'Not much' happened this past year simply not true

As the end of the year approaches, it is customary to reflect back on what happened over the past 12 months. And just like the easy answer to “What is there to do here? Not much”...the easy answer to “What happened here last year? Not much.”

In reality, the opposite is true. There is so much going on in McCook and Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas that it can be overwhelming but in a good way.

I have the privilege of working for the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which literally has the words “McCook” and “Community” in its name. Take a look at the logo and the design includes those two words above with Foundation and Fund below with the tittle from the “i” in foundation below serving as a period. (Yes, I had to look up what the mark above an I and J was called ... a tittle.) Ultimately, MCFF is here for McCook and the Community - period.

As I was putting together the annual report over the past month, I scanned through 100s of pictures, re-read dozens of news articles and perused 52 “Community Connection Columns.”

The pictures and words all served as reminders of everything that was accomplished in just the past 12 months through collaboration and connections, through donations of time and finances, and through grit and determination.

Perhaps the most visible demonstration of accomplishment was the McCook Mural, completed on the building on West First and C Street. Half a block long, the mural served several purposes.

The mural tells the history of the community and reflects those who live here now. The mural recognized the talents of professional regional and local artists, who led the effort and included one hundred community members who became artists in the process by painting on the wall. And the mural showed the community what is possible when you dream big and you have a good plan. And yes, there are more murals in the works for 2024.

McCook hosted visitors throughout the year, who wanted to see how and why we got things done. A Canadian group focused on economic development through tourism was amazed that we just rolled up our sleeves and got things done rather than waiting for the government or any other outsider to come in and do it for us. Instead, we are working to create a community that we can be proud of and that we want to call home.

A great example of getting it done was Beautify McCook, a group of volunteers who decided they wanted to bring color and light to the community. So they worked to install flowering planters on the corners of downtown McCook, with other volunteers watering the plants on a daily basis. And more holiday lights were installed in Norris Park and downtown with more planned in the upcoming year.

Another group who took matters into their own hands are the local pickleball enthusiasts. While appreciative of the outdoor courts built several years ago, the expansion of the sport necessitated more and improved courts. So in just a few short months, the group raised the funds and worked with the City of McCook to make the project happen. And even though we are in the midst of winter, if the weather is the least bit hospitable, the courts have players using them.

Other highlights from the past year include the Big Give, which in its 8th year became Southwest Nebraska Big Give to recognize that we are stronger by working together, and again reached record levels of donations. Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity finished its 10th house, helping another family move into a home of their own.

All this and more is made possible because of the generous members of our community, who give of their time, their money, their skills. And that continued generosity is what is going to make even bigger things possible in 2024.

The new McCook swimming pool will hopefully open in early summer. Big plans are on the horizon for the YMCA and the McCook schools. And with McCook’s designation as a Creative Arts District, new events, projects and even renovations of downtown are possible.

So what happened in 2023? More than I can fit in this column but so much that we can be thankful for and appreciative of because of our community. And what is going to happen in 2024? The possibilities are endless but I am excited to see what happens and look forward to seeing what we can all do together to make McCook and Southwest Nebraska an even better place to call home next year.