The Chamber Salutes . . .

MNB for sponsoring “Hot Summer Nights” which makes an enjoyable, music-filled, old fashioned evening in the park available to our community and surrounding area. The popularity of the concert series is phenomenal and continues to grow each year! The Chamber appreciates the opportunity to serve old fashioned root beer floats and popcorn to add to the ‘flavor’ of the evening!

Everyone was treated to yet another beautiful evening for the MNB Hot Summer Nights concert. Concerts were held on August 3, 17 and 31 in Norris Park.		The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce scooped up old- fashioned root beer floats as well as scrumptious popcorn at the three MNB Hot Summer Nights concerts held in Norris Park through the month of August.

The Chamber Salutes . . .

Chris Wagner and his staff at Wagner Ford-Mercury-Toyota, as well as, Kevin Ord and Janet Weber of the Coppermill for popping the corn for our booth at the MNB Hot Summer Nights concerts in August. We truly appreciate your efforts and so do those who were able to enjoy the delicious snack while enjoying the evening(s) in the park!

New Teachers' Breakfast

The WalMart Supercenter is teaming up with the Chamber’s Education Committee to host the New Teachers’ Breakfast on Saturday, September 9, at 9:00 a.m. New teachers from area schools are treated to a wonderful breakfast prepared by WalMart Associates and to door prizes from area Chamber members as a way to express a warm “Welcome to Southwest Nebraska”. Approximately 30 new teachers have been invited to attend the breakfast.

Quasquicentennial

“Quasquicentennial” is ‘alphabet soup’ at its finest but the word will soon become commonplace for citizens of Southwest Nebraska as McCook makes plans to celebrate its 125th Birthday in 2007. The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce has taken a leadership role in organizing several events throughout 2007 to celebrate our rich heritage. The general steering committee has met three times in recent months to develop ideas and to determine the direction to be taken to commemorate the landmark year. To date four sub-committees have been established with each taking responsibility for one major event. The plans include an “On the Bricks” party with food and music taking center stage in downtown McCook, enhancing the Fourth of July celebration as well as Heritage Days with additional activities, and the grand finale will be a Governor’s Ball. A marketing sub-committee has also been formed to promote the events as well as determine the type of promotional items that will be made available as souvenirs. Even though the committees have been formed, there is still a great need for more people to become involved. The next meeting of the general steering committee is scheduled for September 26, 1:00 PM, at the MNB meeting room. If you are interested in one or more of the committees but cannot attend the meeting, please contact the Chamber at 308-345-3200 or via e-mail at info@aboutmccook.com.

Logo Contest

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, in coordination with McCook Postmaster, Jim Casson, is pleased to announce a logo contest for McCook’s Quasquicentennial (125th Birthday) Celebration which is scheduled for 2007. The winning entry will be used to create a cancellation stamp for use at the McCook Post Office throughout 2007. Entries in the contest can be e-mailed to info@aboutmccook.com or submitted to the Chamber at 107 Norris Avenue. Qualifying entries must be presented in a format measuring 8 ½" X 11". The winning entry will become the property of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and be reproduced on a variety of promotional items for the year-long celebration. The entry deadline is set for Monday, September 11. The winning entry will be announced on Saturday, September 23, during the entertainment at the Bandshell in Norris Park. Please review the complete rules and requirements as shown below:

McCook Quasquicentennial Celebration
Logo Contest

Objective: To create an original logo for use as a U.S.P.O. Cancellation Stamp and on multiple types of promotional items for the 125th Birthday Celebration during 2007.

Entry Deadline: Monday, September 11, 2006

Announcement of Winning Entry: Saturday, September 23, during Heritage Days

Contest Rules:

Each entry must be submitted with your name, address and daytime telephone number.

Each individual may submit up to two (2) logos for the contest.

Entries must be submitted in an 8 ½” X 11" format and may be submitted electronically or on hard copy. Contestants must keep in mind that their entry will be reduced to 2" vertically X 4" horizontally for the cancellation stamp and that variations of the logo may also be used in a larger size on t-shirts or other promotional items.

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the McCook Post Office reserve the right to eliminate any and all entries if none are found acceptable according to the rules and objectives of the contest.

All entries become property of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and may be utilized for future promotions or promotional items.

Send all entries to:

info@aboutmccook.com

OR:

McCook Area Chamber of Commerce
Logo Contest
P. O. Box 337
McCook, NE 69001

Contest Prize:
The winning entry will be featured as a U.S.P.O. Cancellation Stamp. The winner will receive the first cancelled envelope which will be displayed in a matted frame. Recognition will also be given at Heritage Days as well as in the area media.

“Hot Rod 1939 Studebaker”

This car will be raffled off this month by the North Platte Community College Automotive Technology students who built it. Custom work on the pickup includes a fiberglass body kit on a Chevy S10 chassis. The pickup has a 4.3 liter vortec engine, air, cruise, tilt wheel, American racing wheels, driver and passenger air bags, as well as, remote start, windows, door locks, and tonneau cover.

The drawing will be Saturday, September 9, during the 12th Annual Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in North Platte. Tickets will be available at the college and in McCook at “Unique Creations by Del” at 102 Norris Avenue.

For more information, please log onto www.mpcc.edu.
 

Attention: Leadership McCook Alumni

Leadership Nebraska

Early September will see the formal announcement of the State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska program and the beginning of the application period for the inaugural class. The Leadership Nebraska Council and its subcommittees have been busy with meetings and planning sessions to shape the first year’s sessions, set to begin in mid-February of 2007. Applications will be continue through mid-October, and the first class will be notified in December.

The program is aimed at persons who have demonstrated community and professional leadership experiences. We plan to offer six 1-1/2 day to 2 day sessions per year that would give class members an opportunity to develop and hone leadership skills and gain a broader understanding of issues facing Nebraska. Sessions will begin with an Orientation Retreat at Mahoney State Park, followed by the session on Public Service in Lincoln in late March, the Agriculture session in Scottsbluff in early May, the Economic Development session in Omaha in late June, the Education session in Kearney in late July and early August, and Health/Healthcare/Human Services session in Norfolk in September. A graduation ceremony will be held in Lincoln, likely in October.

The focus will be on leadership development by advancing participants’ leadership qualities and broadening their understanding of and involvement in issues and opportunities facing our state. Class members learn about the critical issues in these areas through discussions with top officials of the state, professionals in the area, field trips and experiential activities. The program cultivates a network of citizens with diverse backgrounds and experiences who represent the many geographic areas of Nebraska.

For more information on any aspect of the State Chamber’s Leadership program, please contact the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce.
(308) 345-3200 info@aboutmccook.com.