Stories from Friday, October 22, 2021

KEARNEY, Neb. — Though she was surely aiming for more, McCook junior Samantha Rodewald earned a strong No. 8 overall at the Class B state cross country championship meet Friday. Rodewald finished the Kearney Country Club course in 20:22.3 on a warm, sunny 75-degree afternoon...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Benkelman became a turnover factory Thursday night with treats that Dundy County-Stratton fans had to love. There were tasty fumbles, tipped passes and option pitches picked off in mid-air along with even a “pick six” or two. In other words, playoff temperatures may have been warmer than usual.....

MINDEN, Neb. — The McCook Bison rallied from an opening loss to sweep Ainsworth and Valentine while earning a top five finish at Friday's Southwest Conference volleyball tournament. Seeded sixth among eight teams, McCook fell 25-16 and 25-18 to No. 3-seed Ogallala (24-10 record)...

McCOOK, Neb. – Making McCook shine is the goal of a newly formed committee called Light Up McCook. The group, which includes Linda Taylor, Denise Garey, Ronda Graff, Sue Doak, Cyndi Huff, Brandi McConnell, Peggy Bean, and Linda Graff, would like to see McCook, particularly Norris Avenue, be totally decked out for the upcoming holiday season...

Garry Dale Unger May 11,1963 - Oct. 16, 2021 ORANGE, Calif. — Garry Dale Unger was born May 11, 1963, in McCook, Neb., to Melvin and Glenva (Eland) Unger and baptized at Peace Lutheran Church, June 9, 1963. Garry went home to be with his Lord on Oct. 16, 2021...

Merita Fern Larson Oct. 9, 1927 - Oct. 20, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Merita Fern Larson, age 94, of McCook, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte, Neb. Merita was born Oct. 9, 1927, in Hamlet, Neb., to Edward M. and Ethel (Stratton) Holmes, the youngest of three siblings. She attended school in Wauneta, Neb., and graduated from high school in 1945...

I have the best back-up crew in the people that read my column! Two weeks ago, I posed the question concerning the McCook Country Club that in the 1931 City Directory was said to be located in NE McCook. I just couldn’t place where that might have been, but a call from Marilyn Anderjaska solved that mystery immediately...

80th birthday The family of Carla Quinn of McCook is celebrating her 80th birthday on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. She was born in Oxford, Neb. Her family includes husband, Dick Quinn; sons, Greg Quinn and Gary Quinn of McCook; daughter, Gina and husband Kraig Dorwart of Lincoln, Neb.; grandchildren,Sasha Dorwart, Siera Dorwart, Max Quinn and Erica Quinn; and great-grandchildren, Millani, Masen, Marcello, Trey, Christian and Alexandria. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — What may be the largest collection in Nebraska of outsider art is now on display in McCook at a new art space. But don’t expect the hushed conversations and pristine white walls of a typical art gallery. Instead, Chad Graff and his wife, Joann Falkenburg, want the top floor of the historic Keystone Business Center to also be used as an art workspace and networking hub for the McCook community...

McCOOK, Neb. — More than 30 nonprofit organizations are eagerly anticipating the 2021 Big Give McCook on Nov. 4, several of them new to the one-day giving event. Since beginning in 2016 with just over a dozen organizations participating, Big Give McCook has consistently grown year after year. New organizations this year include High Plains Historical Society, Little Village Daycare and the Southwest Nebraska Freedom Festival...

Except for “essential service” workers, most of us hunkered down and stayed home last year when that was the best option for avoiding the COVID-19 virus, for which, as yet, there was no vaccine. We worked from home, wore masks and stayed away from crowds because that was the best option available...

CURTIS, Neb. – Agricultural advocacy and industry influence will be among topics discussed in Curtis on Monday (Oct. 25) at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. “We Must Stand United” is the theme for the 6 p.m. free public forum by Trent Loos, a Nebraska ag producer who represents the Protect the Harvest organization...

McCOOK, Neb. — The American Red Cross plans a two-day blood drive next week at the Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. It will be 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. Contact Cathy Carman at 308.345.4473 to set up an appointment or call 800.733-2767, visit redcrossblood.org or download the blood donor alpp...

KENESAW, Neb. — The Kenesaw Blue Devils showed why they’re a strong 9-0 during their 56-0 Class D-2 state playoff win over Medicine Valley Thursday. Quarterback Tyson Denkert threw three touchdown passes and ran for three TDs in a 43-0 first half. Meanwhile, the Blue Devil defense held Med Valley’s attack down all season...

TRENTON, Neb. — What a way to punctuate the first football state playoff win as Hitchcock County Falcons. The Falcons unleashed a 40-0 first half and went on to blank West Holt, 72-0, Thursday night at Trenton. It was the largest playoff win among all eight-man playoff teams Thursday while spoiling West Holt’s long journey from near Atkinson...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — An anticipated great rematch played beyond expectations between familiar area football foes Thursday night. Seniors Tristian White and Wyatt Jenkins are literally a 1-2 punch when looking at their Arapahoe jersey. On Thursday, they teamed to rush for 465 yards and eight touchdowns during this Class D-1 state playoff game...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Ed Thomas YMCA of McCook would like to invite your business the opportunity to sponsor our Youth Sports Program in 2022. As you know, the mission of the YMCA of McCook is to organize human, financial and material resources to encourage the spiritual, physical, mental, and leadership growth of any individual within a Christian atmosphere...