'McCook Memories' celebrates community's 125th anniversary

Tuesday, August 14, 2007
McCook's 125th memory book.

After a year-long effort, McCook's 125th anniversary picture book has arrived at the Gazette office.

The book, packed with more than 200 historical photographs, is ready for distribution to the more than 500 businesses, families and individuals who purchased copies in advance.

"It's an awesome book," said Shary Skiles, publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette. "I am so very proud of all who had a part in the book's production. This includes the Gazette staff and the many people who shared their pictures with us."

The book, 11 by 81?2 inches in size, features full descriptions of each of the historic scenes.

The book starts with a picture titled, "Dugout on banks of Republican River," and concludes with photos showing the McCook Class B state football championship teams of 2002 and 2003.

In the pages between, vintage photographs show scores of McCook scenes, including the Flood of 1935, the Tornado of 1928, the busy years at the railroad roundhouse, the governors and senators who called McCook home, and many views of everyday life in the community.

The title of the book is "McCook Memories: Proud People, Proud Heritage."

Work on the book started in the summer of 2006 at the suggestion of Wally Lage, the Chief Operating Officer of Rust Communications. He knew of other successful community picture books and felt it would be a fitting way to pay tribute to McCook's 125th anniversary celebration.

Twenty members of the Gazette staff participated directly in the book's production.

The effort began in the summer of 2006 when Joeleen Snyder started the collection of historic photographs. Soon after that, a letter went out to members of the McCook business community, inviting them to join in sponsorship of the book.

The response was outstanding, encouraging the Gazette to go full-speed ahead in plans for the book.

"It was an intense, detailed process," Skiles said. "Every photo had to be documented and categorized, then the historical writers had to track down information for the cutlines.

"It was a mammoth job, but it was worth it. The final result is a fitting tribute to McCook's Quasquicen-tennial observance."

Copies of "McCook Memories" are being mailed to those who paid in advance for shipping and handling. To pick up copies, purchasers are asked to stop by the Gazette office, located at the corner of West First and E, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Additional copies of the book are available for sale for $42.55. This includes the per book cost of $39.95, plus $2.60 sales tax. There is an additional charge for shipping the book.

"If you would like copies for your friends and family, I encourage you to get your orders in as quickly as possible," Skiles said. "We have a limited number of copies left and we're expecting them to go fast. This is an historic book. It will be a treasured edition for present and past residents of McCook."

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  • How do I order Memories book over the internet?

    My address is Jerry E. McClain

    6783 W. 66th Ave.

    Arvada, CO 80003

    -- Posted by Jerrym501 on Wed, Aug 15, 2007, at 2:41 PM
  • Unfortunately, we can not take payments over the internet. Please call us at 1-800-269-1426 and we can get your information over the phone. The cost is $39.95 plus $2.60 sales tax and $6.50 shipping for a total of $49.05. I hope you enjoy the book!

    Shary Skiles

    Publisher

    sskiles@ocsmccook.com

    -- Posted by Publisher on Thu, Aug 16, 2007, at 8:19 AM
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