The McCook Daily Gazette has to be one of the best daily newspapers printed in outstate Nebraska. Its coverage of local issues, sporting events, and human interest stories are far and above those of most other rural newspapers. The Gazette’s photographs are awesome, its stories are award-winning and the columnists just can’t be beat. (My probationary 3-month period as a columnist is up for renewal. I figure sucking up to the boss a little can’t hurt!)
But there is another awe-inspiring newspaper published in McCook with which you may not be familiar. It’s the Bison Alumni Newsletter which goes out twice a year to McCook High School graduates. It is filled with articles reminiscing about past events in the school’s history, alumni success stories, and what is happening in the halls of the school now.
It is a newsletter that alumni members eagerly look forward to receiving every six months. It helps them remember their heritage, gives them past student exploits to laugh about, and keeps them up to date with what’s happening to fellow classmates and students.
Although the newsletter staff is made up of several volunteers who put in many long hours as a labor of love, there is one person who is the core of the staff. Without her guidance, her enthusiasm, her tact and her energy, the Bison Alumni Newsletter would have probably ceased after the first couple of issues. And that person is the subject of this Good Deeds column; Cheri Beckenhauer.
The first BAN was printed in December, 1992 and went out to members of just 10 graduating classes. An alumni member in McCook came up with the idea and encouraged other alumni to help him with the newsletter. Cheri was recruited as well; and did most of the typing, proofing and setting up of that first newsletter.
The newsletter was a hit and other classes asked to be included in the next mailing. Several ideas for articles came to the group. Suggestions were given for additional features. However, the planner and dreamer of the newsletter no longer wished to be a part of the production staff. And so, rather unceremoniously, the editor-in-chief position was placed on Cheri’s shoulders.
Most people would have cringed at the responsibility of taking on such a daunting project. But not Cheri. She gritted her teeth, rolled up her sleeves, and began the task of building a proper newsletter staff. She begged people for help. She used her charm to get alumni members to be class representatives. She called, she wrote, she corralled people on the street.
And it paid off. In another month, the 23rd issue of the Bison Alumni Newsletter will go out in the mail to over 7,000 alumni members representing 73 graduating classes. It will be at least 18 pages in length; compared to the 10 pages in the first issue. A volunteer staff of 22 will work many hours gathering information, writing articles, selling advertising, proofing and editing pages, making printing arrangements and pulling together the mailing material. And each and every one of them looks to Cheri for help, encouragement, feedback, and gentle reminders to get it done by deadline.
No one works harder, or longer, than Cheri herself. All year long she saves Gazettes to go through and cull out articles pertaining to MHS alumni members. She and her husband, Jerry, use their business office and computers to house the alumni database. She makes sure the address changes (several hundred each issue) get put in the computer. She reads and answers letters that alumni members send in to the newsletter. She chases down those elusive graduates whose addresses we don’t have. She lines up class representatives for each of the newly- graduated classes and helps them with their duties. In short, without Cheri Beckenhauer, the newsletter certainly wouldn’t be the same wonderful newsletter it is now. Plus, we’d have to add about another 6 volunteers to the “payroll” to do the work she does.
Being a proud supporter of McCook schools and its alumni is very important to Cheri. She was one of the four chairmen who helped oversee the phenomenal “Bison 2000” all-class reunion that was held that summer. She has been one of several volunteers who helped our Prairie Bull sculpture come to “life” and rest in the front yard of the High Plains museum. And she is a board member of the McCook Community Foundation, which is a non-profit group that helps raise and disperse funds for worthwhile projects in McCook. Alumni events are not the only commitment that Cheri has in this community. She has been a big supporter of the local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) chapter because of her love of children and her heart for mothers going through that stage. She was a mentor to young mothers for four years and still volunteers to do presentations and babysit during the meetings. She is also a member of PEO Chapter GY where she types and prints their annual yearbook.
Cheri is very involved as a member of the McCook Christian Church. She has taught nursery-age Sunday School in the past, was a member of the Fellowship Committee, and is presently involved as chairman of the Awareness Committee for their new church building project.
Close to Cheri’s heart is her family. She is very proud of her son and two daughters, her daughter-in-law and son-in-law, dotes over her three grandchildren, and tries to keep track of her rambunctious husband. Cheri also does the bookkeeping for their funeral home business. She has two elderly aunts in town that she checks on daily, takes shopping each week, and does the laundry for one of them. My question is: When does this woman find time to eat or sleep?
Right now is a very busy time for Cheri Beckenhauer. It is “crunch” time for this next issue of BAN, and she has lived in her office for the last two weeks; sending out emails, gathering up articles, and checking that everything that needs to be done gets done. In fact, if I’m lucky, she won’t see this article until sometime in November when her life slows down and gets back to normal. Hopefully, she won’t be too upset with me for writing this article and letting everyone in McCook know what a wonderful, dedicated woman she is. If she does get upset, then all I can say is ñ take it up with Al Cuellar, it was his idea!
Thanks for all you do, Cheri! Those of us who work with you on BAN feel blessed to know you. Your sense of humor, your gentle persuasion, and your sweet spirit make this job a much easier task. We love you!
