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High Plains Freedom Flight
VI
......the skies were blue!....and the winds were
calm.....so we flew and flew and flew!! Nine pilots took flight
and dotted the skies with their colorful presence on a beautiful
fall weekend, October 28-29. The gorgeous fall day made the colors
even more vibrant and the flights even more breathtaking for the
sponsors during the 6th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in McCook.
The Friday evening Sponsor/Pilot reception was held at the
Heritage Hills Golf Course Clubhouse where approximately 50 people
enjoyed a casual dinner buffet. A hot breakfast was served on both
Saturday and Sunday mornings by the Kiwanis Club. Sponsors then
enjoyed an appreciation banquet on Wednesday, November 29, at the
Red Willow County Fairgrounds.
The Chamber Salutes . . .
the sponsors and volunteers involved with the 6th
Annual High Plains Freedom Flight. Area residents would not have
the opportunity to experience this very unique event without the
support of both of these groups. We would like to express our
sincere appreciation for making McCook and Southwest Nebraska the
special place we all love. Gold Sponsors of the event were: Dr.
Don Blank, DDS, Drs. Dan & Kathy Farrell, Hometown Family Radio,
Jewell Wholesale Company, Kool Honda, Krepcik Studios, Kugler
Company, McCook Regional Airport, Peterson Jewelers, Red Willow
Aviation, Taco John’s, and Wagner Ford-Mercury-Toyota, Inc. Silver
Sponsors were: The Bottle Shop/Spirit Shop, Casey’s General
Stores, Edward Jones-Ron Friehe, Kleeb for Congress, McCook
Balloon Club, McCook Clinic, McCook Radio Group and Whitaker
Furniture.
The Chamber Salutes . . .
the Ag Task Force and area ag-related businesses
for their role in bringing the Ag Tour to McCook eighth grade
students on November 9. Students participated in the day-long tour
to area businesses in an effort to expose them to careers in
agriculture. The participating businesses included: Red Willow
Aviation, Olsen’s Agricultural Lab, Three Star Dairy, Tri-State
Livestock, Frenchman Valley Coop, Timmerman & Sons Feedlot, Four
Winds Animal Clinic, and Southwest Implement. We also appreciate
the cooperation of McCook Public Schools and staff for allowing us
to take the students out of their normal class schedule to
participate in this important tour.
Photo not available: Timmerman & Sons Feedlot
The Chamber Salutes . . .
KFNF, McCook Radio Group, for sponsoring special
Santa trophies for the Christmas Lights Parade which was held on
Saturday, November 25. Lighted entries are always a special treat
for young and old as we kick off the Christmas season. We also
thank Red Willow Aviation for flying Santa into the airport and
McCook Fire Department for escorting him to the parade. In
addition, we would like to express our appreciation to the McCook
Police Department for directing traffic during the parade. Last,
but not least, we must express our gratitude for Santa.
This is, of course, Santa’s busiest time of the
year so we feel very fortunate that he will be spending some time
in McCook to visit with all of our good little boys and girls. Jim
Beebe plays a large role in assuring that Santa has McCook in his
daily planner!
Bryan Loker, left, of KFNF presents trophies to
winners of the KFNF Parade of Lights, which kicked off the
Christmas season on Saturday. Trophies, continuing from left, went
to Linda Taylor of VK Electronics for best use of lights, Ken
Vontz and Darcy Eckhardt of McCook Regional Airport for best
overall float, and Sherrie Dack, Cprian Galarneau, Kathy Perry,
Tom, Karen and Krystal Anderson of the McCook Assembly of God
Sunday School and Kids Church for best use of theme. Not pictured
are Carter and Stuart Dack, Tiffany Anderson and Anita Davis.
The Chamber Salutes . . .
the area merchants who greeted our little ghosts
and goblins with special treats as they paraded the downtown
business district on Saturday, October 28. We also wish to express
our appreciation for the dedication of our volunteers who
organized the event and wholeheartedly thank McCook Daily Gazette
being our co-sponsor. Thanks to the Old Home Bread Store, Common
Scents, Holiday Inn Express, Julie Mockry and the Pepsi Company
for donating food and prizes for the children.
Merchants Plan "Holiday
Shopping Spree"
McCook merchants are going to make certain that a
lucky shopper has a VERY special Christmas! “Christmas Memories At
Home” will be ones filled with excitement for the winner selected
in a random drawing on December 11. That person (and three
friends) will be taken on an exclusive shopping trip to
participating merchants businesses to spend their $50.00 gift
certificates at each location on Saturday, December 16! Better
yet, they will be escorted on the shopping extravaganza by a
limousine and driver with a special stop for lunch at Sehnert’s
and pamper sessions for all at Hamilton’s Hair Creations/Suntanners.
What a fun-filled day for these focused shoppers as they try to
spend $1,000.00 in Christmas Gift Certificates!
Holiday Fun for Everyone!
Jim Beebe, Santa’s scheduling agent in McCook,
plans to help the Chamber and sponsoring Merchants bring the
jolly, old gent to the train depot on Saturday afternoons. The
Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Depot will be the Official
Headquarters for Santa as he checks his list (at least twice) to
make certain all of the good little girls and boys in Southwest
Nebraska have their requests granted for a Merry Christmas.
Refreshments will be served and Moms, Dads or grandparents can
register for the “Holiday Shopping Spree”! Stop by his workshop on
December 2, 9 and 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Santa will, of course,
be headed back to the North Pole on Saturday, December 23, so he
won’t be in McCook on that date.
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