Sgt. Randy Matheny, a 2004 graduate of McCook High School, was tragically killed by a roadside bomb on February 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.  Matheny, the 20-year-old son of Jan and Duane Collins and Gary Matheny and his fiancée Kay Chambers, died when an improvised explosive device detonated next to the armored security vehicle in which he served as a gunner.

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The end of his senior year at McCook High School Ted Chancellor ’05 had no idea the impact a Navy recruiter would have on his future. However, December 30, 2006, found him in Washington D.C., one of 18 special members of America’s armed services selected to carry former President Gerald Ford’s casket.

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  It is probably safe to say that few of our readers were alive during the 1920s.  For most of us, it was an era that we only read about in history class.  The decade that gave us the flappers, jazz music, art deco, the Charleston, Prohibition, and radio is something that we can fantasize about or wistfully wish that we could have seen those glory days.  But for the oldest remaining alumni members of McCook High School, it was a decade in which they lived their teen years and completed their high school education.

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        McCook Public School buildings are constantly being maintained and upgraded, but there are a couple of special changes we thought you’d like to know about.  The walls in the high school auditorium were painted and decorated by seniors Morgan Pearson and Tristan Darling. Read the rest of this entry »

McCook Community Hospital is adding a new Rehabilitation Center on the hospital campus with completion to be in March, by the time you receive this newsletter.

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Bison Alumni are shaking up the news around the world yet again.
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We all express our condolences to the families of these alumni. If you wish to send condolences, please feel free to contact the class representative of these people (See Class Announcements for that information.) You may read more information about many of these deaths on-line at www.mccookgazette.com.

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The McCook Daily Gazette is publishing a picture book in conjunction with McCook’s Quasquicentennial Celebration. The book will be titled “McCook Memories: Proud People, Proud Heritage.” If you are interested in purchasing a book, please call 308-345-4500.
Thank you to the Gazette and staff for the help, news and pictures we are able to obtain for the newsletter! Interested in a subscription – call them at 345-4500 or check out their website: http://www.mccookgazette.com

McCook Senior High School is cleaning out old trophies from storage because they don’t have enough room to house all the recent ones.  Anyone interested in any of these trophies may contact the Athletic Directors’ office at the high school at 308-345-5733.  The trophies are free to anyone interested.

Take Me Back To The Sixties
Take Me Back To The Fifties

Do you believe it? Who is married? You must be kidding! :)

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The McCook Community Foundation held its fourth annual Recognition Dinner on October 28, 2006 at the Republican Valley Events Center. During the evening special recognition was given to a number of groups and people.

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Thank you for your support of the McCook Educational Foundation.
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Do you have a great business idea and need the funding to get it started? Or are you a current business owner looking to expand your business?

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An opportunity to give back to McCook where meaningful friendships were made and a connection to the past is kept alive…that is the reason Robin Wilson Szwanek ‘81 decided to make a charitable contribution to the Bison Alumni Newsletter, ear tagged to provide nearly half of the 2007 salary being paid to the Assistant Director. Robin made the decision to provide a yearly cash contribution to the McCook Bison Alumni Newsletter when her employer, AARP, announced it would make a 100% match to her contribution.  Robin is grateful to receive the alumni newsletter twice a year where she can keep track of her old friends and the happenings in her home town.  Without the newsletter, she feels that her connection to McCook and her childhood would be weakened. 

Robin is the Associate State Director of Community Outreach for AARP Nebraska.  Her job allows her the opportunity to offer community events of interest to the 50+ population. Since Robin began her career with AARP in 2005, she has brought AARP activities to McCook in the form of a Medicare Part D enrollment event in May 2006 and a Voters’ Candidate Forum and Initiative 423 informational meeting in October 2006.  While coordinating these events, Robin worked closely with Sue Chipman of McCook’s Senior Center, Mary Kay Warner from UNL Extension office, members of McCook’s Retired Teachers’ Association, and AARP volunteers Russ Wood, Phil Lyons ‘74, and Leland Petsch.

Robin was glad to have this opportunity to give back to the community that shaped her during her formative years. She encourages other MHS alumni to strongly consider making a donation themselves to the Bison Alumni Newsletter which is an affiliate of McCook Community Foundation.  

Several years ago the Historical Society restored the Carnegie Library, and what was the Reference Room is now the “Schoolroom” containing McCook High School, McCook College and some UNL annuals. 

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Hey- On the burner-just waiting for the idea to get hot. The idea is about an all alumni reunion possibly in July of 2010. Remember Reunion 2000. There will have been ten more classes graduate from MHS by 2010. Hope this doesn’t make anyone feel too old to have another Big Bison reunion. If you or your class would like to explore this idea, please let the Bison Alumni newsletter staff know at jehubert@swnebr.net, through the Address Change box on our website bisonalumni.com, phone John @ 308-345-4534, or mail to Bison Alumni, 700 West 7^th, McCook.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! !

Thank you to the following people for donations of TIME OR MONEY to this volume of the Newsletter. If names have been inadvertently missed, please send a note to us and we will get it in the next letter.

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Found: The person that has the original mold for the Asphalt Angel plaque from the 60’s.  We would like to get a quantity order for the discount price. If interested contact: Ken Wells 308-340-3569, kwells@mccooknet.com  or Mike Nothnagel, 308-340-6607, asphaltangelmike@yahoo.com or Mike McGuire at 402-440-0404.