A few years ago I made a memory trip to McCook. Mid afternoon as I was driving past the McCook Auditorium I did a double take. Quickly, as if a magnet grabbed me I hung a U-turn and parked my Acura in front of the building. As I bounded out of the car I said to no one in particular, Hey, this is a remarkable building!!

As long as I can remember I had taken this noble landmark for granted. Today, I see it as an imposing solid brick symmetrically designed structure. As I stand here staring at this institution I have to admire the art deco style that is now obvious to my mature eyes. I had never noticed. This is a work of art.

As I took the first steps up the stairway I recalled the expression, if only buildings could talk. I do know this stately building was built in the l930s, therefore, it has to have several decades of anecdotes. In the early years of the 1930s President Franklin Roosevelt was very concerned over the plight of the people caused by the depression. Farming, trade and business had fallen to dangerously low levels. He knew he had to do something to put the people to work. In l935 he established The Works Progress Administration, known as WPA. The assignment was to put to work as many of the unemployed as possible. And go to work they did. They built roads, streets, highways, parks, landing fields, recreation areas etc. . The results of this work are seen in every state. Supposedly, there were 125,110 public buildings built. This humble, homespun building, built for the masses, that we know as McCook Auditorium was one of those.

I continued climbing the steps hoping the building would be unlocked. As I entered I realized it looked just like I remembered. It did not show wear and tear. Obviously, it had aged better than I had. Maybe the old girl had had a face lift. Maybe, just maybe, she had a few tucks here and there. If so Id say she deserved it. Even if she had had some work done on her knees and elbows there is no doubt she has good bones.

Slowly I crossed the familiar lobby and continued to the wide open doors of the auditorium. It immediately dawned on me this building did not need to talk for my mind was rapidly recalling how much of my youth had been spent in this building.

As if on demand, my minds eye sees right in front of me the entire Shrine Circus. There are the three old wrinkly grey elephants with their red and green blankets thrown across their back parading around and around. The clowns in their bright colored clothes and even more brightly painted faces are entertaining everyone all over the room and all at the same time. OHHH………goes the crowd and I look up to see the trapeze artist on the swing high above my head. Back and forth she swings and then she joins a gentleman and together they swing back and forth, flip and free fall. But before they land they meet in mid-air and grab each other by the hands. Breathlessly we watch. These trapeze artists are such dare-devils. Beep, Beep, Beep here comes another clown in a crazy car distracting me from the trapeze artist. The clowns always find and distract us small children.


I was quite young when I enjoyed these trips to see the Shrine Circus in this big building. We were still living in the Stratton area and the local merchants in McCook would mail tickets to our schools. The elementary ones would close for a day so that we all could go to the circus. The back of each ticket was stamped with the name of the merchant. Mother had told us that was so we would patronize that merchant. I was tickled one year when mine was Ravenswood Dairy. I was all for patronizing anyplace that sold ice cream.

The circus is getting better. The floor is getting crowded with performers. As they pull the lion cage by me I can smell the hay in his cage. They are so close to me I hope he does not roar. I wonder where the monkeys are and the man who plays the music for the monkeys? The vendors are moving through the crowds selling trinkets, cotton candy, peanuts etc. But what we like to buy are the slimy chameleons. Even though they are slimy we are putting them on our clothes and watching them change colors. I do not think we can get them home alive. What about PETA? PETA would not approve. Is there a PETA in this day and age?

Those circuses were so exciting I thought to myself as a tear rolled down my cheek. I turned and walked back into the lobby. I slowly strolled the length of it and the music in my head started playing a swing tune.

Oh yes, I know what it is for how could I not recognize String of Pearls? The tune changes and it is Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. It is obviously World War II and the Auditorium is holding a dance for the soldiers from the McCook Air Base. We are in McCook and our parents have stopped for a short period of time so that my older sisters could go in and dance a few dances. Dad has gone in with them and Mother is here in the car with us younger kids. Thank goodness the doors and windows are open and we can hear that wonderful music. Listen, that is Tuxedo Junction that we hear playing. My sisters have that on a record at home. I have danced with my sisters in our living room to Tuxedo Junction so many times.

As I stood there that day in l993 the music in my head changed to Pennsylvania 6-5000. I was now old enough to be at a dance in the McCook Auditorium, unlike in World War II when I was a mere child and too young to attend dances. I could hear the music and my feet were itching to dance to that familiar music but I was there all by myself. I sorta two- stepped my way back into the auditorium.

I start to walk across the floor and swoosh, a basketball passes by my head. I quickly duck toward the lobby and peek back inside. Right there in front of me is my brother, Dan, playing on the Stratton basketball team in the Frenchman Valley Tournament. Naturally, we have to be here to support him and the team. I go hurrying up the South stairway to find the assigned Stratton section. It is the blue and white section that has the bulldog on its banner. We cheer loudly and follow the Stratton cheerleaders in their yells. Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar…..All for Stratton stand up and holler. It is getting so crowded. There are so many fans yelling as the game ends. I stand up and start to move toward the aisle.

Quickly I sat down again. I wanted to spend some time in this Stratton section. I wanted to soak in some memories of my pre-teen years. I settled into my seat and gazed down on the floor. Immediately, I see the Stratton High School girls drill team enter the court Right there in front of the drill team is my sister, Barbara, leading the team. Because she is one of the three leaders she gets to wear white majorette boots with blue tassels. There is no doubt she is the prettiest girl on the floor. I am so proud to have her as my older sister. The blue skirts of the drill team twirl as they turn that snappy corner. All of a sudden I realize that Patty is sitting here with me and we are giggling at some of the Stratton girls who have gotten out of step and that one poor girl who turned the wrong direction at the critical corner. Perhaps the view is too good from this height since we can see the mistakes.

