Oak Room of Columbus

06/22/2025

Let your event standout by celebrating at one of the most unique and beautiful buildings in the area.
The Friedhof Building in Historic Downtown
City of Columbus, Nebraska Government

06/21/2025

At a recent conference, a woman stood up and asked our panel “How do I get people in my town to care?” It’s a question I’ve heard a hundred times and it’s the biggest obstacle in revitalization. Because let’s be honest, it’s hard to fix a place when nobody gives a damn.

The truth is, people didn’t just stop caring. There was no mysterious gene deletion that made this generation apathetic. The people haven’t changed, the places have.

Our grandparents lived in towns that were lovable, walkable, sociable, full of character and meaning. They didn’t want to leave. The place earned their affection. It was worth caring about.

Today? The pretty buildings have been torn down for parking lots. The businesses are corporate chains. The neighborhoods are sprawling subdivisions. The sense of ownership is gone. The soul is missing.

And then we scratch our heads wondering why no one’s emotionally invested anymore.

Here’s the thing, people are responding rationally to the environment we gave them. We’ve stripped away the things that made their town lovable, then act shocked they don’t feel love.

Caring isn’t just some warm fuzzy bonus, it’s core to our health as human beings. The less we care, the sicker we become, mentally, socially, physically. We are biologically wired for connection, pride, and meaning. Without them, we withdraw, isolate, and decay right along with the places we live.

So no, stop trying to convince people to care about a place that hasn’t been cared for. That’s backwards.

If you want people to care, give them something worth caring about.

Start fixing things. Start painting. Start planting. Start cleaning, restoring, building. You don’t need 100% consensus, you need momentum.

The pendulum has swung too far. We’ve replaced bulldozers with endless meetings, and now we’re stuck. Our places are unhealthy because we’re afraid to act without everyone’s blessing. But consensus doesn’t build anything, action does.

Make the town lovable again. Reclaim ownership. Beautify the streets. Welcome local developers back in. Create gathering spaces instead of more roads.

When a place begins to heal, its people do too. Caring isn’t just the result of improvement, it’s the fuel and the reward. And it starts with all of us.

So stop asking how to get people to care more and give them more to care about.

06/21/2025

If you are coming down to Historic Downtown to enjoy Park music this year make sure to support your downtown food businesses too...
Loaded Nachos at rhe Friedhof Brickside Bar..
Only 10 bucks to-go and big enough to enjoy for two, or fill a big appetite.
Or grab a cocktail to go while enjoying the music at the Square!

06/18/2025

06/16/2025

Make your event standout by celebrating at one of the most beautiful and historic Venues in the area.
The Friedhof in Historic Downtown Columbus

06/14/2025

Our last Thursday special for only 10 bucks
Watch for our Thursday specials and also come get a burger or loaded nachos and drinks to go during park events.
Remember, there are plenty of food and drink businessmen that appreciate your support too in Dowtowm, and not just the food trucks.

06/07/2025

It is always a great day to visit the beautiful Higgins Memorial in Pawnee Park, but maybe no better time than on this anniversary weekend of one of the most monumental days in Modern World History....
A Columbus Nebraska native really did have an instrumental role in changing World History for the betterment of billions of people worldwide!

06/04/2025

Tractor Parade through our Historic Downtown Today!

06/04/2025

The Matriarch of the Friedhof Building is celebrating a Birthday today...
So please tell her Happy Birthday next time you see her!

05/26/2025

Higgins Memorial, Columbus Nebraska.
We hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend.
Thank you to all who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy!