Spotlight illuminates hometown spirit

When the McCook Daily Gazette started the Community Spotlight series two months ago, the staff had no idea how well the idea would work out. We knew the communities of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas were special places deserving of recognition, but we did not fully realize how warm and welcoming the communities' residents would be.

As it turns out, that's the big story ... the main strength of small towns in the Golden Plains. The people are extraordinary. They're honest. They're friendly. They genuinely care about their neighbors, and they're there to help in times of need.

We found this hometown spirit in August when, unannounced, the Gazette's publisher, Gene Morris, visited Cambridge and was greeted cooperatively by all he encountered. The same friendly mood prevailed in Palisade, which is featured in today's Gazette as the Spotlight Community for September.

Our only regret is that space limitations prevent us from listing the names of every person in every town because they all have stories to tell. Instead, we try to capture the mood, the spirit and the special characteristics of the spotlighted towns.

In Palisade's case, September proved to be a fitting time for recognition as it was the 50th anniversary of a club whose name -- "Friendly Neighbors" -- epitomizes the core values of small town life. Patricia Hackert and Maxine Scott were charter members of the club and are still active today. Mrs. Hackert, who moved to Palisade from Elk River, Minn., has grown deeply attached to Palisade in her 50 years-plus in the community. "They're such good people. Everyone's so caring. It's a peaceful place to live."

Palisade's community spirit will be shown again Saturday, Oct. 2, when the members of the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department host a pancake supper at the fire barn on Main Street. The supper, lasting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will help raise money for fire equipment through free will donations.

And so it is in the communities of the Golden Plains. Good people doing good things for their town and each other. This month and in the months to come, the Gazette takes pride in saluting them in the Community Spotlight series.