Vaguely, I am now remembering of going with our parents to see the Spike Jones orchestra. Why can I not bring this vision to my mind? Was I too young? Did I fall asleep? I doubt if anyone would fall asleep while Spike Jones played. Maybe I wasnt there….maybe I had just heard about it so many times??? Too hard to think now. There was just too much whirling through my memory. Slowly, I got up and walked back down to the lobby.

Instead of feeling joyful I realized that I was feeling very melancholy about this building. I did not want to leave . I decided to go back up the stairs to sit on the north side.

Once I reach the top of the stairs and walk to the middle section I dutifully walk down 3 rows turn to the left and sit down in the fourth position on the bench. This seat is my assigned seat for every one of the l953-54 basketball games with the pep club known as The Red Peppers. I am checking in with my senior captain. Oh good, no demerits for me, I reply as soon as I complete my review. I just love this red sweater and red skirt that signifies that I am a part of the McCook High School. There is no way I will ever disgrace this uniform. Why do you suppose Mrs. Watkins has been so stern with me? Is it because she thinks I am a dumb little country girl from Stratton and I will disgrace her Red Peppers? Perhaps Mrs. Watkins will notice that I not only found my correct seat but went through the football season without any demerits. It makes me a little perturbed; however, I cannot worry about this now. The excitement is mounting.

Game after exciting game is flashing before my eyes and before I know it the season is over. I will never forget this first year and the thrill of sitting here with this eminent group. Mrs. Watkins does not ever let us forget that we are eminent. There is nothing ordinary about her Red Peppers.

Tears were once again running down my face. I got up and slowly walked down the stairway. Get a grip, Jeannie, it is only a building.

“Yeah, I guess” It is time to go back to the car.

Before I could head out the door, the sound from the floor of the auditorium tugged me over for one last look of admiration. I could not resist looking up at the Pep Club section. There is that wonderful block of McCook High School girls dressed in solid red cheering their hearts out for our McCook Bison. The roar of the crowd is getting louder and louder. I just saw someone dunk a basket. The entire pep club is standing on its feet but I cannot see me in that crowd. Then my eyes drop and there I am on the floor in front of the seating area on the right end of the cheerleading squad. There with me are Peggy, Jean, Janice and Charlene. We have on red circular skirts and white sweaters with a big M on them. This game is getting so exciting and the players are playing so much faster that we had better get out of the way. You know they do not allow much room for us cheerleaders here on the floor.

It is getting louder and louder and a quick pass to Pat ONeil and he loops it in. YEA, McCook.!! Another Basketball season of eight home games is coming to an end. Another year I am proud to be a Bison. YEA, McCook Bison!!

It was so exciting. It was all I could do to keep from jumping up and down as I stood there by myself. Maybe, I considered, I should try my skill of doing a few cheerleading moves. After all the building is empty. No one is here except me.

My thoughts continued, “If someone should see I could plead that I am an eccentric old woman.”

“No. Those days are in my past.”

Instead, I thought, I should walk across the floor toward the stage. Was I looking for excuses to stay and reminisce? Probably. There were so many memories for me here in this classy building. If I met someone they would not recognize me. If I was to tell them my name they would not remember me, thinking Im just someone off the highway looking for a bathroom.

About half-way across the floor once again a potpourri of musical notes was running through my head. What on earth was it? Pausing long enough to quiet my mind, I realize that it is medley of tunes from the various traveling concerts that I attended with my Mother. We are sitting on folding chairs that have been set up on this floor. The music is coming from the stage where these performers are entertaining us on a most pleasant evening. I am hearing the talented Rubinoff playing the violin and then a few weeks later slowly fading in I hear the delightful tenor voice of Christopher Lynch. Oh, listen there is now the sound of the Vienna Boys Choir. Last night they were in Omaha and tomorrow night they will be in Denver but tonight we in McCook get the thrill of their talents. We are so lucky we have this wonderful building so that they are willing to stop for one night to perform for us.

Closer I walk to the stage. Suddenly it is May 24, 1955. I see myself standing here wearing a black cap and gown. Mr. Bliss and Mr. Brooks are on the stage along with some other people. Everything was beginning to blur. There were so many tears in my eyes. Why was I crying? Was it because there are just so many pleasant memories? Was I really trying to be declared an eccentric old woman?

After I wiped my eyes and blew my nose I turn and slowly shuffle back toward the lobby while Pomp and Circumstance quietly echoed in my head. I walked blindly across the lobby and paused long enough to blow my nose again. Without looking back I went out the front door and stumbled down the outside steps.

Before getting into my car I looked back at this handsome building. The sun was setting behind it casting a proud glow to its art deco style. Little did I know when I stopped here a couple of hours earlier that I would relive so much of my life in this building? I paused to think, I am so glad I took time to renew my acquaintance with this lady.

She baited me with her allure of her handsome exterior and then lured me with the intrigue of my youthful days. What can I say? She is a wily old lady.

In her youth she wrapped her arms around not only this community but this entire area of the state. She made it possible that many people of all walks of life had some hours of fun and pleasure. She has been the basis of many memories for thousands of ordinary people. So many of us are so fortunate to have known her warmth. Casting my last look toward this renowned edifice I said aloud, You know what old Girl? You have excelled!”

Keep up the good work—–the next generations need you!

Jeanne Boyle Oldweiler, Class of l955
H-JOldweiler@worldnet.att.net