A weekend of celebration and renewal

Long holiday weekends underscore the myriad benefits of small town living and after hosting the Bison 2010 Reunion and celebrating our nation's independence, McCook and Southwest Nebraska should be proud of the welcome offered to hundreds of out-of-area and out-of-state visitors.

From Arapahoe to Culbertson, to Imperial and all points in between, parades and fireworks evoked oohs and ahhs and inspired wide smiles on people of all ages.

Bison alumni enjoyed dragging main, reliving the days of muscle cars and cheap gas, with a car show downtown adding to the experience.

The phrase, "only in America" is second only to the phrase, "only in small town America" in these parts.

Hometown pride really shone throughout the weekend, as everyone put their best foot forward, at the street dance downtown and while feting Sen. Ben Nelson during a dedication ceremony at his boyhood home. And although the daily police log carries the usual number of fireworks complaints, thankfully, there was only a single fire call to a dumpster fire Sunday evening. According to McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham, it was another good year. For the most part, everyone was great and he was unaware of any firework related injuries.

Enjoy the photo spreads, from around the area today on page 14; and in tomorrow's Gazette from around McCook, and relish the small town experience we enjoy everyday.