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Heritage Days honorees credit community for achievements
McCOOK, Neb. — The 2017 Heritage Days Parade Marshals will be John and Judy Anderson. When they are not leading the Heritage Days Parade, you can find this couple throughout the community, volunteering with various organizations, including helping to plan the Heritage Days events. “She sits on the Heritage Day committee at the Chamber of Commerce,” said Chamber Executive Director Jamie Mockry, “and yes, I think we have kept it a secret from them.”
Judging from Judy’s tearful response to the award, it is a safe bet he was right. Mockry made the announcement of the 2017 Heritage Days Royalty at the McCook National Bank Chamber mixer Wednesday, where the bank also celebrated their 110th anniversary of service to the community.
John and Judy Anderson volunteer at The Bargain Bazaar where they sort and stock merchandise; Meals on Wheels where they help deliver meals on an almost daily basis; and McCook Pantry where they help get surplus food from grocery stores to the pantry. Both John and Judy are talented artists, and they are active in the McCook Art Guild where they have helped to renovate the McCook Art Center building on Norris Avenue and helped to bring art shows to the community. They are also involved in the Thinkery of Southwest Nebraska, a group that is planning to bring a children’s museum to McCook. He is a Knights of Columbus fish fry cooker during Lent. They are both always there for cleanup, construction projects, or just for their advice.
In an eloquent speech, Mary Lou Drake accepted the title of 2017 Heritage Days Honor Family on behalf of her family.
“My husband Richard ‘Dick’ died 18 months ago. He was so very proud of his family, sometimes too proud and boastful, but he would be very pleased that you picked us to honor tonight. Coincidentally, today was his birthday, so our thoughts have been with him, especially today. Dick and I felt we had a perfect childhood, growing up in McCook. Sometimes we called it the Beaver Cleaver town. We made a conscience decision that McCook was where we wanted to raise our family. As all parents do, we had dreams for our children. The dreams we had were that we wanted our children, first of all, to be well-educated. We wanted them to know that hard work was an essential ingredient in achievement. And we wanted them to be responsible individuals. Productive individuals. And also, caring and thoughtful individuals. All of these dreams we had for our children, I would say, have come true, and McCook provided the backdrop and the environment to make all of that happen, so thank you McCook, thank you very, very much.”
Mr. and Mrs. Drake both graduated from McCook High School and McCook Community College, as did each of their seven children. Richard was a member of the 1947 McCook High School state championship track team and the 1946 state championship football team.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Richard served as an Electronics and Advanced Radar Instructor in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. After his service, he returned to McCook to join his father in business.
He served on the McCook City Council from 1967 to 1971, acting as mayor from 1968 to 1971. The McCook Library and the McCook Airport terminal building were constructed during his tenure on the city council.
He was the first manager of Electric Hose and Rubber Company, which is now Parker, and oversaw the building of the plant. Later in his career, he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad and he farmed.
Mary Lou was a member of the McCook Community College Debate Team that finished second at the Grand National Forensic Tournament. She is a graduate of Kearney State College. She taught school in McCook and was active in numerous volunteer activities, including serving on the McCook Community College Foundation.
She was a top-producing realtor at Better Homes and Gardens. In 1987, she was honored with the Women as Agents of Change Award from the American Association of University Women.
Their family includes seven children, all of whom attended McCook High School, McCook Community College, and graduated from University of Nebraska. Their children include, Cathy Drake, MD (1972 McCook High School graduate); Carol Drake, MD (1973 MHS); Cindy Drake, DDS (1974 MHS); Christy Drake, JD (1976 MHS); James Drake (1979 MHS); Casey Drake, MD (1986 MHS); and Mary Kay Drake, MD (1991 MHS). In addition, they have 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
The Grand Marshal is Harrison Ford, a 2005 McCook High School graduate. Harrison began his political career by working on U.S. Senator Ben Nelson’s re-election campaign in 2006. In the summer of 2007, he completed a summer internship in Washington, DC with Senator Nelson’s office. In 2008, he was recruited by the Obama campaign to work in Nebraska on the presidential campaign.
Following the election of President Obama, Harrison was selected among 8,000 applicants to be a member of President Obama’s inaugural internship class in the summer of 2009. At the completion of the internship, he accepted a full-time job in the White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence.
He worked in the White House from 2009 to 2016, where he held seven different official titles and received four promotions. He worked for two different offices, the Office of Presidential Correspondence and the Office of the Chief of Staff, and obtained a top-secret security clearance.
While in his role as Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, his office was located in the West Wing of the White House, just 22 short steps from the Oval Office.
In 2016, Harrison moved to California where he is currently the Community Manager for a one-of-a-kind co-working office space in San Francisco. It is the home to tech startups, architecture firms, photographers, female entrepreneurs, and more.
Harrison told those gathered, “It’s nothing short of an honor to receive the grand marshal title and to ultimately join the amazing list of people who have been Heritage Days delegates over the past 40 years. … I’ve done a lot of cool stuff, and this is right at the top. I am the person I am today because of this community, but I also am the person I am today because of my parents. I couldn’t have done it without their support, so thank you to Mike and Laura for everything that you’ve done for me. .. McCook will always be home, no matter where I end up in this world, and I’m happy that that is the case. “
The 2017 Heritage Days Queen is Kathlyn, Hauxwell, daughter of Bryan and Ami Hauxwell. Kathlyn is the McCook Future Farmers of America President, active in National Honor Society, Speech, Quiz Bowl, Band, Future Business Leaders of America, and Art Club. She has been active in 4-H, and was Beef Premier Exhibitor at Nebraska State Fair and Senior Elite Showman at Red Willow County Fair and Nebraska State Fair.
The 2017 Heritage Days Prince is Justin Barenberg, son of David and Joann Barenberg. Justin is active in National Honor Society, Math Club, McCook Bison Football, Legion Baseball, and is a varsity letterman and All Academic-All Athletic Honors recipient. He has maintained 4.0 GPA all four years at McCook High School and is in the High Ability Learning Program.
Shelby Stevens is the daughter of Jesse and Stephanie Stevens. Shelby is active in National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Select Choir member, Elementary Mentor, Choir President, Cross Country, Choir Teacher’s Assistant, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Galaxy of Stars Songwriting Competition and Talent Search.