Rogers on the Old Movie Channels yet today. ...

Recently, in the process of cleaning out a corner of the basement, my wife, Jean, came across a beautiful, off-white, antique cup, with the name of her great grandfather, K.F.A Breetzke (Karl Fredrick August Breetzke), carefully hand painted in gold lettering on the side. ...

(Note: Recently, the picture in this story was sent to us by one of Joe Urhich's daughters, prompting a look back at one of McCook's long cherished businesses, and one of the fellows who did his part in making McCook such a special place to live.) from Gazette Archives...

Walter Camp, who was often called the Father of American Football, was born in Connecticut, shortly before the start of the Civil War, in 1859, to a rather well-to-do family. As a youth he attended the prestigious Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven and then moved on to Yale College in 1876. ...

(Note: As Heritage Days approached last week I had occasion to visit with a newcomer to McCook. He asked me about the Heritage Days Norris Breakfast. This led to the question, "Just who was this Norris fellow. I see his name all over town." As a more complete answer to his question I have turned to the Gazette Archives and brought back this column on McCook's George Norris.)...

(Note: In recent weeks we have looked at a number of people and events connected with World War I, which began 100 years ago this summer. One more story seems appropriate -- the still controversial story of Mata Hari, who figured in the highest echelons of diplomatic circles during World War I.)...

(Note: Much Aviation history was made during World War I, which began just 100 years ago this summer. But not all of that history was made in France. As a direct result of his experience as a World War I fighter pilot Wade Stevens, long-time McCook Attorney, and his friend Dr. Frank Brewster made a bit of aviation history of their own right here in Southwest Nebraska.)...

People don't give much thought to World War I anymore. In a recent survey on the most important events of the 20th century World War I barely made it into the top 10. This is unfortunate. A case can be made that World War I had a profound effect on almost everything that happened for the rest of the last century -- the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, World War II, the Holocaust, the development of the atomic bomb. ...

(July 2014 marks the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of World War I, a war that eventually brought 1.2 million Americans into military service, in France, to aid the Allied Forces in their battle against the Central Powers (mostly Germany). In the coming weeks we will take a look back at that "mostly forgotten" war. Today we take a look at one of the true heroes of World War I, a fellow with ties to Nebraska, General John "Black Jack" Pershing.)...

(Note: 100 years ago, on July 18, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Army fired the first shots of what became World War I, in preparation for the invasion of Serbia. These shots set off a global war, involving almost all of the world's leading nations -- it was called "The War to End All Wars" -- one of the bloodiest wars in world history.)...

Through a rare set of circumstances I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Berlin. It was after World War II had ended, but during the time when there was still a wall between East Germany and West Germany. This was a time of peace and booming prosperity in West Berlin, and a time of peace, but not prosperity in East Berlin. ...

In January 1958, McCook, along with the rest of Nebraska, was caught up in a near panic situation. Word had come out of Lincoln that one Charles Starkweather had killed multiple victims in cold blood (the number eventually reached 11). He had left Lincoln and headed west in a stolen car, and every community, with many unfounded reports of seeing the fleeing car, was convinced that the killer, Starkweather was either in, or headed toward their town...

(Note: June 2014 marks the 25th Anniversary of what is usually referred to as the Tianenmen Massacre, one of the black periods of the Chairman Mao's cultural revolution in China. As fate would have it, McCook's Ben Nelson was an observer of this event. It was a significant moment in Nelson's life, and was one of the factors that spurred his interest in politics, first as Governor of Nebraska, then U.S. Senator. From the archives.)...

This week, on the 6th of June, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of D Day, the invasion of occupied France, on the beaches of Normandy by the Allies in World War II. This invasion, which Hitler had boasted could never happen, signaled the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. ...

(Note: On Memorial Day we rightly honor our men and women who died while serving our country in past wars. At this time it is interesting to think about those men from the McCook Army Air Base who served during World War II. Today, we revisit a story that first appeared in the Gazette in 2003. Al passed away in 2009)...

Like most Nebraska sports fans, I have been generally pleased with the Huskers aligning themselves with the Big 10 Athletic Conference. Yet, I'm sure that I am not alone in missing the "Love/Hate" relationships that we enjoyed with the schools of the old Big 8 Conference, especially the University of Oklahoma -- relationships that stemmed back to the old Missouri Valley Conference, which began in 1907 -- then to the Big 6, Big 7 and finally the Big 8. ...

(Note: After the St. Catherine's Apartments in the 1200 Block off West 5th Street were closed a couple of years ago there has been considerable speculation as to the fate of the old St. Catherine's Hospital. Now, thankfully, there is new interest, and hope for that property again. This is a second look back at the history of St. Catherine's.)...

May 5 may be Cinco de Mayo, but for residents of certain areas in east central Nebraska, today's the 50th anniversary of the one of the worst tornadoes Nebraska has ever experienced. The last F5, measured by the old Fujita Scale, tornado reported in the state killed two people on a farm about three miles northwest of Bradshaw, injured 20 near Harvard and hurt others near Hastings and rural areas. More than 40 farmsteads were damaged and over 100 head of livestock were killed...

This year the McCook Rotary Club s once again hosting a District Conference, at which we will honor yet another District Governor, Duane Tappe. Our club can be justly proud that we have been represented by a fellow like Duane, who lives the Rotary Four Way Test, and practices the Rotary mottoes, "he Profits Most Who Serves Best," and "Service Above Self."...

Note: Harry Culbertson, a long-time railroad man in the early days of the last century wrote extensively about the railroad coming west in the 1880s and '90s and its effect on the development of McCook. Much of the material about the railroad in those early days in Marion McClelland's Master's Thesis book, "Early History of McCook, Nebraska" is taken from Mr. Culbertson's early works...

Sometime, back in January our son, Matt, sent me some information, with the note, "This looks like something you should take part in." What Matt had sent was information and an application for a One Day Trip to Washington for Veterans of the Korean War, to give some 460 Korean Vets a chance to see the War Memorials, which had been created in recent years in the area around our Nation's Capitol -- the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Iwo Jima (Marines) Memorial, and of course the Korean War Memorial, as well as the Lincoln Memorial and some of the other older Washington attractions. ...

On March 1, 1867, 147 years ago, Nebraska became the 37th state in the Union. Becoming of a new state was the culmination of a number of initiatives, most very controversial, stemming back to the Missouri Compromise in 1820. That Compromise, allowing statehood to Missouri, decreed that slavery would be outlawed in all territories north of Parallel 30 degrees 30 minutes North, except the area within the proposed state of Missouri, which had been a slave holding area since the early days of the French explorers. ...

Note: In a recent story about the Lords of Indianola, there was mention of the long-defunct Indianola Mining Company. This story appeared some time ago in the Gazette, but it seemed like a good idea to take another look at that bit of Southwest Nebraska history. -- W.S...