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Roots run deep for 2019 Heritage Days Honor Family
McCOOK, Neb. -- A farmer-rancher/educator duo is the 2019 Heritage Days Honor Family and a man simply known as “Coach” is the 2019 Heritage Days Parade Marshal.
Dale and Mary (Anderson) Dueland both grew up in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1972 and 1973 respectively. Dale told the crowd gathered at the MNB Bank mixer Wednesday that their families go back four generation in Southwest Nebraska. “Our grandparents were here when they organized a lot of these communities and we both always felt strongly that we need to give back to our community because we received so much over that many years from these communities.”
Mary, a retired McCook Public School teacher, serves on the McCook Public Library board, Library Foundation Board and the Education Committee of the McCook Chamber of Commerce. She also facilitates the tutoring program through the library. In addition, she is involved in bringing a Discovery Center for kids of all ages to McCook. Dale serves on the Frenchman Valley Board of Directors, the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee, the McCook Arts Council, and the McCook City Planning Commission. He will soon take over as chairman of the Nebraska Community Foundation Board of Directors.
They are members of Memorial United Methodist Church and Mary volunteers at the Helping Hands Thrift Store and serves on a number of committees.
The Dueland’s are passionate about music and the arts and are instrumental in organizing the annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival, the Prairie Roots Festival, and they consistently help with Live at the Bieroc events. Dale also serves on the McCook Concert Association Board.
Their immediate family includes son, Neal and wife Laura (Brooks) of Omaha, and daughter, Anna and husband Zach Hunnicutt of Giltner. They have four grandchildren, Everett, Adeline, Houston, and Townsend.
Mary told the gathering, “When I look out at this room, I see so many people who are passionate and who actively work to make this a great community to live in. I thank you and appreciate this honor for me, but it goes to all of you who truly are working for the betterment of McCook.”
Coach Jeff Gross, the 2019 Heritage Days Parade Marshal, put a little added pressure on himself and his team for Friday night’s matchup against Lexington. A win Friday night would mark his 200th win in McCook. “I think there would be nothing better than to be celebrating that in the parade on Saturday,” Coach Gross said in accepting the honor. The game starts at 7 p.m. Friday night in Lexington.
While Gross is best known to many people for his numerous accomplishments on the football field; his real passion is simply kids. “The biggest thing I’m proud of; and I thank the community of McCook for; is entrusting me with the lives of our greatest resource and that is kids,” Gross told the MNB Bank gathering. His involvement with youth extends beyond the high school football program. He also serves as a Teammates mentor, on the American Legion Baseball board, and has developed a successful youth summer football league in McCook.
Gross, who moved to McCook in 1998 and became principal of McCook High School in 2016, has worked hard to encourage high school staff and students to get involved throughout the community. He leads by example, serving as a past president of McCook Chamber of Commerce and volunteering for a variety of events.
Gross was instrumental in developing the Lift Alternative Education Program at McCook High School. The program helps at-risk students work toward graduation.
Gross told the Gazette that one of the things he is most proud of is the many past McCook High School football players who have made the decision to return to McCook after graduation from college. Of his ten current assistant coaches, seven of them are former graduates of McCook High School. Other former players have returned to McCook and are pursuing careers throughout the community, including Dawson Brunswick, the McCook Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
Coach Gross’s family includes wife, Diana; daughter Lexi, a student at Fort Hayes State University; and son DJ, a student at the University of South Dakota.
The MHS football program often uses the motto “We are One”. Speaking of the motto, Coach Gross told those gathered at the mixer, “I didn’t do that even remotely myself. It’s all this community, the families, the friends, the players, and everybody together. When I say ‘We are One’, that’s what we are in McCook.”
Eleven Red Willow County students competed for the 2019 Heritage Days Royalty designation.
Honored as Heritage Day Queen was Elizabeth Barenberg, the daughter of Stacy and Steven Barenberg and a senior at McCook High School. Elizabeth told the selection committee that drama and one-act plays have helped her be a part of something bigger than just herself.
TJ Renner, son of Steve Renner and Sarah Renner, is the 2019 Heritage Days King. TJ is a senior at McCook High School and he told the selection committee that being part of student council got him involved in many activities at the school, as well as in the community.
Princess Hannah Goltl, daughter of Randall and Carrie Goltl, told the committee that Interact, Thespians, and her church youth group all allowed her to get into the community and help people. Hannah is a senior at McCook High School.
Reese Dellevoet, son of Kyle and Jody Dellevoet and senior at McCook High School, told the committee that the time and effort he has put into football has taught him to be diligent and work hard.