Fund-raising for a new YMCA in 1980

The early 1970s in McCook found the people raising money for a new hospital. I remember that fundraiser because those people taking pledges didn’t care if you pledged $25 or $25,000, each individual pledge was important to them, and it may well have created the most diverse group of donators for any project in McCook. Today, with many additions and a total remodel job, McCook Community Hospital continues serving the population of SW Nebraska. What would we do without a hospital in our community?

When I pulled out a Jan. 15, 1980 issue of the McCook Daily Gazette (Price 15 Cents) low and behold but another great friend of my parents, Irene Traphagan, was featured on the front page pointing to a sign posted on the old YMCA building noting that there were “No Hot Showers.” Why was that important? Simply, McCook was raising money to build a new YMCA and they were only a scant $212,000 away from reaching their goal million-dollar goal! Naturally, the money was raised, and Irene went on to lead pool exercise classes which if memory serves me were to help keep our young senior citizens active and reduce the effects of arthritis. My mom participated in those classes.

Point being, a million dollars in 1980 money (1980-2021) is equivalent to $3.2 million today or half way to the estimated dollars to build a new pool. Perhaps there should be a partnership of fund raising, grants and tax dollars to get the job done?

In 1980, Representative Douglass Bereuter (R-Nebraska) warned “The energy crunch and recent interpretation of national water policy pose potential threats to the western half of the United States. Continuing: “The combination of the two issues could lead to an infringement on state water rights.”

Another interesting headline: “UN Votes Soviets Out of Afghanistan 104-18….The U.N. General Assembly called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan by a vote of 104-18 but the Soviet occupation of the Central Asian country was expected to continue indefinitely, until the Moslem rebellion there is under control and the communist government is safe.” On page 11 of the same issue, Otto Doelling, an Associated Press Writer, explained the issue in this manner: “Soviet expansion into Afghanistan has triggered a geopolitical showdown between the world’s super powers along Southwest Asia’ so-called “arc of instability.” The ultimate stakes in what is expected to be a drawn-out global drama are extremely high since Afghanistan forms the backdoor to the fabulous oil wealth of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula and to the Indian sub-continent.”

Vice President Walter Mondale was on the campaign trail warning voters not to “loosely change presidencies” in his effort to support the re-election of President Jimmy Carter.

The First National Bank was advertising their “Bank in a Box” open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Gambles (215 West C Street) wanted you to buy their “Magic-Fit” vinyl window shades for a starting price of $3.99 per window. The Ough Telephone Company (four miles north of Benkleman) was holding an excess property auction which included poles, wire and insulators and Hinky Dinky was offering a new hand painted stoneware, “The Classics” by Hearthside. You could pick up a featured plate, bowl or cup for 59 cents when you spent $3.00.

Wilsonville was “cool to merger plan” proposed by the Beaver Valley School Board. The plan called for K-6 grades in Wilsonville and Danbury and a school for 7-12 in Lebanon.

Mode O Day (108 West C Street) was holding a 50% off clearance sale on coats, pant sets, dresses, tops and robes. Country Corner (formerly the D & S Food Giant) was selling Jumbo Cauliflower for 39 cents each and Banquet Pot Pies for 27 cents while Bob Cobb Pontiac (West 8th & C Streets) was advertising a ’77 Honda Accord Hatchback “if you want to save big money, and save on gas, test drive this beauty today.”

Under the Regional Roundup Section, you would find news from Bartley, Trenton, Stockville, Beaver City, Wilsonville, Palisade and Haigler. The “Townhouse Topics” was a weekly news item from the McCook Townhouse (in the old Keystone Hotel) which was a pre-assisted living business. A group of young members from two Farnam churches had sang for the residents on Sunday afternoon.

SWNGS library is open on Thursdays from 1-4 PM, 322 Norris Ave, Rooms 2-7. Our web-site is www.swngs.org and research on it is free to everyone. Check out our Facebook page, Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society for updates and information.