September brings good news to area

"Sure could use ... a little good news ... today."

Those lyrics -- made popular by the mesmerizing voice of Anne Murray -- flashed into mind this week during a delightful start to one of the most precious months of the year.

September. Oh, beautiful September.

Not only was the weather nice -- ranging from the mid-70s to the low 90s during daylight hours -- but good things were happening on the news front as well.

First step for funding

For McCookites, the highlight came Thursday afternoon when U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson's office called to announce the Instrument Landing System for the McCook Muncipal Airport had received approval from the Appropriations Committee of the Senate.

That's excellent news because the Senate appropriations' vote is considered the key first step in the funding process. And this is not a small potatoes' deal. If the Instrument Landing System wins final approval, as it now appears it will, the McCook Municipal Airport will receive more than $900,000 to purchase the state-of-the-art Instrument Landing System.

The system will vastly expand the airport's ability to accomodate landings and takeoffs during times of limited visibility. The work of Doug Vap, Dick Trail and Griff Malleck -- and the help of Nebraska's senators, Nelson and Hagel -- were crucial in reaching this point. Thanks, gentlemen. Your efforts will uplift air service for this region.

Cotton-Bowl Bound

And, what a nice honor it was for the McCook High School Band to be chosen to take part in the 2004 Southwestern Cotton Bowl in Dallas!

What's that old saying: "We're walking in tall cotton." Well, not literally, but it does make townspeople feel special to know their high school band is so highly regarded.

The trip to Dallas will be a lasting memory for the high school band members. We can lend our support by supporting the band's fund- raising efforts, starting with their sale of pizza kits and cookie dough tubes. Another advantage is -- that when the band members stop by to peddle their wares -- we can tell them how proud we are of them for earning the right to perform in Dallas.

Memory Walk Sunday

For the second year in a row, citizens from the area will be uniting for McCook's Memory Walk. It is such a worthy cause, with the money raised used to benefit victims of Alzheimer's and those who care for them.

Registration will be at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Norris Park and the walk will begin at 1 p.m. During the first walk in 2002, a total of $5,200 was raised in McCook. Let's add to the total. Let's help the victims of the disease known as "the long good-bye."