Gazette centennial -- Storyteller to kick off year-long celebration

Bill Harley, right, will be making a return appearance in McCook on January 15 as part of the McCook Daily Gazette's 100th year celebration. Bill was in McCook in 2007 as part of the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, where he led a workshop at McCook Community College and delighted participants, from left, Clark Bates, Linda Crandall, and Mary Dueland with his tale of Dirty Joe the Pirate. (McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- In 1911, a 19-year-old Harry Strunk, along with a partner, decided to begin publishing a twice-weekly newspaper called the Red Willow County Gazette. At the time, McCook's population was only about 4,000 and there were already two established weekly newspapers in the community and six in Red Willow County.

The Gazette has been printing the news stories of the people and events of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas for the 100 years since Strunk's brave venture into the publishing world. In 2011, a year-long celebration will begin, and as an opening event for the commemoration, the Gazette will be sponsoring a performance by Bill Harley, a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, on January 15 at 7 p.m. in the Fox Theatre.

"We thought having a storyteller kick off our 100th year is very appropriate, because that is what we do every day in the newspaper. The Gazette ties the Golden Plains communities together through our printed pages, and we wanted to share our celebration with the people who have made that possible," said Gazette Publisher Shary Skiles.

Bill Harley is making a return appearance to McCook. He was the headlining act for the 2007 Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, engaging the audience with his hilarious and witty tale of the mysterious Teacher's Lounge, where the windowless door was always shut and students were never allowed in.

During the 2007 performance, Harley brought crowds to convulsing laughter one minute and thought-provoking reflection the next with his detailed accounts of a kid's life. Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. A regular commentator on National Public Radio's (NPR "All Things Considered, Harley's work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves.

Tickets for the performance will be available beginning December 29 at the McCook Daily Gazette, and the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

All proceeds for the performance will be donated to the McCook Community Foundation and the McCook Arts Council.

The staff of the McCook Daily Gazette encourages everyone to take a break from their busy lives, and laugh out loud at the wit, wisdom, and unique perspective of life that Bill's performance is sure to provide.

In A Nutshell:

What:

Bill Harley Performance to Kick off Gazette's 100th Year

When:

Saturday, Jan.15, 7 p.m.

Where:

Fox Theatre

How Much:

$10 for adults, $5 for children under 12; tickets available at the Gazette office

Benefits:

McCook Arts Council and McCook Community Foundation