'Happiness is ...' Heritage Days in McCook, Nebraska

This is going to be a great week. The 2012 Heritage Days week is about to begin and it promises to be another event-filled celebration that will honor our past, present, and future.

At one time, the annual celebration was referred to as German Heritage Days, but at some point organizers wanted to recognize that McCook is like many other communities on the plains, made up of a variety of people from various nationalities. That was probably a fitting decision, because most historians believe that McCook's origins really started with German immigrants from Russia.

Those first settlers had moved from Germany to Russia with hopes of a better life for themselves and their families, only to find that they would suffer persecution, in part, because of their determination to hold on to their German culture. Finding life unbearable in Russia, they made their way to the United States, and ultimately to Southwest Nebraska.

We can thank the Germans from Russia for the independent spirit, strong work ethic and the significant role that faith plays in our communities still today.

The theme for the 2012 Heritage Days is "Happiness Is ..." -- leaving the participant to fill in the blank. We know that the answer to that phrase will vary from person to person. It is a thought that we should all take some time to contemplate as we go about the hustle and bustle of this event-filled week.

Is happiness the reunion with family and friends that often accompany the events for the week? Is it the tastes, smells, and abundant variety of food available? Is it the pride and joy we feel as parents and grandparents watching our dance, band, and voice students perform at Norris Park? Is it the chuckle we get from seeing friends and neighbors dress up in outlandish costumes, throwing dignity to the wind, just for our pleasure at the annual Heritage Days parade?

However you choose to fill in the blank, we are confident that "boredom" will not enter the vocabulary. Official events begin Wednesday night with a mixer hosted by McCook National Bank. The food will be great, and honoring members of the community for their contributions is always inspiring.

Thursday night's activities include a "Southwest Nebraska's Got Talent" competition at the Norris Park band shell. Friday's activities start early, with the George W. Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast at the Senior Center at 7 a.m. That afternoon, the McCook Community Foundation Fund will host a reception at the Keystone Business Center where they will announce their Random Acts of Kindness winner, as well as recipients of grant awards for the year.

The heart of the celebration begins Saturday, with the McCook United Way Road Race, hot air balloon launch, car and tractor shows, quilt show, parade, arts and crafts booths, entertainment and youth activities.

Nashville recording artist Maggie Mae will perform at the City Auditorium Saturday at 7:30 p.m. A favorite performer on RFD TV's "Midwest Country Show", Maggie Mae and her Heartland Country Bank will entertain with her country music and yodeling.

Pancakes are on the menu Sunday morning, as the United Methodist Church and St. Alban's Episcopal Church team up to host a breakfast and church service in Norris Park. The arts and crafts and entertainment will continue in Norris Park throughout Sunday afternoon.

However you complete the sentence "Happiness Is ..." or whatever your heritage happens to be, we feel confident that you will find some reason in the upcoming week to celebrate life in Southwest Nebraska.