Kearney, NE - A Good Place to Visit & Live

According to Bizjournals.com, Kearney is the Midwest region's 11th-best city and the top-ranked city in Nebraska. No surprise to me. I've felt Kearney is a good place to live since I came with my parents and brother over the overpass for the first time.

That was back in the early 1970's. I was in a wheelchair and very limited in what I could do. I couldn't even wheel the chair myself. I'd had one year of college at a community college near where my father had a church in Iowa. Due to circumstance much beyond his control, Dad needed to find another job.

However, high on the list of priorities for my parents when looking for a place to settle was a community that had a four year college with a journalism program so I could continue my education while getting the care I needed at home. By then, I'd set my focus on writing and had already had a few things published. We first stopped in Kearney Nebraska just to eat and move on to another possibility, but when that didn't work out, we, by family vote, returned to Kearney. It was in Kearney we felt that tug that said, "Home."

Kearney Nebraska became a very special home. The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) was more than willing to see I got to my classes. Here in Kearney I graduated in journalism. Here in Kearney I married and raised two children. Here I saw some success in my writing and speaking endeavors. Here, too, I lost my mother-suddenly--and found a community who cared. Here in Kearney Nebraska I found a doctor who went the extra mile to help me get extensive reconstructive surgery in order to walk again, and to keep walking.

Here I could let my children run and play and not worry overmuch that they'd be harmed or assaulted. The school system, for the most part, worked for not against us as parents. As the Kearney community grew, it offered more wonderful venues such as the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument and the Kearney First Tier Event Center where I finally got to see the famous Lipizzaner stallions, something I'd wanted to do since I was young and horse-crazy.

Now we take our three grandchildren to Kidzone, the Kearney Area Children's Museum, when they're in town and we get to baby-sit. We have a Cabela's Outfitter store whose exhibits of fish and animals awe our grandkids. We also live across the street from Collins Park and take the kids to play on the play equipment. This is just one of the many parks available in Kearney Nebraska.

I remember when my family first visited Harmon Park in the 70's and how the setting simply blew us away. I wondered then if the citizens of Kearney Nebraska realized the jewel they had in this city. I wonder now, do I? Do I truly appreciate what we have here and take advantage of the many opportunities this city offers all ages?

The designation of Dream City brought forth good memories and a deep appreciation for the treasure we have right here in both people, resources and opportunities. Thank you, Kearney, for embracing me so long ago.