Holiday Shopping Spree . . .

Ho! Ho! Ho! Who wouldn’t go....on a $1,000.00 Holiday Shopping Spree??!!! Pam Schilz was the lucky winner of the “Christmas Memories At Home” drawing sponsored by 18 local businesses and the Chamber. Pam had the opportunity to invite three guests to join her for a ‘mystic tan’ session at Suntanners, a hair styling session at Hamilton’s Hair Creations, lunch at Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café followed by an afternoon filled with shopping while being escorted in a luxury limousine! Ken Foster, First Central Bank, served as the “quite dapper” driver for the entourage! The special day on December 16 was provided by the following sponsors: Eakes Office Supply, Gary’s Country Peddler, Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café, Peterson Jewelers, Browns Shoe Fit, Samway Floor Covering & Furniture, Sports Shoppe, Longnecker Jewelry, McCook Daily Gazette, D & S Hardware, Knowlen & Yates, McCook Eye Clinic, Top Office Products, Barnett’s Do-It Center, VK Electronics, Hershberger Music, Tri-State Spas, and Country Floral.

Santa helps draw the lucky winner
of the "Holiday Shopping Spree"

Pam Schilz and her three guests take a break from their
shopping spree to enjoy a lunch specially prepared by
Matt Sehnert at Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe.

The Chamber Salutes . . .

Ken Foster, First Central Bank, for sharing his wide array of talents with the Chamber. Ken played the role of our chauffeur for the “Holiday Shopping Spree” retail Christmas promotion.

As you might guess, Ken got into the spirit of the task as he even dressed the part complete with bow tie and a dapper hat perfect for the occasion! Thanks Ken!

 

Pam Schilz, winner of the $1,000.00 shopping spree,
and Ken Foster, the chauffer, pause for a moment with
the limousine before beginning the day of power shopping!

82nd Annual Chamber Banquet - February 3, 2007

Save the date, February 3, 2007, and make your plans to attend the 82nd Annual Chamber Banquet! The Banquet Committee has been busy making plans for a wonderful evening complete with the perfect decor to set the tone. The banquet will serve as the kick-off event for the Quasquicentennial Celebration so the theme is “Happy Birthday McCook!”. Tickets will be sold in advance at the Chamber office for $25.00 each. This year there will also be an opportunity to reserve a Heritage table for $250.00. Heritage table reservations provide dinner for eight with preferred seating and recognition in the banquet program with a 250 word summary of the business’ history.

Annual Banquet Auction

The Annual Banquet Auction is the perfect opportunity to showcase your business and help the Chamber at the same time. Sharleen Riemenschneider and Kristin Stagemeyer are in charge of the Auction this year and would appreciate your donated items. Even smaller items are welcome as they can be grouped with other donations to complete an auction package. We invite you to utilize this opportunity to market your business to all those in attendance. Each year your Chamber relies on a variety of fundraisers to meet budget needs. One of those is the Annual Banquet Auction. Please feel free to contact Sharleen, Kristin or the Chamber office staff to make arrangements for your donated item(s).

The Chamber Salutes . . .

everyone who played a part in bringing Santa to town for the holidays! A special thanks to Jim Beebe who handled all of Santa’s scheduling, to BNSF for hosting the Santa visits, and to the volunteers who worked at the workshop each weekend. It is a special time and we feel blessed each time we witness those special moments between Santa and his youngest fans.

It appears that a couple of Santa's elves stopped
by to check Santa's list just to be sure they were
staying on schedule!
 

We promise to be real quiet so we don't wake
all the little ones when you come to visit on
Christmas Eve! Oh...and Santa, "Would you
just bring us a couple of big ole bones
to gnaw on?"

Home & Builder's Show 2007

The 17th Annual Home & Builder’s Show is scheduled for February 16, 17, and 18 at the old Stage building which is located at the West intersection of Highway 6 & 34 and Highway 83.

Linda Frank, Show Coordinator, is looking forward to another great year. We are pleased with the response to date and anticipate that the booths will sell out early this year. If you would like the opportunity to share your home and builder products with over 3,000 people in one weekend, be certain to contact Linda at 340-7714 or the Chamber office at 345-3200. Remember that Chamber members receive a special discount price for their booth!

Photo Contest Winners Named

Balloon enthusiasts were treated with the perfect opportunity for some spectacular photography during the 2006 High Plains Freedom Flight. Many entered their pictures in the photo contest which was open to three different age divisions. Judging was finalized on December 16 with the following placings:

Junior Division - Haley Hilker, McCook, NE (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place)
Adult Division - Theresa Shiers, McCook, NE (1st Place)
Darrell Skrdlant, Norton, KS (2nd & 3rd Place)
Senior Division - Eva Hofman, McCook, NE (1st & 3rd Place)
Lee Franklin - Jennings, KS (2nd Place)

The overall Grand Prize winner was Haley Hilker. Haley will be eligible for a hot air balloon ride at next year’s event. Other winners will be given recognition with their photos posted at the www.mccookballoonfest.com website. Take a moment to visit the website and enjoy the vivid splashes of color that are the trademark of an event of this nature!