Editorial

Heritage Days starts with a special home

Thursday, September 22, 2005

McCook and Red Willow County are special places because of the people who live here. We were reminded of the truth of that statement Wednesday evening when six special people were chosen for honors as part of the community's 2005 Heritage Days celebration.

With pride and happiness showing in their eyes, three of the honorees -- Marie Coffey and Ivan and Pat Schmid -- expressed the same sentiment when asked why McCook was meaningful to them.

"It's home," they said. For those who have experienced the serene, comfortable feeling of hometown living, no other explanation is needed. It's just nice to be in familiar surroundings and have people around who you care about, and share experiences with, on a daily basis.

Ivan and Pat Schmid, this year's Honor Family, explained, "Living in McCook has been wonderful for us. We've had lots of opportunities. The best part are all the people we have known and grown close to."

Pat was born in McCook and Ivan moved here with his family in 1943. They've had chances to move in their retirement years, but have chosen to stay in the place they know and love.

The Schmids have remained active in the community, as has Mrs. Coffey, who was selected as this year's Parade Marshal. "I'm so blessed to be a part of the McCook community," said Mrs. Coffey, who moved here in 1947. "It's been a great place to raise two children."

McCook has also been blessed because of Mrs. Coffey's many contributions. She serves as the choir director for the Memorial United Methodist Church and acts as accompanist for the Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association. In addition, she continues to play for high school students during contest performances.

Her contributions follow a 34-year career as a music teacher in McCook schools.

Mrs. Coffey and the Schmids shared the spotlight Wednesday night with Julia Lyons, the 2005 Heritage Days Queen; Whitney Pierson, the 2005 Heritage Days Princess; and Gov. Dave Heineman, the Grand Marshal of the 2005 Heritage Days Parade.

Heineman lived here briefly in the 1950s while his father was serving as the assistant manager at the Penney's store. He is the third governor with McCook ties to serve as Grand Marshal, joining Frank Morrison and Ben Nelson in that capacity.

Heritage starts with a home. For this year's honorees, and thousands of others through the years, that's what is most special about the McCook area. It's home.

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