Summertime and the Living is Easy
I recently visited my small town in south central Nebraska. A flood of childhood memories came to the surface. After all, it is summer and so many adventures happened in summer when you were a kid.
This was the kind of small town where you were being babysat by no one and every one. Your schedule was predicated by street lights. And bicycles became your Ferrari to freedom.
I find great value in being raised in a smaller community. That’s why I have been so encouraged by our Nebraska communities adding to their quality of life. Here are just a few examples that have impressed me and make me want to go to there. And as Randy Bretz mentioned in his recent article on Brain Gain, potentially call it home,
Norfolk — I fell in love with the notion of place making when author of For the Love of Cities, Peter Kageyama, came to speak to Leadership Lincoln. Norfolk calls out their place making projects on their economic development page. I’m most excited about the river projects that will include a kayak trail, a feature that makes Kearney unique. (I’m also looking forward to my friend’s distillery opening.)
Red Cloud — Relying on heritage tourism, Red Cloud continues to build up their community on the good words of Willa Cather. As a new hotel nears completion, they are continuing to revitalize downtown into a tremendous destination.
On another economic development note, Red Cloud also identified early childhood development as a priority and made investments for the community to have access. Many Nebraska communities look to the Nebraska Community Foundation for assistance in improving their quality of life, Red Cloud being a tremendous example.
Wayne — Having traveled to Wayne for over 20 years to attend Launch Leadership at Wayne State College, I’ve watched Wayne transform from a sleepy college town with an annual Chicken Show into a destination with shops, a tremendous restaurant and a brewery.
Valentine — I drove out to Valentine to meet some Colorado friends because of Kinkaider Brewing (you may see a theme of my travels, but also makes these small towns destinations) just as they were opening their Lincoln taproom. I still made the trek because I wanted to see how this small community is making big adventures. Valentine did not disappoint and had more to offer than time I had.
Omaha — Okay. So this isn’t a small town but it’s worth mentioning the completion of the newly renovated Gene Leahy Mall as part of the Riverfront project. There are sure to be surprise and delight moments — a key component of place making — every time you visit, not to mention a backdrop for future amazing community events.
I’ve long been a fan of nearby adventures and love Ashland and Nebraska City. As a matter of fact Nebraska City is offering one of my favorite annual dining experiences in August, Farm to Fork. Tickets sell out in April, but join me next year for a five-course, locally-sourced meal down their main street. Now that’s place making.
Hurry! There’s still some summer left. One way to begin your exploration of the cool that is Nebraska is through the Nebraska Passport program. Get yours today and check out this year’s not-always-known tourism offerings in our great state.
