'Yesterday's Tomorrows' will be a hit

Remember "Barn Again!," the popular Smithsonian exhibit which brought streams of visitors to the High Plains Museum in McCook a year ago in January?

The success of the show in McCook attracted national recognition, with stories about the event featured in state and national publications.

Not content to rest on their laurels, the High Plains Historical Society of McCook is at it again. Under the able leadership of Merrill Ream, a committee of society members and community volunteers is getting ready to host another traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution.

Called "Yesterday's Tomorrows," the latest exhibition is currently touring Nebraska. The show will reach McCook on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and will be here through Monday, Oct. 6. The timing could not be better, as the dates for the exhibit coincide with McCook's 2003 Heritage Days celebration.

"It's going to be a great show and so much fun," said Ream. After the exhibit arrives in McCook and gets set up in the museum, the committee is planning a grand opening. As part of the festivities, historical cars will be exhibited on Norris Avenue. "Our plan is to have a car from each decade, starting with the 1920s and going through to the present day," Ream said.

And that's just a start to the swirl of activity that will take place in McCook during the "Yesterday's Tomorrows" visit. Another biggie will be a "Music Through the Years" extravaganza, scheduled at the Fox Theater Friday night, Sept. 26, on the eve of the Heritage Days celebration. "We're going to feature all local talent," said Walt Sehnert, who is heading up arrangements for the nostalgic musical variety show.

Giving a hint about what's in store, Sehnert said those attending can expect a visit from the "Andrews Sisters," who Sehnert calls the "Poster Girls" from World War II. Big Band music is also anticipated, as are Charleston songs from the Roaring Twenties.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? And, as an added bonus, it will provide residents of this area an opportunity to look back ... and forward.

"Yesterday's Tomorrows." What an intriguing title. And what a great opportunity for the museum to showcase itself as an excellent venue for cultural events.

We, the people, helped make "Barn Again!" a smashing success. With our all-out support, we can do the same for "Yesterday's Tomorrows."