Editorial

Heritage Days offers special cause to celebrate

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Dampened by the pandemic last year, this year’s 50th anniversary Heritage Days should really be something to celebrate as it returns to near normal.

Although we hope all precautions won’t be thrown to the wind, vaccinations and common sense should ensure a safe observance of McCook’s largest annual event.

Today’s edition includes an account of the royalty, honor family and parade marshal announced at last night’s MNB mixer, and a well-deserved congratulations to those chosen.

Making up for opportunities lost to the pandemic, Friday’s Norris Breakfast will honor the late Judge Cloyd Clark with the announcement of the Norris Preservation Award at McCook Christian Church. A celebration of his life is set for 5 p.m. Saturday at Norris Alley and the Keystone Lobby.

Appropriate for an event named after Sen. George W. Norris, father of the nonpartisan Unicameral, the speaker will be former State Sen. Dr. Laura Ebke, an independent thinker who changed her registration from Republican to become possibly the first Libertarian member of the Legislature. She was elected to member-at-large of the Libertarian National Committee. She holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Also new this year is the Heritage Acres Farm-to-Table tour and dinner, highlighting an important, growing aspect of the rural economy.

Following the 10 a.m. parade, the George Norris House Historical Site plans a grand re-opening, including a flag-raising by Boy Scouts Troop 147 and National Anthem by the Southwest High School.

A full slate of announcements of entertainment is set for the Norris Park bandshell from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Former governor and U.S. senator Ben Nelson will be interviewed by NTV Saturday and Sunday, and he will sign copies of his new book at 2 p.m. Saturday at his boyhood home on Norris Ave.

Church and more entertainment are set for Sunday in Norris Park.

A half-century after the event was founded, this year’s Heritage Days promises to be something to truly celebrate.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: