McCook celebrates 140th birthday this summer with Chautaugua

The last Chautaugua in McCook began on July 12, 1990. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I hadn’t taken part in the festivities, that is, until I remembered that Legion Baseball was in full swing then and I was no doubt parked on a bleacher cheering on the team.

McCook’s Chautaugua this summer will be the perfect way to celebrate McCook’s 140th birthday! I can’t wait because the theme is the 1950s. I’ve already found my poodle skirt pattern, now as soon as I find my waist…well, some of you know what I mean. Then again, I remember having a blouse and shorts set, the shorts stopping just above my knees, that was a quite memorable flower pattern. Yes, I looked like a very brilliant flower garden. Perhaps I won’t go there either, but you never know.

The 1990 celebration, complete with a huge tent in Norris Park, started with the arrival of the Chautauguans who were then given a tour of McCook followed by a Community Picnic where the Sertoma Club furnished refreshments. Following the picnic, the tent raising occurred.

The Sertoma Club were probably heroes since they furnished refreshments every day from 6-8 p.m., and in McCook during July a cool drink is always welcomed. The Friday night lineup in the park introduced to the attendees a line up of scholars who would be portraying Henry Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Saturday morning, Henry Adams spoke at a breakfast at the Red Horse/Fireside Inn. Following was a workshop at the museum on the book, “Ghost Dance.” The next speaker, Susan Lockwood, covered “Growing up in 1776” which was in the Mike Klinger Room at the public library.

Children’s workshops on that Saturday included Storyteller, Learn and Do, plus Clowns under the big tent and a Sing-along, all held in the tent in Norris Park.

That evening, a Dixieland Band and Piano Bar Group played in the Big Tent. The featured speaker, Alexander Hamilton, began at 8 p.m.

Sunday was also packed with activities and following breakfast the United Methodist Church hosted “Thunder in the Pulpit” by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In case you are not sure who she was, her notable acts were activist (abolition and women’s rights) and the author of many of Susan B. Anthony’s speeches in between giving birth to seven children.

Highway 6 & 34 Band played that night in the park followed by the portrayal of Thomas Paine. Monday and Tuesday were also filled with activities during the Chautaugua and a children’s workshop on Tuesday included Puppetry under the Big Tent. The final festivities on Tuesday night showcased a Benkelman Country Western Band and the taking down of the tent.

Many of the portrayers were scheduled so that if you couldn’t make a session there would be a second session that might fit your day better. The children’s classes were also repeated in order to catch as many participants as possible.

Flora Dutcher was involved in the celebration as well as the 1975 Chautaugua. In 1975 as the head of the Junior Chautaugua, she had organized the “blue jeans and red checks brigade,” a prescribed uniform of denim jeans, red checker shirts and baseball caps, as well as activities for the kids such as wire bending, sketching, projected silhouettes and a puppet theater.

I know this year’s organizers will provide all ages with great entertainment and education. Meanwhile, I’ll be looking for my saddle oxfords since my feet at least are still the same size!

Online research on snowy days should always include the SWNGS website: www.swngs.org. There is so much information available including plat maps, Sanborn maps, early obituaries, weddings and more.