Forum to focus on local political legacy

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. -- Nebraska historians and storytellers will join community representatives this week to examine McCook's political tradition and explore ways to give it wider exposure.

Speakers will include Ronald C. Naugle, a Nebraska historian; Brian Croft, a history instructor at Western Nebraska Community College; and Mike Smith, the retired director and CEO of the Nebraska State Historical Society. The program will be facilitated by Andy Long, the vice president of McCook Community College.

The event, examining the legacy of Gov. Ralph Broks, Sen. George W. Norris and Ben Nelson, who was both a govenor and U.S. senator, is set for Thursday and Friday.

Inspired by the Norris Institute, the program called "McCook's Political Tradition -- Telling the Story," was made possible by funding from Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment fund.

The Norris Institute is presenting the program in cooperation with the High Plains Museum, Heritage Square, the Norris Foundation and the Nebraska State Historical Society's Norris House.

"Frank Morrison often mused that McCook's abundance of politicians was caused by something in the water of the Republican River," said Cloyd Clark, the president of the Norris Institute. "The time has come to tell the actual story of McCook's contributions to the political history of Nebraska and the nation."

Through the years, McCook has been represented on the state and national political scene by U.S. Sen. George W. Norris, regarded as one of America's greatest legislators, as well as Nebraska Governors Ralph G. Brooks, Frank B. Morrison, Ben Nelson and Dave Heineman. In addition to two terms as governor, Nelson went on to serve two terms in the U.S. Senate.

To RSVP, contact Angela Allen at the McCook Economic Development Corp. office, (308) 345-1200 or angela@mccookne.org.

Humanities Nebraska is an independent, non-profit organization that funds programs that explore Nebraska's heritage, build community awareness and strengthen our ties to cultural traditions at home and abroad.

The Nebraska Cultural Endowment is a public/private partnership that designates funds to Humanities Nebraska for distribution.

Schedule

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at the Keystone (3rd floor Training room)

1:00-1:20: Assemble, Intro, Review Agenda

1:20-1:40: McCook's Dreams

2:00-2:45: Look at other communities to see what they've done

2:45-3:00: Break

3:00-4:00: Determine goals and form of the final product for this planning event

4:00-4:15: Break

4:15-5:45: Tour Norris, Nelson House, Heritage Square, and Frank Lloyd Wright house

5:30-6:00: Break

6:00-7:00: Dinner at Sehnert's

7:00-8:00: Public discussion with the planning team at Sehnert's

Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Keystone (3rd floor Training room)

8:30: Planning team convenes

8:30-9:15: Review of the educational and heritage resources in McCook and Red Willow

County: strengths and weaknesses

9:15-10:00: Possibilities and dreams

10:00-10:15: break

10:15-11:00: Marketing/Communication

11:00-12:00: Nuts and Bolts: Services, programs, participating organizations, communications,

coordination, and management

12:00-1:00: During Lunch: Drivers and Restrainers

1:00-2:00: Developing next steps, key players, and a firm schedule moving forward,

benchmarking

2:00-2:30: Funding needs and sources

2:30-3:00: Break

3:00-4:00: Public Review and Input

4:00-5:00: Put together the overall plan and reporting document

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  • Many people forget that Gov. Dave Heineman was also a native of McCook in his elementary school years. He should be included in the discussion. Does anyone know where he lived while in McCook?

    -- Posted by dennis on Tue, Feb 21, 2017, at 3:23 PM
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