Opinion

In the end times, there will be an increase in the number of lovers of self (narcissism). Everyone has a narcissistic moment or season in life. When we become selfish, thinking it is the only way we can get our needs met and we don’t trust anyone else to be in charge; not even God. ...

I had reason to pull out a neat old book of mine this week. It’s one that my mom gave me back in the late '80s, written by a gentleman named Tad Tuleja, who is often referred to as a “folklorist” in web references. The Folklorist moniker may be a bit generous. Teluja...

McCook exemplifies the essence of a tight-knit, thriving community. In a world that sometimes seems to prioritize individualism, our town has a heartbeat that beats in unison with the spirit of our residents. The real heartbeat of this unity lies in the selfless acts of community involvement and volunteerism, which provide the muscle for McCook's growth and well-being...

Societal resets, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and historical events like actors’ and writers’ strikes, have undoubtedly caused upheaval and disruption. However, it is essential to recognize that these periods of turmoil also bring about unique opportunities for positive change and growth within society. While the immediate effects of these events are often challenging and sometimes devastating, they can ultimately lead to significant advantages that shape our world for the better...

I’ve read several accounts this week of a gentleman in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, who died and willed a large chunk ($3.8 million) of his estate to the town of 4000 residents. Much appreciated and a committee was formed to use it in an appropriate manner. Gee, that sounded familiar! Yes, it wasn’t long ago that McCook benefited from my own high school friend Jim Lee or “Scout Lee” as we called him, who did something similar...

Across the State of Nebraska, you may see the gathering of signatures to put the EPIC tax on the ballot to be decided on by the voters. The EPIC tax, or eliminate property, income, and corporate tax, provides an opportunity to completely transform Nebraska’s complicated, outdated, and broken tax system- a goal I certainly support...

Where were you when you hear President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas? Where were you when you heard he had died? If you were old enough to be aware, you can probably remember both places. For the aging baby boomer generation, few events had the impact of the assassination of JFK. By comparison, the deaths of his brother and Dr. Martin Luther King seemed like sad summer reruns...

Over the past few weeks, I have been researching stories and pictures for an annual report for the McCook Community Foundation Fund. As I sifted through news stories and searched through countless photos, I quickly lost count of all that had happened over the past year: both for MCFF and for the community...

The Thanksgiving holiday is the beginning of the festive holiday season. From now until New Year’s Day, it’s typical to be busy socially attending family gatherings, work parties, celebrations, and other festivities. It can be a lot to manage sometimes, and the festive season can be good and bad for everyone...

One hundred and fifty boxes all packed and sealed with love from this community mailed to our troops deployed overseas for Christmas. This community all up and down the Republican River is awesome to care for our servicemen risking their lives in some pretty austere places to protect our way of life. ...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Helen Ruth Arnold was a retired teacher and long-time contributor to the Gazette’s Open Forum columns, even after she moved into a Trenton nursing home. After her death on June 17, 2023, at the age of 91, we received 16 letters from her. We will publish them as time and space allow in honor of her memory...

In recent years, the act of tipping for good service has undergone a subtle yet significant transformation. What was once considered a voluntary expression of gratitude has now evolved into a quasi-tax imposed not by the government, but by businesses themselves, fueled by societal expectations. ...

During the holiday season, most Americans make a disproportionate number of discretionary purchases. The amount varies, depending on income and family tradition, but the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts that consumers will spend an average of $875 on “core” holiday purchases this year. ...

A recent Carewell.com survey on the status of older workers in America sheds light on significant trends that have implications for public policy, particularly in states with a higher concentration of senior workers, such as Nebraska. Here are key takeaways and potential policy considerations:...

KEARNEY, Neb. - Last week, more than three dozen McCook residents traveled to Kearney to learn, to connect, and to dream as part of the Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual training. Some might remember when NCF was in McCook in 2021 and included the “Night on the Bricks” that toured downtown locations with artwork and food...

In our rural communities, there exists a group of unsung heroes who deserve our utmost admiration and gratitude. These are the family caregivers, those selfless individuals who provide unwavering support and care to their loved ones facing chronic illnesses, disabilities, or the challenges of aging. ...

It is wonderful to live in this community in Southwest Nebraska where military veterans are so appreciated. MNB has a line of local veteran’s portraits all around Norris Park and there I am beside my special cousin Chuck in his Naval uniform. Many names and pictures I don’t recognize but it is a chance for us to thank them all...

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it's time to shift our focus from the threat of COVID-19 to another annual adversary: the flu. But this year, there's reason to believe we may be in a better position to combat the influenza virus. According to experts, the Southern Hemisphere's recent experience offers some optimism, and the efficacy of this year's flu vaccine is promising. Still, it's essential to remain vigilant and proactive in our preparations for the flu season...

According to several sources, Daylight Savings Time was proposed by a New Zealand scientist, George Vernon Hudson in 1895. He wanted a two hour shift so that he had more time to devote to catching bugs. So the first inkling of modern time change was to serve one person?...

For many years, historians have reminded us that the Thanksgiving holiday we were taught about as children was a romanticized and perhaps sanitized version of historical events. We have been told that many foods considered essential to our contemporary holiday observation were most likely not at the original feast. ...

Happy 248th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! On this special day, we gather to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have proudly served in the Marine Corps for nearly two and a half centuries. November 10th marks the day when this distinguished branch of the United States Armed Forces was founded, and since then, the Marines have been at the forefront of defending our nation and upholding the values that make America great...

Earlier this week, Will Andreson spoke at the McCook Rotary Club’s weekly meeting and also met with a variety of people in McCook to learn more about the community. But the visit wasn’t a relaxing vacation for the retired University of Wisconsin professor. ...

Is the Biden Administration poised to do something about your water bill? Well, not really; but the EPA is finally going to do something about a chemical which, had it been eliminated decades ago, might have made it unnecessary for the City of McCook to build and operate a state-of-the-art water treatment facility at tens of millions of dollars and counting...

Every year in the fall, Americans “fall back” out of daylight saving time into standard time. While this practice has been a part of our annual routine for years, experts are increasingly advocating for its abolition in favor of permanent standard time. The reasons behind this movement are compelling, ranging from the historical origins of daylight saving time to the detrimental health impacts it imposes on individuals...

Yep, it is that time of year again. Time to load boxes to ship to our Military Chaplains stationed overseas. Items in the boxes will be passed out to our troops deployed near overseas hot spots to make their Christmas a bit less lonely. I know as I’ve been there and done that! During the summers of 1967, ’68, and ’69 I was doing temporary duty in Southeast Asia flying tanker refueling missions in support of the war in Vietnam. ...