New generation of leaders welcomes in New Year's

It was a perfect storm New Year's Eve, in a good way.

McCook's first First Night, Nebraska's only First Night Celebration, was an unqualified success.

Congratulations to Sue Shaner of the McCook Economic Development Corp. and the McCook Young Leaders who spearheaded the event welcoming in the new year.

We've rarely seen downtown McCook so busy. From the McCook Art Guild's mask-decorating tables, to the Biéroc Cafe, to the High Plains Museum, Fox Theatre and Memorial United Methodist Church and businesses up and down Norris Avenue, music and laughter was the order of the night.

The weather was appropriately brisk, but thank goodness we didn't have the blizzard-like conditions of a week earlier. Only a youth dance, relegated to a breezy, open city parking lot, proved to have disappointing participation. A more sheltered location might have improved the turnout.

But there was no attendance problem at the art gallery, where it was standing-room only as promenade participants competed to make the best mask, to the sold-out Sam Adams comedy show at the Biéroc, to caricature creations at Brown's Shoe Fit, to alternative rock at Longnecker's Jewelry, the High Plains Model Railroaders display, the jugglers and rockers -- not to mention the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Fox, to the classical music at the church and the YMCA's walk-run up and down Norris Avenue, no better way could have been found to welcome in the new year.

It was great to see a new generation of McCook residents get involved with a community celebration, and heartening to see the widespread support the event received.

When the LED-lighted ball was dropped, and the fireworks went off, we were all happy to have been part of it.